Although a visa is usually required for cross-border travelers, the United Kingdom has bilateral agreements with some countries and territories, allowing its citizens and residents to enter without visas and stay for a short period. ILR, referring to Indefinite Leave to Remain, is a UK permanent residence permit with which one can live in the United Kingdom permanently. In this passage, we are going to introduce visa free countries for UK ILR holder.
Travelling Outside of United Kingdom With ILR
Supposing that you have submitted an ILR application and it is being processed, you are not suggested to leave the UK, otherwise, your application will be invalidated. If you have obtained ILR and your home is in the UK, you are considered settling in this country. Therefore, you can travel abroad and re-enter the UK without extra visas. However, unlike British citizens who can travel in and out of the country without limitation, permanent residents should pay attention to the length of stay outside the UK. The PR status will become invalid if you are absent from the UK for consecutive 2 years or longer.
What Countries Can I Visit Visa-Free with UK ILR
Visa-free travel is known as one of the most attractive benefits of UK residence permits, but the entry requirements might vary from country to country depending on your nationality, visa type, etc.
UK ILR Visa-Free Countries for All Nationalities
14 countries and territories allow ILR holders to enter without visas despite their nationalities. They are covering Europe, North America, Central America, and the Caribbean Area. Duration of stay and entry requirements vary from country to country.
| Country | Length of Stay | Minimum Required Passport Validity | Other Entry Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 90 days | 3 months | / |
| Georgia | 90 days | 3 months | At least 2 blank pages in the passport |
| Gibraltar | 180 days | valid during your stay | a valid UK resident permit issued for at least 12 months |
| Montenegro | 30 days | 3 months | / |
| North Macedonia | 15 days | 3 months | a residence permit valid for 5 days longer than the expected duration of stay |
| Mexico | 180 days | valid during your stay | a residence permit valid for at least 6 months upon arrival; Proof of financial support (USD 500) |
| Republic of Panama | 90 days | 3 months | a residence permit valid for at least 6 months upon arrival;Proof of financial support (USD 500) |
| Anguilla | 90 days | 6 months | / |
| Bermuda | 30 days | valid for at least 45 days beyond the date of leaving Bermuda | residence permit valid for at least 45 days beyond the date of leaving Bermuda |
| Bonaire | 14-30 days | 6 months | / |
| Curacao | 30 days | valid during your stay | / |
| Sint Maarten | 30 days | valid during your stay | residence permit valid for at least 30 days upon arrival |
| Dominican Republic | 30 days | 6 months | a Tourist Card |
| Turks and Caicos | 90 days | 6 months | a valid onward or return ticket |
UK ILR Visa-Free Countries for Certain Nationalities
| Country | Length of Stay | Entry Requirements | Permitted Nationalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | 180 days | passport valid for at least 90 days | Andorra, Australia, Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brazil, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United States, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State |
| Aruba | 180 days | a valid passport during your stay | Bolivia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Venezuela |
| Bahamas | 90 days | a valid passport from the date of arrival | India |
| Cayman Islands | 30 days | arriving from the UK | China, India, Jamaica |
| Peru | 180 days | ILR valid for at least months | China, India |
| Philippines | 14 days | passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure | India |
| Singapore | 4 days | passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry;SG Arrival Card | India and the PRC |
| South Korea | 30 days | arriving from 26 Schengen countries, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania or UK, or arriving in one of these 30 European countries after leaving South Korea | nationalities except Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen |
Can I Travel to Europe with ILR Post Brexit?
Yes. According to the Brexit agreement implemented on January 1, 2021, British nationals and permanent residents can take short-term travel to Europe without visas and stay within the Schengen Area for no more than 90 days in total during a 180-day period. When traveling within the Schengen Area, total duration of stay in all member states must not exceed 90 days during a 180-day period, which include Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Please note that UK ILR visa free countries in Europe might require some supporting documents to allow entry, such as a passport with at least 6 months of validity, travel insurance, proof of sufficient funds and so on. Don’t forget to check the specific entry requirements of your destination countries.
