Can Indian nationals get ILR in the UK?

Yes. Indian nationals can apply for ILR through any qualifying route, including the Skilled Worker visa, spouse visa, long residence, or other eligible categories. India is consistently one of the top nationalities for ILR grants in the UK.

Does India allow dual nationality with the UK?

No. India does not permit dual citizenship. If you become a British citizen after receiving ILR, you will need to renounce your Indian citizenship. However, you can apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which gives you lifelong visa-free travel to India and other benefits.

Do I need to surrender my Indian passport when I get ILR?

No. ILR is a UK immigration status, not citizenship. You keep your Indian passport and Indian citizenship when you receive ILR. You only need to consider surrendering your Indian passport if you later apply for and receive British citizenship.

What documents do Indian nationals specifically need for ILR?

In addition to the standard ILR documents, Indian nationals should ensure they have their current Indian passport, any previous passports used during the qualifying period, and translations of any documents in Hindi or other Indian languages. If using educational qualifications from India, you may need a NARIC equivalency statement.

ILR for Indian Nationals: Complete Guide

Indian nationals can apply for ILR through any standard qualifying route. The most common routes are the Skilled Worker visa (after 5 years) and the spouse visa (after 5 years). India does not allow dual nationality, so if you later pursue British citizenship, you will need to renounce your Indian citizenship. However, the OCI card provides a practical alternative that maintains your connection with India.

Common ILR Routes for Indian Nationals

Indian nationals living in the UK typically qualify for ILR through one of these routes:

Skilled Worker visa: After 5 years of continuous residence on a Skilled Worker visa (or the former Tier 2 General visa), you can apply for ILR on the Skilled Worker route. This is the most common path for Indian nationals, who represent a significant proportion of Skilled Worker visa holders.
Spouse or partner visa: If you are married to or in a relationship with a British citizen or settled person, you can apply for ILR on the spouse route after 5 years.
Long residence: If you have lived continuously in the UK for 10 years on any lawful basis, you may qualify for ILR through long residence.
Ancestry visa: While Indian nationals do not typically qualify for the ancestry visa (which requires a Commonwealth grandparent born in the UK), those who do can apply for ILR after 5 years.

Document Requirements for Indian Nationals

The core ILR documents are the same regardless of nationality. See our ILR documents checklist for the full list. However, Indian nationals should pay particular attention to:

Passport history: If you have renewed your Indian passport during your time in the UK, you need to provide all passports covering the qualifying period. Indian passports are typically valid for 10 years, but if yours was renewed, keep the old one.
Translations: Any documents in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, or other Indian languages must be accompanied by certified English translations. This includes marriage certificates, birth certificates, and educational qualifications.
Educational qualifications: If you need to demonstrate English language ability through a qualification from India, you may need a UK ENIC (formerly NARIC) statement confirming the qualification is equivalent to CEFR B1 level or above.
Police clearance certificates: For ILR, you do not normally need a police clearance certificate from India. However, you may need one if you later apply for British citizenship.

The Dual Nationality Question

This is one of the most important considerations for Indian nationals. India does not permit dual citizenship under the Indian Citizenship Act. This means:

ILR does not affect your Indian citizenship: ILR is an immigration status, not citizenship. You remain an Indian citizen with a valid Indian passport.
British citizenship requires renouncing Indian citizenship: If you later decide to apply for British citizenship, you will automatically lose your Indian citizenship under Indian law when you acquire British nationality.
The OCI card is the practical solution: After becoming a British citizen, you can apply for an Overseas Citizen of India card. This provides lifelong visa-free travel to India, the right to work and study in India, and other benefits. It is not citizenship but covers most practical needs.

Many Indian nationals choose to remain with ILR rather than pursue British citizenship specifically to retain their Indian nationality. See our guide on ILR rights and benefits to understand what ILR gives you without needing citizenship.

The IHS and Indian Nationals

Indian nationals pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at the standard rate when applying for or extending their visa. In 2026, this is £1,035 per year. When you apply for ILR, you pay the IHS for the processing period only (typically 6 months at £517.50). After ILR is granted, you are entitled to a refund of any unused IHS. See our IHS refund guide for details.

Financial Requirements

The financial requirements for ILR depend on your route, not your nationality. On the Skilled Worker route, you need to meet the salary threshold. On the spouse route, you need to meet the income threshold.

Indian nationals often send money to family in India. Be aware that large regular transfers abroad may raise questions about your financial situation during the ILR application process. Keep records of any remittances and be prepared to explain them if asked.

Travel and Absences

Indian nationals frequently travel to India to visit family. When planning trips, be mindful of the ILR absence rules. On most routes, you must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying period.

Keep accurate records of all travel. The Home Office may check your travel history against your passport stamps and UK Border Force records. Direct flights between India and the UK make it relatively straightforward to track entry and exit dates.

Processing Times

ILR processing times do not vary by nationality. See our 2026 ILR processing times guide for current wait times. If you need a faster decision, consider the priority or super priority service.

For the official processing time guidance, check the GOV.UK indefinite leave to remain page.

After ILR: Your Options

Once you have ILR, you have two main choices:

Stay with ILR: You retain your Indian citizenship, can travel on your Indian passport, and enjoy permanent residence in the UK. The main risk is that ILR can lapse if you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK.
Apply for British citizenship: After holding ILR for 12 months (on the standard route), you can apply for naturalisation. This gives you a British passport but means losing Indian citizenship. See our citizenship guide for Indian nationals for the full picture.

For more on the general requirements and costs, visit the GOV.UK citizenship application page.