Returning Residents Visa Application

What is a returning resident?

A returning resident is someone who, having been given permission to live in the United Kingdom with no time limit, has left the United Kingdom and wants to come back to live here again.

Important information about charges

IND is now charging for considering applications for leave to remain in the United Kingdom. This charge also applies to applications for a no time limit stamp to be put into a new passport.

The charge is £160 if you send your application by post.

The charge is £500 if you make your application in person (Premium Service).

Do I need to apply to return to the United Kingdom as a resident?

If you were settled in the United Kingdom when you last left and you have not been away for more than two years and are returning to live here permanently, you may return as a resident (unless you were given public funds to meet the cost of leaving the United Kingdom).

If you have been away for more than two years, you may still qualify to return to the United Kingdom to live if, for example, you have strong family ties here or have lived here most of your life.

However, if you have been away for more than two years, you must apply for entry clearance at the nearest British Diplomatic Post.

What is entry clearance?

Entry clearance is a visa or entry clearance certificate that you are given so that you can travel to the United Kingdom. You must apply for entry clearance to the British Embassy, High Commission or other British Diplomatic Mission (known as British Diplomatic Posts) in the country where you live.

You can get advice about which British Diplomatic Posts can issue entry clearance from any British Diplomatic Post abroad.

You can get guidance leaflets and information about visas from UK visas. Please write to:

Visa Correspondence Section
UKvisas
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom.

General enquiries: +44 (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: +44 (0)20 7008 8308
Fax numbers: +44 (0)20 7008 8359/8361

Transfer of conditions from an old to a new passport

The UK Residence Permit (UKRP) has replaced all stamp and ink endorsements for leave to remain in the UK for longer than six months.

It is no longer possible, therefore, for you to have indefinite leave to remain or enter transferred from an old to new passport at a port of entry to the UK. If you can prove your entitlement to settled status in the UK, you will receive an open date stamp in your new passport and then you will need to apply to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate for a ?No Time Limit? vignette to confirm your status.

How do I apply for transfer of conditions?

You will need to complete an application form. You can get copies of application forms from:

The Application Forms Unit
Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND)
9th Floor, Lunar Houase
Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR9 2BY

Telephone: 0870 606 7766

To apply for transfer of conditions, get form NTL (No Time Limit). You should send the completed form, by post, before your permission to stay ends. The application form will give you details of all the documents you will need to send with your application and where you should send it. There is a charge of £160 for postal applications.

All documents should be originals unless you have a good reason why you cannot produce them with your application. We will not normally accept photocopies.

If your permission to stay in the United Kingdom is running out, and you need to travel urgently, you can apply in person at one of the public enquiry offices listed on the back of this leaflet. There is a charge of £500 for applications made in person.

Must I apply for a no time limit stamp in my new passport?

If you have an indefinite leave to remain stamp in an old passport but do not wish to have it transferred to your new passport, you will need to carry your old passport and your new passport when you travel as evidence of your settled status. If are unable to produce this, there is a risk that you will be denied entry to the UK at the port of entry.