transfer of WP

Hi Everyone,

I'm here on a Work Permit, in the catering industry, which is there til 2011 Feb.
I came at the end August 2004. Initially it was for 1 and 1/2 years and got extended for 5 years.
I was planning to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the beginning of August this year as I will
completing 5 years. But, unfortunately the restaurant decided to close down.

Can anyone tell me what will be my options to get Indefinite Leave to Remain? Can I transfer my work permit to
another company willing to take me? Is there a chance of ILR if I do that?

I'm living with my Unmarried Partner, who is a British citizen, since Sep 2006. How complicated it is to apply on that basis
if Work Permit fails? I have certain bills on our joint name dating back to July 2007 and my bills on the same address from Dec 2006.

Many Thanks for your time and suggestion.

Any chance of marriage or civil partnership with your UP?  If not, then the unmarried partners visa is probably your best bet, here's some info

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/chapter13/#point%20fourteen

http://www.ukimmigration.com/family/unmarried_partners.htm

http://www.ukvisaservices.co.uk/programmes/family/unmarriedpartners/

UP won't result in permenent residence straight away (I think), but Vicky is the godess of UPs as well as WP transfers.  I am not sure these days how easy it is to transfer an existing WP with the introduction of Tier 2.  When Vicky stumbles along, I am sure she will enlighten us a bit...

Thanks Guys for the response!!

If you now apply for leave to remain as the unmarried partner of a UK national you will be granted a two year visa, at the end of which (under current rules) you will be able to apply for ILR.

If you are able to secure a Tier 2 visa now then you could apply for ILR in August as planned.

Vicky