How to Make an NTL Application

A No Time Limit (NTL) application allows individuals with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) to obtain confirmation of their status through a digital immigration record, known as an eVisa. It is intended for those whose ILR or ILE is recorded on outdated documents, such as passport vignettes or other physical formats.

Since 31 October 2024, successful NTL applicants no longer receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Instead, their status is stored digitally and can be accessed online via a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This is part of the government’s shift to a digital-only system for immigration status, which became effective from 1 January 2025 for most purposes, including proving the right to work, rent or travel.

NTL applications are free of charge and must be made from within the UK. Applicants must show that they have valid ILR or ILE and have not lost their status, for example, by spending more than two continuous years outside the UK.

Although not compulsory, an NTL application is strongly recommended for those with older forms of documentation. A digital status makes it easier to prove lawful residence and avoid disruption when accessing public services or employment.

In this guide, we look at what it means to apply for No Time Limit, as well who can apply and how to apply.

 

What is a No Time Limit application?

 

A person with ILE or ILR has no immigration time restrictions and is considered to be settled in the UK, provided they are ordinarily resident. Although previously successful NTL applicants were issued a BRP, as of 31 October 2024, applicants instead receive an eVisa accessible via a UKVI account, line with the Home Office’s shift toward replacing physical documents with digital status records.

An NTL application allows individuals in the UK with ILE or ILR to confirm their status through a secure, digital immigration record. It is available to those whose status is currently evidenced in an old-style document, such as a passport vignette, as well as to those who have lost their original documentation or lack proof of their indefinite leave status.

The NTL application process is free and voluntary. However, individuals with older forms of evidence or no documentation are strongly encouraged to apply. Obtaining a digital record helps ensure easier access to employment, housing, and public services in line with the UK’s move to a fully digital immigration system.

 

Who can make an NTL application?

 

To qualify for an NTL application, an individual must have ILE or ILR in the UK, such as those who were considered ‘settled’ on or before 1 January 1973 under section 1(2) of the Immigration Act 1971, provided they have continued to live in the UK without a break in residence.

Applicants must not have lost their ILE or ILR, for example by being outside the UK for a continuous period of two years or more since 2000. They must also remain entitled to indefinite leave, with no indication that it has been or will be revoked.

An NTL application can be made in the following situations:

 

• The individual holds indefinite leave evidenced on an old-style document, such as a vignette in a passport.
• Their original documentation confirming status has been lost, stolen, or has expired.
• They have no formal proof of their indefinite leave, for example, those deemed settled before 1973.
• They need to update personal details on their immigration record, such as a name change due to a change of identity.

 

Individuals with limited leave are not eligible to apply under the NTL route. They must apply to transfer their conditions instead. The only exception is where someone with limited leave was granted two months’ entry by a Border Force officer due to uncertainty about their indefinite leave status.

 

Benefits of making an NTL application

 

It is not compulsory to apply for digital confirmation of immigration status in the UK, but there are several practical advantages to doing so through an NTL application.

An NTL application results in confirmation of indefinite leave in the form of an eVisa, replacing older forms of proof such as passport vignettes. Individuals who apply benefit in the following ways:

 

• The eVisa provides a secure and modern alternative to physical documents, reducing the risk of loss, damage or fraudulent use.
• The digital record confirms the individual’s right to live in the UK permanently, and to work, rent property and access public services or benefits, where eligible.
• Status can be quickly and easily verified online by employers, landlords, or public bodies, providing peace of mind and simplifying everyday interactions.
• A digital status facilities smoother travel into and out of the UK, as it is recorded and accessible through the UKVI system.

 

Although applying for NTL is not a legal requirement, those with old-style documentation or no formal proof of status are strongly encouraged to apply to ensure their immigration rights are properly recorded and recognised.

 

What is the process to make an NTL application?

 

A NTL application must be submitted online from within the UK using the designated form on the GOV.UK website. As part of the application process, the applicant is required to provide biometric information and upload supporting documents.

Applicants must submit evidence of their existing immigration status, where available, such as a legacy document containing an ILE or ILR endorsement. They must also provide a form of photographic identification, such as a valid passport, UK driving licence, or national identity card. This ensures that the supporting documents relate to the person making the application.

The exact documents required will depend on the applicant’s individual circumstances. For example, those applying without documentary proof of their indefinite leave may be asked to provide evidence of long-term residence in the UK. Where there has been a legitimate change of identity, such as a name change, applicants must supply evidence such as a deed poll, marriage certificate, or statutory declaration, along with proof that the new name is in current use.

Applicants can include a spouse, partner or dependent children under 18 in the same application. However, each person’s eligibility will be assessed individually. Children aged 18 or over must apply separately.

 

What if you don’t have no proof of indefinite leave?

 

An applicant can still apply for an NTL confirmation even if they do not hold any physical proof of their ILE or ILR. The Home Office recognises that documentation may be lost, stolen or never issued, and has made specific provision for caseworkers to search internal systems and records to establish whether the applicant was granted indefinite leave.

Not being able to provide a previous passport, BRP or Immigration Status Document (ISD) does not prevent an applicant from making an NTL application or from being granted confirmation of their indefinite leave. Caseworkers will assess the information available to determine whether the applicant was granted ILE or ILR, and will need to be satisfied that the applicant has not lost that status, remains eligible, and is the same person to whom leave was originally granted.

If the applicant reports that their previous proof of status was lost or stolen, they will be expected to provide a police report or crime reference number. If a document is provided but does not clearly show indefinite leave, the caseworker will carry out further checks.

