IRL validity after more than two years outside of the UK because of Covid travel restrictions

Hi all,

A relative has has had an ILR for a long time, but then she moved to Singapore and has been there for a few years now. She had been travelling back to the UK every couple of years to make sure that her ILR didn't expire and was meant to come back last year to keep it valid. However, because of Covid travel restrictions she was unable to do so (Singapore relaxed rules for those travelling to the UK only last week), which technically means that her ILR is no longer valid.

I've had a look at this thread, but this guidance seems to be over a year old and I'm not sure it would apply to her anyway.

Does anyone know if there has been any consideration for people in such a situation and what they can do to renew their ILR?

Thanks a s always

ILR is granted for the purpose of settlement in the UK. If you choose to settle somewhere else and spend most of your time there, then the ILR status can be taken from you. If someone with ILR has not returned for more than 24 months then their ILR is automatically lost. To get it back they must prove they have strong ties to the UK and that they want to return to settle here. For this, they must apply for a returning resident visa: https://www.gov.uk/returning-resident-visa

Please note short visits to the UK do not necessarily maintain your ILR status: general-uk-immigration-forum/keeping-il ... l#p2037249

Also, note that arguments regarding COVID restrictions and travel are often baseless. The UK border has never been shut and residents had full freedom to return, maybe not directly but often via a third country. COVID restrictions only started appearing in early 2020. Nothing prevented the settled residents to return until then and even during the period of relaxation of COVID restrictions (e.g summer 2020). She cannot simply use the COVID excuse in the hope to get her ILR status back. She must prove strong ties to the UK and an intention to return here to settle.

Hmmm. Thanks. Was afraid that was the case but wanted to check just in case.