Returning Resident Visa
Who is this visa for?
This route is for a ‘Returning Resident’, which means a person who previously had settlement in the UK which has now lapsed and who now wants to return to, and settle in the UK.
This application must be made from outside of the UK. If you make the application from within the UK, it will be deemed to be invalid and will not be considered.
What are the basic requirements?
A Returning Resident’s previous settlement in the UK must have lapsed by operation of law after they were outside the UK for a continuous period:
- of more than 2 years under the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000, or
- of more than 5 years, if they previously had settlement in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme, or
- of more than 4 years, if they previously had settlement in the UK under the EUSS as a Swiss national or a family member of a Swiss national
Armed forces, government, and British Council employees
You still have your indefinite leave to remain even after 2 years outside the UK if your spouse or partner does certain jobs. This means you do not need a Returning Resident visa.
This applies to you if your spouse or partner is a member of the British armed forces and you’ve joined them on an overseas posting.
This also applies to you if they’re a British citizen or settled in the UK and they’re a:
- permanent member of the Diplomatic Service
- UK-based British Council employee who works outside the UK
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) employee
- Home Office employee
The applicant must:
- plan to return to live in the UK permanently
- not have been given public funds to help them leave the UK
The applicant must provide enough evidence to show:
- Their strong ties to the UK – nature of those ties; extent to which those ties have been maintained during the applicant’s absence; length of their original residence in the UK; the length of time the applicant has been outside the UK – The longer they have lived outside the UK, the tougher it will be to get the visa.
- Their current circumstances and why they’ve lived outside the UK – they must have had a good reason for leaving the UK.
- Any other compelling or compassionate factors
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How long can I stay in the UK?
If an application for a Returning Resident Visa is successful, the applicant will be granted indefinite leave to enter. This means they can live in the UK with no time restrictions on their stay. The applicant will also have access to all NHS services and can eventually make an application for British Citizenship if they so choose.
Can dependants join me on this route?
No. A Returning Resident cannot bring or be joined by a partner or children on this route. Each person must qualify as a Returning Resident in their own right.
How much does it cost?
It costs £637.00 to apply for this visa.
How long does it take?
You can only apply for initial entry clearance from your country of residency, and standard processing time is 15-business days as at today’s date for this route. You may be able to pay an additional fee for the priority service, and will be given more details on this and/when you submit the application.
When should I apply?
The earliest date that you can submit the application, is 3-months before you intend to travel to the UK. Entry clearance will take effect from a date chosen by UK Visas & Immigration, who will take into account your preferred date of entry as specified on the application form.
If you require assistance with applying for a Returning Resident Visa, please contact us for a quote.
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With years of experience working in UK immigration and British nationality law, our advisors can help you understand the process and take the right steps to obtain your visa. Get in touch today.