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Settlement Protection Visa

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

6 months

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

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Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,000

Quality of Life

174/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

This route is for individuals who have been on a protection route (refugee status or humanitarian protection) in the UK for at least five years to apply for permanent settlement.

The UK Settlement Protection route lets refugees and humanitarian protection holders with at least five years on a protection route apply for indefinite leave to remain. The application is fee-free and exempt from English language requirements.

Applicants must pass a Safe Return Review, confirming the ongoing need for protection. Applications must be submitted within the last 28 days of current leave. If granted, ILR is permanent with full work rights. Dependant partners and children may apply in-line.

This visa is ideal for refugees and humanitarian protection holders approaching the end of five years of continuous UK residence who want to convert to permanent settlement.

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Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

5 years continuous residence on a protection route.

Valid BRP or digital status.

Pass Safe Return Review.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Current BRP or digital status

Passport or travel document

Evidence of continuous residence

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Fee-free
Exempt from language requirements
Direct pathway to ILR

Worth Knowing

Subject to Safe Return Review
Strict application window (last 28 days of current leave)
Failure of Safe Return Review
Suitability refusal

Application Process

Apply online via SET(P)

Attend biometric appointment

Undergo Safe Return Review

Await decision

Application Forms

Go to application portal

SET

Application to Settle in the UK on a Protection Route (SET(P))

Fill online

Verified Claims (21)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Apply online via SET(P); Attend biometric appointment; Undergo Safe Return Review; Await decision

gov.uk

Dependent Visa

Qualifying partners and children granted leave in-line can apply.

gov.uk

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee: 0 GBP

gov.uk

Fees

£0

gov.uk

Forms

SET(P)

gov.uk

Forms · 0 · url

https://www.gov.uk/settlement-refugee-or-humanitarian-protection/apply

gov.uk

Forms · SET · description

Application to Settle in the UK on a Protection Route (SET(P))

gov.uk

Forms · SET · url

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-settle-in-the-uk-form-setp

gov.uk

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,000

Quality of Life

174/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

This route is for individuals who have been on a protection route (refugee status or humanitarian protection) in the UK for at least five years to apply for permanent settlement.

This visa is ideal for refugees and humanitarian protection holders approaching the end of five years of continuous UK residence who want to convert to permanent settlement.