Permanent Residence means that you have a right to settle permanently in the UK and continue living in an EU member country even if you may have different immigration status.
If you are an EU citizen who has lived in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years as a responsible person in accordance with UK visa and immigration and free movement rules, you may automatically secure a Permanent Residency or settled status.
This simply means that you must have been living for a good amount of time in the UK for at least 5 years as a worker with a work permit, self-employed person, capable person or student with complete health insurance, or be the family member of such an EU citizen.
There is no set prerequisite for you to stay in the same qualifying time for the entire duration of 5 years or have been residing in the UK for the 5 years before making your online application. As long as you have spent a total of 5 years you can secure permanent residency.
What is a 5-year continuous residence period?
You must lawfully reside in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years, in order to secure a Permanent Residence. If you are living away from the UK before the 5-year period completion and return to the UK at a much later date, you will lose all the eligible absences allowed and it will nullify all the time spent within the UK and it won’t count towards your application.
What happens if you have spent more than 6 months outside the UK?
The time period spent outside the UK which may be over 6 months does not by itself disqualify you from gaining a permanent residence. The UK visa and immigration have set forth certain guiding principles of what constitutes that time period.
Several compelling circumstances are also to be considered such as maternity leave, military service in your home country or time spent abroad which was necessary for your work or education, may be ignored by the UK visa and immigration even if you have not stayed in the UK and you have valid reasons to prove this.
However, it is imperative that you provide valid and genuine reasons and supporting documents to prove that you were staying away from the UK for a reason in order to ensure that your breaking your continuous 5-year residence in the UK is avoided.
Documentation needed while applying for permanent residence
- Salary payslips for at least 6 months old
- Your bank account details and statements
- Proof of your address
- Council tax bills or utility bills
The application process is easy and requires you to make an application online with all the supporting documents.
You must also take support from UK visa and immigration experts who will guide you through the process, can represent you, and help you achieve your immigration journey.
A Y & J Solicitors have been industry experts for more than 10 years now, they have been helping many to achieve their permanent residence and other immigration needs with their bespoke advice. If you have more blog content than write for us legal
