One of the most popular paths to British citizenship for people who weren't born in the country is naturalisation. The entire naturalisation process can be difficult and complicated, but it will be much simpler for you to apply if you are aware of the prerequisites and how the application procedure works.

Most of the foreigners entering the UK are determined to apply for citizenship or Indefinite leave to remain (ILR). A British citizen is free to live and work there permanently without facing any immigration limitations.

The process of naturalisation isn't the only way to become a British citizen. However, alternative options are typically only available to people who were either born in the UK or had a parent who was a citizen of the country. 

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain?

Permanent Residence (PR) is another name for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Foreign nationals who are given indefinite leave to remain are able to reside in the UK and work there without any limitations.

In most cases, you must have lived in the UK for at least five years before you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, though in other cases, you can do so after just three or even two years. 

The Best Routes to UK Indefinite Leave to Remain.

The foreigners residing in the UK for a certain time are allowed to apply for ILR. Here we have gone through some of the best ways through which you can stay in the country indefinitely.

Innovator Visa

The Innovator visa is designed for entrepreneurs looking to launch a new company in the UK. Most of the time, in order to invest in your business, you will need to have access to at least 50,000 EUR. You must also have a business plan that has been endorsed by an endorsing body that is innovative, viable, and scaleable.

After three years in this category, you can apply for "indefinite leave to remain" status. Although it is a little less difficult, this approach must nonetheless be carefully followed by all means if one wishes to submit an initial application for settlement. Before going for an innovator visa, you should also know that this visa restricts you to only work on your own business.

Global Talent Visa

Talented and promising candidates in the fields of science, engineering, humanities, digital technology, and the arts who want to work in the UK are eligible for the Global Talent visa. If your UK life is thriving while you are pursuing the Innovator route in the country, you may be considering making the UK your permanent residence.

In order to be eligible for this route, 

• You must be in the country for three straight years (excluding the time you spent on any other visa).
• You must be endorsed or validated by an approved body for your contribution to society.
• You must do well in the 'Life in the UK test' to prove that you have ample knowledge of the local customs and history.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Route

Once you have stayed in the UK for five years as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Migrant, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Another choice is to use the Accelerated Route to apply for ILR, in which case ILR is feasible after three years of residency.

For the accelerated route, one must create at least ten full-time jobs or have a turnover of 5 million EUR. Otherwise, the applicant may wait for five years, but still, they will have to create at least two full-time jobs. Apart from that, you should know that this visa is not being offered anymore. Still, those already utilizing it can move towards ILR.

Tier 1 investor visa

After residing in the UK for 2, 3, or 5 years, you may be qualified to apply for Tier 1 Investor ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. Depending on when your first Tier 1 Investor visa was issued and the size of your investment, you will need to meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for a Tier 1 Investor visa ILR.

High net-worth persons who make a sizable financial investment in the UK should use this ILR approach. Therefore, it should be of no surprise that the faster route to settlement is dependent on the amount of money invested in the UK. For instance,

• An investment of 10 million EUR, maintained for two years.
• Maintain a 5 million EUR investment for three years.
• For five years route, you need to invest 1-2 million EUR.
  
  

Other Ways to get the UK Citizenship

It might be way easier than you think to obtain British citizenship. It is now possible to claim nationality from your parents, grandparents, and in some situations, great-grandparents, thanks to changes to UK legislation and recent judgements. These are the various pathways to British citizenship.

• By having a spouse visa if you are married to a British citizen.
• Through adoption, if one of your adoptive parents is a British citizen. 
• Through your parents, even if you were not born in the UK.
• If you are a descendant of a British citizen.
  
  

Final Thoughts

To have a UK indefinite visa or be a citizen there is a dream for a lot of people. The good news is that the immigration rules in the UK provide a number of ways to achieve citizenship. You may choose any one of them at your convenience and wait a certain period to naturalise yourself as a British citizen.

FAQS

Is permanent resident status the same as British citizenship?

ILR gives you the freedom to live and work in the UK for an unlimited period of time, but it does not give you the same rights as a UK citizen. The ability to vote, hold public office, and seek a British passport are among these rights.

Can I travel to Europe if I have an indefinite leave to remain permit?

ILR does not grant visa-free access to Schengen countries. A person is only considered to be "truly" British when they have ILR in the UK, which is a condition for British residents to visit there without a visa.