# UK settle and citizenship visas from India

Indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship explained for Indian families: information only

Source: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/settle · Updated 2026-10-08 · Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024 · UK Visa Desk, a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, Patiala, India. WhatsApp +91 91155 80911, Mon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST.

## Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Indefinite Leave to Remain costs £3,226 and gives you the right to live in the UK without time limit. Most routes qualify after 5 years. From March 2027 the English requirement rises to CEFR B2, and the earned-settlement consultation that closed on 12 February 2026 may change the qualifying period.

Read more: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/indefinite-leave-to-remain.md

## British citizenship
British citizenship by naturalisation is the final step after settlement. You need 5 years in the UK, 12 months with settled status unless married to a British citizen, the Life in the UK test, English at B1, and good character. India does not allow dual citizenship, so your Indian passport is surrendered.

Read more: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/british-citizenship.md

## Returning Resident visa
The Returning Resident visa costs £726 (gov.uk, verified 8 October 2026) and is for a former UK settled resident who has been outside the UK for more than 2 years and lost indefinite leave to remain. There is no health surcharge. You must show strong ties to the UK and a reason for the long absence.

Read more: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/returning-resident-visa.md

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UK Visa Desk is a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, a visa consultancy licensed by the Government of Punjab, India. We are a private company, not affiliated with the UK Government, and we are not regulated by the UK Immigration Advice Authority. We serve applicants who are in India; applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated UK adviser. We do not handle work visas. Information here is general, not legal advice, and no visa outcome is guaranteed.
We do not handle UK work visas. Applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated adviser.