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10 Years Lawful Route

  • Innovator Founder Visa
  • Sponsorship Licence
  • Self-Sponsorship Visa
  • Skilled Worker Visa
  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
  • EU Settled Status
  • Visa Processing
  • UK Ancestry Visa
  • Family Permit EU
  • Family Member Visas
  • Translation and Apostille
First British Passport
Indefinite Leave to Remain
10 Years Lawful Route
EU Settled Status

10 year long residence ilr uk - settlement after 10 years lawful residence

The 10-Year Long Residence route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) allows people who have lived lawfully and continuously in the UK for 10 years to settle permanently.

ILR – also known as settlement – gives you the right to live, work, and study in the UK without restrictions. It also puts you on the pathway to apply for British citizenship.

At LawSentis, we specialise in ILR applications under the 10-year lawful residence route, ensuring every detail of your application meets Home Office requirements.

10 year ilr requirements

To qualify for ILR after 10 years in the UK

you must show:

  • You have passed the Life in the UK Test.
  • No criminal convictions or breaches of immigration law.
  • You meet the English language test requirement (B1 CEFR speaking & listening or equivalent).
  • No overstays or unlawful periods during your immigration history.
  • Continuous lawful residence in the UK for at least 10 years.

Absences from the UK

The rules for calculating absences depend on when your 10-year qualifying period ends.

For applications where the 10-year period is completed on or after April 11, 2024:

  • The total absence limit of 540 days across the 10 years no longer applies.
  • You must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period.

For applications where the 10-year period was completed before April 11, 2024:

  • The old rules apply. You must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period and for a total of no more than 540 days throughout the 10 years.

This route is also called the long residence ILR route and is available to migrants on multiple different visas over 10 years (student, work, family, etc.), as long as residence was lawful.

When to apply for ilr after 10 years

You can apply up to 28 days before completing your 10 years of lawful residence.

Applications submitted too early will be refused. You must still have valid leave in the UK when applying.

How to apply for 10 year ilr

  • Applications are made online through the UK Home Office system.
  • You must attend a biometric appointment for fingerprints and photographs.
  • Your immigration history and absences will be carefully reviewed.

You cannot include dependants in a long residence ILR application. Each family member must apply separately if eligible.

Documents needed for ilr long residence route

To prove 10 years of continuous residence in the UK

you will need:

  • Passports covering the 10-year period with all entry/exit stamps.
  • Travel records to confirm absences.
  • Accommodation documents: tenancy agreements, mortgage, or council tax bills.
  • Employment or education records: payslips, contracts, P60s, university letters.
  • Utility bills and bank statements covering different periods.
  • GP or hospital letters to demonstrate UK residence.

All documents not in English/Welsh must be submitted with certified translations.

Ilr application fee 2025 (long residence route)

As of August 2025, the Home Office fees are:

  • ILR 10-year long residence application fee: £3,029
  • Super Priority service: £1000 (decision by next working day after biometrics, or 2 days if weekend)
  • Processing time: Standard applications usually take up to 6 months.

Once you apply, you cannot travel outside the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man until a decision is made, or your application will be withdrawn.

How long does indefinite leave to remain last?

ILR is permanent – it does not expire. However:

  • You will lose ILR if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years.
  • After holding ILR for 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship (or immediately if you are married to a British citizen).

Alternatives if you do not yet qualify

If you don’t yet meet the 10-year ILR requirements

you may:

  • Extend your current visa until you reach 10 years.
  • Switch to a different settlement route (e.g. 5-year Skilled Worker or family visa).
  • If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or their family member, you may qualify under the EU Settlement Scheme if you arrived before 31 December 2020.

How lawsentis helps with your 10 year ilr application

At LawSentis, our immigration specialists ensure your application is strong, compliant, and complete.

We help you:

  • Check your eligibility against Home Office rules.
  • Review your absences and continuous residence records.
  • Prepare a tailored checklist of supporting documents.
  • Submit your ILR application accurately and on time.
  • Advise on the Life in the UK Test and English language requirement.
  • Handle complex cases involving long absences or immigration history gaps.
  • Support with refusals or administrative reviews if necessary.

With LawSentis, you gain a trusted legal partner for your settlement journey in the UK.

Contact us today to start your 10-Year Long Residence ILR application with confidence.

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.

Book a free call back

The 10-year lawful residence route allows individuals who have lived continuously and legally in the UK for 10 years to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), regardless of the visa categories they held during that time.

Continuous lawful residence means holding valid leave to remain for 10 years without gaps, overstaying, or significant absences. Normally, absences should not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period.

Yes. You can combine time spent under different visa types, such as student visas, work visas, or family visas, as long as you always had valid leave and complied with immigration rules.

Yes. Applicants must pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirement (currently B1 CEFR, increasing to B2 from late 2025).

Yes. Once ILR is granted, you can usually apply for British citizenship after holding ILR for 12 months, provided you meet residence and good character requirements.

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