Applicants who claim to have been deemed settled on or before 1 January 1973 must show they have lived in the UK continuously since that date. This can include official correspondence or other historical evidence. Where evidence is limited, the Home Office will consider all available information and may use discretion in favour of the applicant, provided there is a reasonable basis to believe they were settled at that time and have remained so.

 

When will indefinite leave be lost due to absences from the UK?

 

ILE or ILR can be lost in certain circumstances, particularly where an individual has been absent from the UK for a prolonged period.

For those who were deemed to have acquired indefinite leave through being settled in the UK on 1 January 1973, status may have lapsed if they later left the Common Travel Area (CTA). Before 30 July 2000, indefinite leave would usually lapse automatically when a person left the CTA, and they would require a new grant of leave on return to resume their settled status. Generally, a person would have been permitted to return if they had been ordinarily resident in the UK within the previous two years.

Under current rules, as set out in section 3(4) of the Immigration Act 1971 and articles 13 to 13B of the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000, a person will lose their indefinite leave if they have been outside the UK for a continuous period of more than two years, unless one of the following exceptions applies:

 

• They have been accompanying a member of HM Armed Forces as a dependant.
• They have been living overseas with a British citizen or settled person who is in permanent employment with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Home Office, or the British Council.
• They return to the UK in circumstances where they do not require leave to enter.

 

If it is unclear whether an individual has lost their status due to absence, the Home Office may request evidence of ongoing residence in the UK. This could include documents such as council tax bills, tenancy or mortgage statements, utility bills, employer letters, payslips, P60s, education records, or letters confirming registration with a GP or dentist, including appointment dates.

 

How much is an NTL application?

 

Since 6 April 2022, NTL applications have been free of charge.

 

How long do NTL applications take to process?

 

Once a No Time Limit application has been submitted and the necessary supporting documents have been provided, the Home Office aims to make a decision within six months. In most cases, applications are decided within six to eight weeks, but delays can occur if further information is requested or where the case requires additional checks.

 

Can you apply for citizenship without an NTL eVisa or BRP?

 

To apply for British citizenship through naturalisation, applicants must show that they are free from immigration time restrictions. While it is not mandatory to hold an NTL-issued BRP or eVisa, doing so provides a clear and reliable form of evidence that the applicant holds ILR or ILE, which is required to support a citizenship application.

 

BRPs and the move to eVisas

 

Since 2022, newly issued BRPs have carried an expiry date of 31 December 2024, regardless of how long the individual’s immigration status is valid. This is part of the Home Office’s plan to transition to a digital immigration system. From 1 January 2025, individuals must use an eVisa to prove their UK immigration status online through a UKVI account.

 

Need assistance?

 

DavidsonMorris are UK immigration and nationality specialists. For expert advice on making a Home Office application, contact us.

 

No Time Limit Application FAQs

 

What is a No Time Limit (NTL) application?

An NTL application allows individuals with Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to obtain official confirmation of their status in the form of an eVisa, replacing older or lost documentation.

 

Is it mandatory to make an NTL application?

No, making an NTL application is not mandatory. However, it is strongly recommended for anyone with indefinite leave whose status is recorded on outdated documents, has been lost or stolen, or is not documented at all.

 

How much does it cost to apply?

There is no fee for making an NTL application. It is free of charge.

 

How long does the process take?

Most applications are decided within six to eight weeks, but it can take up to six months if the Home Office requests further information.

 

Can I apply if I no longer have proof of my ILR or ILE?

If you believe you were granted indefinite leave but have no physical proof, the Home Office will attempt to verify your status using historical records.

 

Will I receive a BRP?

No. Since 31 October 2024, successful applicants are issued an eVisa rather than a Biometric Residence Permit.

 

Can I include family members in my application?

You can include a partner or dependent children under the age of 18, but each person’s eligibility will be assessed separately.

 

Can I apply for British citizenship without an NTL?

Yes, but you will need to provide evidence of your indefinite leave. Having an NTL-issued eVisa makes it easier to prove your status when applying for citizenship.

 

What if I have been outside the UK for more than two years?

You may have lost your indefinite leave status if you have been absent from the UK for over two continuous years. However, exceptions apply, and supporting evidence may be required.

 

Do I need to apply for an eVisa if I already have a BRP?

From 1 January 2025, all individuals with immigration status in the UK must transition to an eVisa. You will need to register for a UKVI account to access and share your status digitally.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
NTL (No Time Limit)	A status that confirms an individual has indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, but no longer has a valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)	An immigration status granted to a person allowing them to live and work in the UK indefinitely without the need for further visas or immigration control.
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)	A physical card that confirms an individual’s immigration status in the UK, including their right to stay, work, or study in the country.
Home Office	The government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order in the UK.
Application Form	The official form that must be filled out and submitted to apply for NTL status or a replacement BRP.
Supporting Documents	Additional paperwork required to confirm an applicant’s identity, residency, and eligibility for NTL status.
Processing Time	The duration it takes for the Home Office to review and make a decision on an NTL application.
Fee Waiver	A reduction or exemption from the application fee, available in certain circumstances, usually based on financial hardship.
Eligibility Criteria	The set of requirements that an applicant must meet to qualify for NTL status.
Appeal	The process of challenging a rejected application decision, usually requiring legal representation or further documentation.
Application Tracking	The system used to monitor the status of an NTL application after submission, usually available online.
Legal Advice	Professional guidance provided by immigration solicitors or advisors to help applicants navigate the NTL application process.
Immigration Status	The legal standing or rights an individual holds in the UK, which can include the right to live, work, study, or access public services.
Expired BRP	A Biometric Residence Permit that has reached its expiration date, requiring the holder to apply for a replacement to maintain proof of their status.
Rejection Notice	A formal communication from the Home Office informing an applicant that their NTL application has not been successful, usually with reasons provided.