Settlement protection

In August 2005 UKBA began a new policy of granting people who had been given refugee status or humanitarian protection only limited leave to remain for five years. These people are required to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain at the end of the five years. The first cases will come to the end of their leave on August 30th 2010.

It is extremely important that people apply for ILR before their existing leave expires. If they do not then they will immediately lose all entitlements to benefits and the right to work because they will become overstayers. Also this will trigger an in depth review of their need for protection at all compared to those who apply in time who are simply asked to tick a box confirming that they are still in need of protection.

Details of how to apply can be found in the downloadable briefing.

Download the briefing (PDF)