How to Get UK PR for Indian Students: Guide to Get ILR UK

For thousands of Indian students, studying in the UK is a dream come true. The world-class education, vibrant culture, and global exposure are unparalleled. But for many, the journey doesn't end with a graduation cap. The next big dream is often securing a long-term future in the UK, a goal commonly known as getting the "UK PR".

The process of getting a PR for UK after completing higher education in the UK requires Indian students to transition through a series of visa routes. The process typically involves getting your degree completed, switching from a “UK Student Visa” to a “UK Graduate Route Visa”, followed by switching to the “Skilled Worker Visa”. Candidates will then be required to work and live for at least 5 years continuously in the country, legally, on an eligible visa. 

This article will walk you through the entire process of getting a PR in the UK for Indian students in a clear, step-by-step pathway. But first, let's clarify a crucial term - in the UK, Permanent Residency is officially called Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). 

Check the UK New Immigration Rules 2025.

What is UK PR?

An Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or the PR for UK grants you the right to live, work, study and apply for the associated benefits in the UK for as long as you want, without any time restrictions on your stay. It's the final step before you can apply for British Citizenship. In simple words, the Indefinite Leave to Remain is a way of “settlement” in the UK. 

Difference between the UK PR and British citizenship

The main difference between the UK PR and British citizenship is in the rights and privileges that come with each of these statuses. While a PR for UK grants you the right to live, work and study in the UK for an indefinite period of time, without needing any visa renewals, it still doesn't account you as a British national. However, if you get a British citizenship, you don't just get the title of being a British national but you get bestowed with the exclusive rights that only British citizens have, such as the right to vote, owning a British passport and travel within the UK without any obligations. 

Check: How to get a UK Student Visa from India in 5 Simple Steps?

What are the Benefits of Getting Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (or the UK PR)?

Many professionals run after getting a UK PR, but most of them rarely know the complete benefits of getting one. In this section, we will take you through the benefits of getting a PR in UK. It gives you:

• Freedom to Work: You can work in almost any job, for any employer, or be self-employed.
• Access to Public Services: You can access public funds, benefits and healthcare, just like a British citizen.
• No More Visa Applications: You do not have to apply for and pay the expense of visa renewals. With an ILR UK, you can live and work in the country for as long as you want. 
• A Pathway to Citizenship: After holding ILR for at least 12 months, you can usually apply to become a British citizen (check more details on this towards the end of this article).
• Sponsor Your Family Members to Come and Join You in the UK: On getting a PR in the UK, you can sponsor your partner, children and/or other dependent relatives to come and join you in the UK. 

Also Read: How to Apply for UK Work Visa for Indians in 2025?

Eligibility Criteria for a UK PR

You can live on an Indefinite Leave to Remain in UK on the basis of either of the following:

• the work that you do,
• your family or family member who lives in the UK on an ILR or is a British citizen,
• you are a commonwealth citizen,
• you’ve lived in the UK for 10 years, or
• you own a refugee or have humanitarian protection or Discretionary Leave. 

Since most other routes are irrelevant for Indian students who do not have any ancestral routes or family in the UK, the most suited pathway for them to get a UK PR is to go through the Skilled Worker Visa for a period of 5 years. 

Here are the general eligibility requirements for getting a UK PR for Indian students via the Skilled Worker Visa route:

1. You must have lived and worked in the country for a period of 5 years. If you have spent some time outside the UK, been a spouse or child on a visa or have had more than one visa, then you must follow some rules for the time to get counted towards the 5 years’ qualifying period. These rules are:
   • In any of the 12-month periods, you must not have spent more than 180 days outside of the UK. More information on this can be found on the UK Home Office website. 
   • Any time during these 5 years that you have spent as a partner or child on a dependent visa will not be counted. 
   • Time spent on any combination of the following visas will be counted:
     • any Tier 1 visa - except Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
     • Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker or Tier 2 (General)
     • Scale-up Worker
     • T2 Minister of Religion or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
     • International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
     • Innovator Founder
     • Global Talent
     • Representative of an Overseas Business
2. You must meet the minimum salary requirements. As per the current salary requirements for a PR for UK, you must be getting paid at least - whichever is higher from the following:
   • £38,700 a year, or 
   • The ‘standard going rate’ for the job you’re doing. 
3. You must continue to remain in demand for your job and keep meeting the minimum salary requirements even after you obtain the Indefinite Leave to Remain. 

