Naturalisation: PR (Permanent residence card or document) vs ILR (Indefinite leave to remain)

[moctey]

Hi,

I am given two options:
- Indefinite leave to remain (I have the IRL settled status granted in jan 2019)
- Permanent residence card or document (I acquired the status in 2015 and have the blue card)

Is there a difference between applying with one or the other option ? (pro/cons?)

[alterhase58]

Hi,

I am given two options:
- Indefinite leave to remain (I have the IRL settled status granted in jan 2019)
- Permanent residence card or document (I acquired the status in 2015 and have the blue card)

Is there a difference between applying with one or the other option ? (pro/cons?)

You could use either - as you acquired PR in 2015 you could have applied in 2016 already.
You just select under which "route" you apply because both statuses are proof that you are "free from immigration restrictions" for the purpose of naturalisation.

[Richard W]

Yes.

The advantage of using PR is that it shows that you have not been in breach of the immigration laws in the past five years. Whether this is actually an advantage remains to be seen, and may not be known for many years to come.

In general, one would have to show that an older acquisition of PR had not been lost through absence, but showing the required presence in the UK for the past 5 years also shows that you have not lost PR through absence.