Which Countries Can UK ILR Live or Work Without Visa
If you have applied for indefinite leave to remain and become British citizens, you can enjoy the same privileges as UK nationals. 5 Places allows UK citizens to live or work visa-free even after Brexit. However, a valid passport is required and some countries may require UK nationals to apply for ILR or a work permit.
| Countries | Note |
| The Common travel area (Jersey, Guernsey, Man, Ireland) | – British passport holders can live and work in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Ireland visa-free or without any permission from the regulatory authorities. |
| The Isles (Guernsey, Man) | – British passport holders can live and work in the Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Ireland visa-free or without any permission from the regulatory authorities. – Ireland is the easiest country for UK citizens to relocate due to its proximity. It allows UK citizens to travel without a visa, work without an employment permit, and access health care and social care benefits. You even can vote in general elections. |
| Gibraltar | – With a valid UK passport, you can live and work in Gibraltar for as long as you like, without requiring a visa. It applies even after post-Brexit, with or without family members. – ILR is available after 5 years. |
| Paraguay | – British passport holders can live and work in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and Ireland visa-free or without any permission from the regulatory authorities. |
| Belize | – With Belize’s 30-day temporary visa, UK nationals with ILR holders can live and work in this country for up to 30 days. – ILR is available after 5 years. |
What Happens If My ILR Is Not Valid
If your ILR becomes invalid, you must not continue residing in the country without limitation. What you should do depends on why it is invalidated.
Supposing that you lose your permanent residency due to absence from the UK for a consecutive 2 years or longer, it is suggested can apply for a Returning Resident visa which allows you to obtain the Indefinite Leave to Remain again and continue to live in the UK. To apply for it, you must prove that:
- you owned an ILR before which can be verified by a permanent biometric residence permit, stamp in your passport, etc.
- you have never asked for financial support from the Home Office to travel abroad.
- you have strong ties to the country, such as being employed, having a UK spouse, etc.
- you have been absent for good reasons during the past few years.
- You plan to stay in the UK permanently.
Please note that if you lose the status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), the returning resident permit is not available.
On condition that you lose settlement status due to deportation, things will be more complicated because you will be banned from entering the UK in the coming 10 years.
Can Indefinite Leave to Remain Status Be Revoked
Yes. Your Indefinite leave status can be taken away on the condition that:
- you are very likely to be deported but cannot be removed due to legal reasons;
- you get the ILR by deception;
- You get the ILR as a refugee and the refugee status ceases.
- Your permanent residence status will be invalidated in case that:
- you are deported from the UK, or
- You are absent from the UK for a continuous 2 years or longer, or
- You are absent from the UK for a continuous 4 years or longer when you are a Swiss citizen and gain the status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or
- You are absent from the UK for a continuous 5 years or longer when you gain the status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
How to Maintain Your ILR Visa-Free Travel Privileges
UK indefinite leave to remain holders have the privilege of traveling to over 10 countries without a visa. However, maintaining your ILR status and visa-free travel privileges requires some effort and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help keep your visa-free travel benefits:
- Make sure your ILR is still valid. You can maintain ILR status by continuing to reside in the UK. If you left the UK for more than 2 years, your ILR status can get lost.
- Renew your ILR status if necessary. If your indefinite leave to remain status will expire or has expired, you must apply for an extension or renewal before it lapses.
- Comply with immigration rules. Check the specific entry requirements of the destination country and do not exceed 90 days stay in any 180-day period. Be sure to adhere to immigration rules to avoid any issues with your ILR status.
- Report changes to your UK visa. If you have changed address, name or martial status, you should notify the UK visa and immigration department of any changes.
You also can watch video from UK visa and immigration updates and stay updated about ILR new rules in 2024.
FAQ About UK ILR
Q: Can I travel to Ireland with ILR?
A: No. You have to present a valid passport and visa when traveling to Ireland unless you are a citizen of the Irish visa-wavier countries.
Q: Do UK ILR holders need Schengen visa?
A: No, but they should bring a valid ILR biometric residence permit and passport when traveling.
Q: Can I travel to Canada with ILR?
A: No. ILR biometric residence permit is not an acceptable travel document in Canada.
Q: How do I prove my ILR status?
A: You can prove it by presenting a letter from the Home Office indicating your PR status, a stamp or a vignette (sticker) in your passport, or a biometric residence permit.
Q: Can I work in Schengen countries with UK ILR without a visa?
A: No. An extra work permit or visa is usually required to get a paid job, especially for long-term employment. However, there are times when you are allowed to take short-stay business trips or participate in specific types of work without a visa. Please check the entry requirements of your destination country before traveling.
Summary
UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) grants permanent residency and free exit/entry to the UK to the holder. Visa free countries for UK ILR holder are widely located in Asia, Latin America, Europe, etc. Some have restrictions on your nationality while some are open to all ILR holders. Additionally, the entry requirements and permitted length of stay vary from country to country. It is highly recommended to check the newest rules and regulations of the destination country before setting out, so you can get ready in advance. Last but not least, don’t stay outside the UK for more than continuously 2 years, otherwise, your PR status might be lost and you have to spend time and effort obtaining it again.
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Erin Lo