Last updated: 21 October 2026 · Reviewed by Jay Sudra, IAA-regulated immigration adviser
If you had indefinite leave to remain and have lived outside the UK for more than two continuous years, your ILR will usually have lapsed. To come back and settle, you may need a Returning Resident visa.
There is no fixed checklist to meet. The Home Office decides each application on the evidence of your strong ties to the UK and your explanation of why you lived abroad. How well that case is put together makes the difference, and we prepare it for you from start to finish.
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Is this service right for you?
We can help if:
- you had indefinite leave to remain and have been outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years
- you have EU Settlement Scheme settled status and have been outside the UK for more than 5 continuous years (4 years for Swiss citizens and their family members)
- you stayed abroad for a reason, such as caring for a relative, illness, work or study, and now want to return home
- you have already applied and been refused, and want the application done properly this time
Away for less than 2 years? You usually keep your ILR and don’t need this visa. Tell us your travel dates at your assessment and we’ll confirm.
You also don’t need this visa if you, or your partner, were posted overseas as a serving member of the British armed forces. The same applies in certain UK government or British Council roles. We’ll check this for you.
What our Returning Resident service includes
- Eligibility assessment before you pay any Home Office fee, with an honest view of your chances
- A personal evidence plan showing which documents will prove your ties to the UK in your circumstances
- A full document review: we check everything you send and fix gaps before submission
- Written representations to the Home Office, setting out your ties to the UK, why you lived abroad, and why you are returning
- Completion and submission of your online application
- Biometrics guidance for your visa application centre appointment
- Family applications: your partner and children apply separately, and we prepare those too
Ongoing support with any Home Office questions until a decision is made
How it works
1. Free assessment
Tell us when you left the UK, why you stayed away, and what connects you to the UK today. We’ll tell you whether you have a strong case and what it needs.
2. Fixed-fee quote
You receive a written quote before any work starts, so there are no surprises.
3. Building your evidence
We send you a checklist tailored to your case and review every document you provide.
4. Your representations
We write the statement that presents your case to the caseworker, linking your evidence to the points they must consider.
5. Submission and biometrics
We complete and submit your application and prepare you for your biometrics appointment.
6. Decision
We handle any Home Office queries until you have a decision.
Bringing your family back with you
Partners and children who also held ILR must each make their own Returning Resident application. Family members who never had ILR will need a different route, such as a spouse or partner visa. We’ll advise on the right route for each person and prepare the applications together, so your family’s cases are consistent.
See all our UK family visa services.
Already been refused?
A refusal isn’t always the end. We review your refusal letter, find what the caseworker wasn’t satisfied with, and advise whether a stronger fresh application or a challenge is the better option.
Read our guide to what happens after a UK visa refusal, or see our visa refusal and appeals service.
Why clients choose JPS Immigration
Every Returning Resident application is decided on discretion, so it helps to know how a caseworker thinks. Our work is supervised by Jay Sudra, an IAA-regulated immigration adviser and former UK Home Office Immigration Officer and British Diplomatic Service Entry Clearance Officer, with over 22 years’ experience.
- Regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA)
- Fixed fees, agreed in writing
- Online consultations for clients anywhere in the world
What to send us for your assessment
- Your current passport and any previous passports covering your time abroad
- Evidence of your previous ILR (for example your eVisa details, BRP or passport stamp)
- A short summary of when you left the UK, why you stayed away, and why you want to return
Not sure how to show your immigration status online? See our guide to eVisas and proving your status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to come to your office?
No. We work with clients worldwide through secure online consultations, and you can send documents to us electronically.
Can you tell me if I’m likely to succeed before I pay the Home Office fee?
Yes. That’s the purpose of your free assessment. If your case isn’t strong enough yet, we’ll tell you what would strengthen it.
Is your fee fixed?
Yes. We agree your fee in writing before any work starts.
Can you prepare my partner’s and children’s applications at the same time?
Yes. We prepare all your family’s applications together, whether each person is applying as a returning resident or through a different route.
After I’m back, can you help me apply for British citizenship?
Yes. Once your settled status is restored, we can advise on British naturalisation when you’re eligible.
Immigration rules and fees change frequently. Always check current fees on GOV.UK before applying.
IAA-Regulated Immigration Adviser & Founder, JPS Immigration
Former UK Home Office Immigration Officer & British Diplomatic Service Entry Clearance Officer
22+ years’ experience | BBC News contributor | LinkedIn profile
