The UK Was Your Home. Let’s Make It Home Again.

If you held Indefinite Leave to Remain but have been away for more than two years, your status may have lapsed. We help you build the legal argument needed to restore your right to live in Britain.

Check my eligibility

I didn't know I would lose my status.

It is a common story. You moved abroad for work, to care for a sick relative, or to travel. You intended to return, but life got in the way. Suddenly, you realize your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) has lapsed because you have been outside the UK for more than two years.

Returning as a visitor is easy. Returning for good is hard. To reinstate your status, you must prove to the Home Office that your ties to the UK are still stronger than your ties to anywhere else.

This is a discretionary visa. Success depends entirely on the strength of the legal argument we build for you.

The Three Pillars of a Strong Case

1. The "2-Year" Rule (Lapsed Status)

If you have been away for less than 2 years, your ILR is likely still valid (unless you settled elsewhere). If it has been more than 2 years, your status has technically expired, and you must apply for a Returning Resident visa before you travel.

2. Proving "Strong Ties" (The Anchor)

This is the core of the application. We must prove you kept a connection to the UK during your absence. This could be property ownership, close family members (parents, siblings), financial investments, or business interests.

3. The Reason for Absence (Why did you leave?)

You must have had a good reason for leaving and a good reason for staying away so long. Whether it was study, overseas employment, or caring for family, we help you articulate a narrative that justifies your timeline.

It’s Not Just a Form. It’s an Argument.

Unlike a Spouse Visa, where you tick boxes to meet a requirement, a Returning Resident visa is subjective. The caseworker must be convinced that your 'heart' remained in the UK.

We specialize in drafting high-level legal representations that connect your personal history with Home Office policy guidance. We explain why you left, prove why you couldn't return sooner, and demonstrate why preventing your return would be unjust.

A vintage wooden desk with various old books, newspapers, and glass bottles, along with inkwells and a silver tray holding writing materials, in a dimly lit room.

 Your Path to Restoration

We dig deep into your history to find proof of your original settled status (old passports, ILR stamps, Home Office letters).

  • We dig deep into your history to find proof of your original settled status (old passports, ILR stamps, Home Office letters).

  • We draft a persuasive legal cover letter explaining your absence and arguing your 'Strong Ties' case under Appendix Returning Resident of the Immigration Rules.

  • Once granted, you receive your Indefinite Leave to Enter immediately. You land in the UK with your permanent status fully restored—no 5-year wait.

 FAQs

  • Yes. If successful, you are granted 'Indefinite Leave to Enter' (ILE). This is functionally the same as Indefinite Leave to Remain. You do not need to restart a 5-year route to settlement.

  • This is common. We can submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) to the Home Office to retrieve your old immigration records from their archives before we apply.

  • Not necessarily. Visiting as a tourist does not 'reset' the clock if you were clearly living abroad. In fact, entering as a visitor can sometimes trigger a loss of status. We will analyze your travel history to determine your legal position.

  • Maybe. If your Returning Resident case is weak (e.g., you have been away for 10 years with no ties), the Spouse Visa might be safer, even though it restarts your 5-year clock. We will advise you on the best strategic route during your consultation.

Come Home for Good.

Your history in the UK matters. Let us help you prove it.

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