Different Ways to Obtain a UK PR

There are two ways to obtain an ILR in the UK for Indian students. They are:

1. Via the 5-years long Skilled Worker Visa Route (Most common): Here is the overview of the step-by-step transition -
   • Student Visa → Graduate Route → Skilled Worker Visa → Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (UK PR)
2. Via the 10-year-long Residence Route: Unlike the Skilled Worker Visa route, this pathway counts the time spent on your student and graduate visa as well. This way is most suited if you have long-term plans of studying in the UK, such as you consider completing your master's as well as PhD in the UK.   

How to Get PR in UK - The Most Common Pathway for Indian Students: From Student Visa to ILR

While there are several routes to obtaining an ILR in the UK, the most popularly chosen path among Indian students involves moving from a study visa to a work visa. Here is the step-by-step breakdown.

Step 1: Complete Your Studies on a Student Visa

Your journey to get a UK PR begins with the Student Visa. The student visa allows you to study a degree-level (or above) full-time course in the UK. While this visa is your entry ticket, it's important to understand that the time spent on a Student Visa does not count towards the 5-year qualifying period for ILR on most work-based routes.

While on a student visa, your primary focus should be to successfully complete your degree from a recognised UK university. Check UK Student Visa Fees for Indian Students in 2025.

Step 2: Bridge the Gap with the Graduate Route Visa (Post-Study Work)

The job-search visa in the UK, i.e. the Graduate Route, allows you to stay in the UK for at least two years after successfully completing your course (three years for PhD graduates). During this period, graduates can look for work, live and start their own business in the UK. They do not need a job or sponsorship from a UK employer to obtain this visa. Check the 

• The main goal of this visa is to give you time to find a skilled job in the UK. You can work in almost any job during this period.
• Just like the Student Visa, time spent on the Graduate Route does not count towards the 5-year qualifying period for ILR under the Skilled Worker route. However, it's an invaluable visa for gaining UK work experience and finding a sponsored job.
• You cannot extend this visa, so make sure to find a suitable employment for yourself during this period. This period will lead you to the “Skilled Worker Visa”, the experience during which will be counted towards the eligibility for UK ILR. 
• You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa as soon as you get offered a job by a registered employer who is eligible to sponsor you for a Skilled Worker visa.

Note that you must apply for the Graduate Visa before your student visa expires. 

Step 3: Secure a Job and Switch to a Skilled Worker Visa

This is the most crucial step in your journey to ILR. To stay in the UK after your Graduate visa expires, you must find an employer who is willing to sponsor you for a Skilled Worker Visa. To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must:

1. Have a Job Offer: You need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that is a Home Office-licensed sponsor. You can find a list of registered sponsors on the official GOV.UK website.
2. Meet the Skill-Level Requirement: The job must be on the list of eligible occupations, generally requiring skills equivalent to A-level or higher.
3. Meet the Minimum Salary Requirement: You must be paid a minimum threshold salary. This is the higher of either the general salary threshold, i.e. £38,700 per year for most new applicants or the specific "going rate" for your given occupation. Note that there maybe some exceptions where the salary threshold is lower, for example, for "new entrants" (like recent graduates switching from a student or graduate visa) or those with a PhD relevant to the job.

Step 4: The 5-Year Qualifying Period on a Skilled Worker Visa

Once you are on a Skilled Worker Visa, the qualifying period for the ILR also starts, as the experience that now adds to your resume will also be counted towards your ILR. You must complete 5 continuous years living and working in the UK on the skilled worker visa. 

Note that "Continuous residence" is a strict requirement here. According to the UK Home Office rules, you cannot have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during your 5-year qualifying period.

Step 5: Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

After successfully completing 5 years of continuous residence on your Skilled Worker Visa and meeting all other requirements, you can finally apply for ILR. Note that you must not travel outside of the UK, the Channel Islands, Ireland or the Isle of Man during this period. If you travel outside any of these locations while awaiting a result on your UK PR application, then you application will be rejected/withdrawn. 

UK PR Fees for Indians

The fee to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain in UK (ILR in UK) is £3,029. This is the standard service fee, which can get you a decision on your application within 6 months.

However, basis your situation, if you need a decision early, then you can apply either for a priority service, which costs £500 and gets you a decision within 5 working days; or a super priority service, costing you £1,000. By opting for a super priority service, you will get a decision on your application by the end of the next working day (Monday to Friday). 

