Return to the UK if you had indefinite leave to remain
You may be able to come to live permanently in the UK as a 鈥榬eturning resident鈥� if you were previously settled here.
What you need to do depends on how long you were away.
If you were away for less than 2 years
You still have your indefinite leave to remain if you were away for less than 2 years.
You can re-enter the UK as long as you:
- had indefinite leave to remain in the UK when you last left
- did not receive financial support from the Home Office to leave the UK
When you travel to the UK, show the stamp, vignette or biometric residence permit (BRP) that originally gave you permission to settle here. You can show your BRP even if it鈥檚 expired.
If the stamp or vignette is in an old passport, carry both your old passport and your new passport when you travel.
If you鈥檝e accessed your eVisa (an online record of your immigration status), you can also prove your status that way.
If you鈥檝e lost your original stamp, vignette or BRP
If you do not have your original stamp, vignette or BRP, you may not be allowed to travel to the UK.
If you鈥檝e lost your original stamp or vignette and you do not have a BRP, you need to for travel to the UK. It costs 拢154.
A temporary visa allows you to enter the UK once only.
When you return, you鈥檒l need to create an account to get an eVisa.
If your BRP is lost or stolen, you鈥檒l need to report it and use another proof of immigration status to enter the UK. Check what to do if your BRP is lost or stolen.
If you were away for more than 2 years (Returning Resident visa)
You lose your indefinite leave to remain if you鈥檝e been outside the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man for more than:
- 5 continuous years, if you have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (unless you鈥檙e a Swiss citizen or their family member)
- 4 continuous years, if you have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and you鈥檙e a Swiss citizen or their family member
- 2 continuous years for anyone else
You may be able to re-enter the UK and get indefinite leave to remain by applying for a Returning Resident visa.
You may not need to apply if you or your partner are in the British armed forces, or work for certain UK government departments or the British Council.
Eligibility
You must provide enough evidence to show:
- your strong ties to the UK - for example you or your family have lived here most of your life
- your current circumstances and why you鈥檝e lived outside the UK
Family members (鈥榙ependants鈥�)
Your dependants (partner and children) need to apply separately for a Returning Resident visa if they鈥檙e eligible.
Fees
It costs 拢637 to apply.
How long it takes
Check the guide processing times to find out how long it might take to get a visa in your country.
Documents you鈥檒l need
You鈥檒l need to provide:
- a current passport or other valid travel identification
- previous passports
- a passport-sized colour photograph
- documents that prove you have ties to the UK, for example proof you鈥檝e earned income, or rented or owned property, in the UK
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
Apply
You must .
Once you鈥檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
You鈥檒l need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.
You may be able to get your visa faster depending on what country you鈥檙e in - check with your visa application centre.
Armed forces
You still have your indefinite leave to remain even after 2 years outside the UK if either:
- you鈥檙e a member of the British armed forces and have been posted overseas
- your partner is a member of the British armed forces and you鈥檝e joined them on an overseas posting
This means you do not need a Returning Resident visa.
UK government and British Council employees
You still have your indefinite leave to remain even after 2 years outside the UK if both of the following apply:
- your partner is a British citizen or settled in the UK
- they or you work for certain UK government departments or the British Council
You or your partner must be:
- a permanent member of the Diplomatic Service
- a UK-based British Council employee who works outside the UK
- a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) employee
- a Home Office employee
If either of you have one of these jobs, you do not need a Returning Resident visa.