Returning residents

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

People who have indefinite leave/settled status have no limit on the amount of time they can spend in the UK. However, such people are still subject to immigration control.

When a person with indefinite leave to enter or remain travels outside the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, their leave will lapse by operation of law if they remain outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for a continuous period of more than:

  1. •

    four years, for Swiss nationals and their family members granted settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

  2. •

    five years, for all other persons granted settled status under the EUSS, and

  3. •

    two years, for anyone else

There are some exceptions to this general position, where a person’s indefinite leave does not lapse if they are absent from the UK for more than the prescribed periods set out above. There

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Immigration News

Home Office announces operational partnership with delivery giants to combat illegal working

The Home Office has announced a new operational partnership with Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to help tackle illegal working in the UK’s delivery sector. The agreement is reported to support enforcement efforts by enabling delivery firms to receive information, including the locations of asylum hotels, to help identify misuse. It also introduces enhanced security measures—such as facial verification checks and fraud detection tools—to ensure only verified users can access the platforms. The initiative forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to disrupt organised immigration crime and reduce the exploitation of vulnerable migrants by smuggling gangs. Legislative support is provided through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, which requires all employers to verify the legal working status of individuals.

Immigration cases January—June 2025 review

Immigration analysis: Adam Pipe, barrister at No 8 Chambers, reviews the key cases from January 2025 to June 2025 for immigration advisers, and explains why they are of interest. The review covers case law on ‘global assessments’ in revocation of sponsor licences, employing family members in the Skilled Worker route, Skilled Workers and voluntary work, deprivation of citizenship, Article 8 ECHR, EEA and EU Settlement Scheme matters, and Upper Tribal reported decisions over the period.

Immigration weekly highlights—24 July 2025

Welcome to the 24 July 2025 highlights from the Immigration team, which provides links to key news stories from the last week, as well as a round-up of new and updated content in Immigration.

ICIBI inspection on Home Office age assessments

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) has published inspection results reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Home Office’s use of age assessments, particularly the Irregular Migration Intake Unit and the National Age Assessment Board (NAAB). The inspection identified several improvements the Home Office can and should make to its assessment processes and practices when determining age, and to its approach to working with local authorities. ICIBI made eight recommendations to the Home Office in relation to all aspects and stages of age assessment. The Home Office has accepted all eight recommendations, several of which are said to already be incorporated into training, with some recommendations due for implementation by December 2025. A new digital platform for NAAB is also in development to improve accessibility and streamline referrals.

View Immigration by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Changes of law and policy, rights against retrospective legislation, and legitimate expectation

Changes of law and policy, rights against retrospective legislation, and legitimate expectationThe Practice Note was originally written by Dame Judith Farbey DBE.Changes to immigration law may mean that a person who applies for entry or stay under one rule or policy may have the application

Where a child is born in the UK to parents who have limited leave as refugees, and they have an

Where a child is born in the UK to parents who have limited leave as refugees, and they have an application for leave in line which is pending, are they able to leave and return to the UK despite the application not having been granted?Withdrawal of applicationsWhere an applicant has submitted an

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?What is an appeal?An appeal in insolvency proceedings is no different to an appeal in normal litigation. An appeal will be allowed only if the appeal court is satisfied that the decision of the lower court was 'wrong' or 'unjust because of a

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some
Changes of law and policy, rights against retrospective legislation, and legitimate expectation

Changes of law and policy, rights against retrospective legislation, and legitimate expectation

Changes of law and policy, rights against retrospective legislation, and legitimate expectationThe Practice Note was originally written by Dame Judith Farbey DBE.Changes to immigration law may mean that a person who applies for entry or stay under one rule or policy may have the application

Where a child is born in the UK to parents who have limited leave as refugees, and they have an

Where a child is born in the UK to parents who have limited leave as refugees, and they have an

Where a child is born in the UK to parents who have limited leave as refugees, and they have an application for leave in line which is pending, are they able to leave and return to the UK despite the application not having been granted?Withdrawal of applicationsWhere an applicant has submitted an

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?What is an appeal?An appeal in insolvency proceedings is no different to an appeal in normal litigation. An appeal will be allowed only if the appeal court is satisfied that the decision of the lower court was 'wrong' or 'unjust because of a

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some