The deadline has passed
Tier 1 (General) migrants could apply for indefinite leave to remain only until 5 April 2018, and could extend their leave only until 5 April 2015. Applications for settlement on this route can no longer be made. This page explains what the route required, so that people who held the visa, and their advisers, understand the position, and what can be done now.
What settlement on the route required
- Five years’ continuous lawful residence, with no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months.
- A pass in the Life in the UK test and an approved English language test.
- The points that applied to the original grant: 75 for migrants who held Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, Writer, Composer or Artist, Self-Employed Lawyer or Tier 1 (General) leave before 6 April 2010, and 80 for those first granted Tier 1 (General) leave after 19 July 2010.
- Compliance with the conditions of stay, and no criminality or public funds.
- Time in qualifying categories, including Tier 1 (General), Tier 2, the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and work permits, could be combined to make up the five years.
What you can do now
If you did not settle before the deadline, you cannot do so on this route. The options depend on your situation and include:
- a long residence application, if you have ten years of continuous lawful residence;
- a Skilled Worker, Global Talent or other visa, then settlement on that route;
- an application on the basis of family or private life: see human rights and private life applications.
Anyone who is in the UK without permission should read overstaying and re-entry bans before doing anything else.
How we help
We review your immigration history, tell you plainly what is and is not open, and prepare the application that fits. A consultation costs from £99.