Requirements To Apply for the UK PR: Tests, Documents and Salary Requirements 

When you apply for ILR after 5 years on the Skilled Worker route, you must satisfy several key criteria. These are:

1. The Life in the UK Test

Candidates between the ages of 18 to 64 need to take and qualify for the “Life in the UK Test” to get a PR for UK. This is a mandatory computer-based test about British customs, traditions, history, and laws.

• When to book: at least 3 days before the due test date
• Requirements to book the test: Your permanent valid email address, debit/credit card and any accepted form of ID.
• Format: 24 multiple-choice questions.
• Duration: 45 minutes.
• Pass Mark: 75% (18 correct answers).
• Cost: £50 (subject to change).
• Action: You must book and pass this test before you submit your ILR application. You will receive a unique reference number to include in your application.

Note:- If you are under 18 years or above 65 years of age, then you do not need to take the “Life in the UK Test”. The test can also be waived off if you have a proven track record of any long-term physical or mental condition. 

2. English Language Requirement

Since you have studied, worked and lived in the UK for a period of more than 5 years, you do not need to provide proof of English proficiency. 

3. Salary and Employment Confirmation

Your employer (sponsor) must provide a letter confirming:

• You are still required for your job.
• You are still being paid the appropriate salary for that role (which must meet the ILR salary threshold at the time of your application).
• You are expected to be employed for the foreseeable future.

4. The "Good Character" Requirement

You must declare all criminal convictions, both in the UK and overseas. The Home Office will conduct background checks, and serious or recent criminal offences can lead to refusal.

5. Documents Required

Here is the list of documents that you must keep handy to apply for the PR for UK:

• Passport, BRP

• Life in the UK Test certificate

• Proof of English

• Employment letter & salary slips

• Absence records

• Police clearance (if applicable)

Checklist for Your UK ILR Application

1. Check Your Timing: You can apply up to 28 days before you complete your 5-year (or 10-year) qualifying period.
2. Gather Your Documents:
• Valid Passport and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
• Life in the UK Test pass certificate (your reference number).
• Proof of English Language ability (e.g., your UK degree certificate).
• Documents from your employer (as mentioned above).
• Payslips and bank statements to prove your salary.
• A detailed list of all your absences from the UK for the past 5 years.
• Police Clearance (if required)
3. Complete the Online Application: The form is typically the "Set (O)" for work-based routes.
4. Book a Biometrics Appointment: You will need to attend an appointment at a UKVCAS centre to provide your fingerprints and a photograph.

When Should You Apply for a UK PR as an Indian?

As an Indian, the earliest you can apply for an ILR in the UK is 28 days before the completion of 5 years period. 

Remember, apply for the UK PR before the expiration of your current visa. If your current visa expires before you apply for the UK PR, then you must get your existing visa renewed first. 

Alternative Pathway to Apply for a UK PR: The 10-Year Long Residence Route

There is another, less common route for students called the Long Residence Route. You can apply for ILR if you have been living in the UK legally and continuously for 10 years.

• Key Advantage: Unlike the 5-year route, time spent on your Student Visa and Graduate Route visa counts towards this 10-year period.
• Who is it for? This is a good option for individuals who may have spent many years studying (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD) or had a mix of different visa types that don't qualify for the 5-year route.
• Absence Rules: The continuous residence rules are stricter here. You cannot have spent more than 548 days outside the UK in total over the 10 years, and no single absence can be more than 180 days.

What happens After Your UK PR Application is successful?

If your application for a PR in UK is approved, you will get an eVisa online, which is an online record of your immigration status. The details on the process to access your eVisa online will be shared with you via email or an official letter sent to your registered address. You will generally be required to open a UKVI account for the same. 

The Final Step: Switching From ILR to British Citizenship

Once you have held ILR for at least 12 months, you can take the final step and apply for British Citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements, including residency and good character.

Tips to Improve PR Eligibility During Your Stay in the UK

Since getting a Permanent Residence in the UK after the 5 years work visa route entirely depends on the work you do and the period of your stay, here are some points that you should follow strongly to boost your chances of getting a PR:

1. Choose high-demand courses that lead to jobs on the SOL (Shortage Occupation List)

2. Build UK work experience early

3. Stay informed about immigration rule changes

4. Maintain continuous residence and track absences - as there can be no absence of more than 180 days within any 12-month period, poor record-keeping or unintentional long absences can disqualify an applicant.

This was all about “how to get PR in UK for Indian Students”. Refer to the official GOV.UK website for more detailed information as per your personal circumstances.

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