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United Kingdom · Residence-based status

United Kingdom Returning Resident

5 facts quoted from the official source

Return to settle after previous indefinite UK residence has lapsed through absence.

Route type
Residence-based status
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
2
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

2 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Prior immigration or residence statusThe applicant must previously have held indefinite leave and must show sufficiently strong ties and an intention to make the UK the permanent home.
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Passport or travel-document requirementThe applicant must provide a valid passport or other travel document that establishes identity and nationality.
Also stated by the source
  • Work rightsRestored indefinite leave permits work and study without sponsorship.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Initial duration or stay ceilingA successful Returning Resident grant restores indefinite residence.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every United Kingdom route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to United Kingdom?
The official source states: Return to settle after previous indefinite UK residence has lapsed through absence.

Every answer is quoted from the official gov.uk page for this route, last read 2026-07-27.

We checked 5 points against the official source; 5 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Fees and processing time are not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source gov.ukLast read 2026-07-27 Every quote on this page is from this United Kingdom government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-27 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other residence-based status routes to United Kingdom

5 other residence-based status routes to United Kingdom.

EU Settlement Scheme — settled statusHong Kong BN(O) — Status HolderPrivate Life permissionRight of abode — eligible Commonwealth or British statusSettlement — long residence
Same category, elsewhere

Residence-based status routes in other countries

186 other countries publish at least one residence-based status route. Nearest first.

Sweden10 residence-based status routes Denmark5 residence-based status routes Ireland5 residence-based status routes Isle of Man4 residence-based status routes Norway4 residence-based status routes Estonia3 residence-based status routes

Does this route fit your numbers?

That depends on your income, savings and family — the parts of the story only you know. The free 3-minute check scores your profile against every United Kingdom route at once, this one included. Then the full United Kingdom report takes you the rest of the way.

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