Indefinite Leave to Remain in UK and British Citizenship

Before the law was changed, a work permit holder was qualified to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years of legal stay in UK. The current work permit holders arrived in UK under the impression - as allowed by the law - that they would be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years. But the new changes to the law require them to complete 8 years of legal stay.

The problem with this change of law is that all of the work permit holders will have to apply for renewal of their work permit and visa. With the new rules adopted for issuing the work permit and visa, it is unlikely that all existing work permit holders get their work permit and visa renewed after the intitial period of 5 years. This will result in a situation where in many of the current work permit holders will be forced to return to their home country.

Many of the work permit holders from Kerala came here after resigning from very good jobs in India and in the Middle East. After spending 5 years of legally working and supporting UK Economy - a very good period of their potential working age - it would be difficult for many to get an alternate job if they have to leave UK; especialy when the world is facing an economic crisis and growing unemployment.

Association of Reading Malayalees - ARMS - as announced on our Inauguration Day on 7th March, would like to bring this issue to the kind attention of British Government. ARMS officials have started a campaign to obtain signatures on a Memorandum, which will be submitted to the British Government through Members of Parliament.

We would kindly request all of you to support us in our efforts to bring the issue of Indefinite Leave to Remain to the kind attention of British Government.

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