Things to know about the UK 10-year long residence ILR route

Table Of Contents:

1. What are the eligibility requirements
2. Application Process
3. What are the documents required
4. When to Apply
5. How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision
6. What happens if your 10-year long residence ILR application is approved
7. Final Thoughts

Living in the UK for a long time can open the door to 10-year-long residence ILR (indefinite leave to remain). If you’ve been in the UK for 10 years continuously and legally, you might be eligible to apply for 10-year long residence ILR under the long residence route. ILR status allows you to live, work, and study in the UK without time restrictions.

Please note that you cannot include your dependents on a long residence application. Dependents must make their own sole applications if they wish to rely on the 10-year-long residence rules.

Let’s explore key things to know about the 10-year-long residence ILR route.

What are the eligibility requirements?

You may apply for immediate settlement if you meet all the requirements for settlement.

Stay for 10 Years in the UK Legally –

You must have lived in the UK for 10 continuous years lawfully. This means you have lived in the UK with a valid leave to remain. Time spent in the UK on most UK visa routes can be counted towards the 10-year qualifying period. However, if you spent time in the UK as a visitor, short-term student, seasonal worker, or immigration bail, it will not be considered for counting the 10 years of residence. If you were in the UK without permission at any point, it could affect your eligibility.

Continuous Residence –

Your 10-year stay must be without gaps. This means you shouldn’t have left the UK for more than 180 days in any 12 months.

Different rules apply for periods overseas that started before 11 April 2024. You will not have continuous residence if you were outside the UK for more than:

• 184 days in a row
• 548 days in total

Only periods outside the UK that started before 11 April 2024 count towards the 548 days. If you were away for longer, your continuous residence might be considered broken.

English Language Requirement –

Unless you are exempt, you must prove your knowledge of the English language. To prove your proficiency in English, you need to pass an approved English language test from an approved test provider to at least CEFR level B1 or higher.

Alternatively, if you have a degree or above-level qualification taught in English that might be acceptable. If you are a national of a majority-speaking country, you automatically meet the English language requirement.

Life in the UK Test Requirement –

You must pass the Life in the UK Test. This test is required to prove your knowledge of British traditions, history, and everyday life. You need to study for the Life in the UK test, as it can be challenging. Passing this test shows you’re familiar with UK culture and values.

No Criminal Record –

You should not have any serious criminal convictions. The Home Office will conduct a thorough check of your past criminal record. If you’ve committed serious crimes or have a history of immigration offenses, your application might be refused. It’s essential to be honest and provide all necessary information.

Current Immigration Status –

At the time of your application for 10 years of long residence ILR you must have held your current visa for at least 12 months. If your current visa has expired, you may not be eligible. It’s crucial to apply before your current permission ends. Being on immigration bail or having overstayed can affect your application.

Application Process

You must apply from inside the UK. You need to submit the SET(LR) form online for the 10-year-longresidence ILR route. You need to pay the application fee of £3,029. After completing the form online, you will need to book an appointment at UKVCAS to enroll your biometric information (your fingerprints and photograph).

You must not travel outside the UK while your application for ILR is being processed. If you do so, your application may be withdrawn. You must ensure all your documents are accurate and up-to-date to avoid delays.

What are the documents required?

You need to submit the following documents for the 10-year-long residence ILR route:

Current Passport or Travel Document –

You must provide your current valid passport or another official travel document to prove your identity and nationality. This helps the Home Office verify who you are and your right to reside in the UK.

All Previous Passports –

You need to submit all the passports you’ve held during your 10 years in the UK. These documents serve as evidence of your travel history and continuous residence.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa Share Code –

If you have a Biometric Residence Permit, include it with your application, even if it’s expired. If you have an eVisa, you’ll need to provide a share code to allow the Home Office to access your immigration status online.

Proof of Continuous Residence –

You need to demonstrate that you have lived 10 years continuously in the UK. For this you may submit documents such as utility bills, council tax statements, bank statements, tenancy agreements, and letters from employers or educational institutions.

Certified Translations of Documents –

If there are documents in languages other than English or Welsh, you need to get a certified translation of the documents into either of these two languages. You may be asked to submit more documents depending on your circumstances.

When to Apply?

You can apply for the 10-year long residence ILR route as soon as you meet the eligibility criteria. You don’t need to wait for your current visa to expire.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision?

Usually, it takes 6 months to receive a decision on your application for ILR based on long residence. You can use the ‘super priority’ service to get a quicker decision. With super priority service you can get a decision at end of the next working day after your appointment at UKVCAS on a weekday.

If your appointment is on the weekend, you will get a decision at the end of 2 working days. Please note that working days here are from Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.

What happens if your 10-year long residence ILR application is approved?

Once you have obtained ILR, you can live, work or study in the UK indefinitely. However, if you leave the UK for more than two years at any point, you might lose your ILR status. In such situations, you may have to apply for a returning resident visa to come back to the UK. After you have held ILR for 12 months, you may apply for British citizenship provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

Final Thoughts

Once you secure ILR you get several advantages. ILR allows you to live in the UK indefinitely and access to public funds also if you are eligible. It also allows you to work or study without any extra permission.

You can also sponsor family members to bring them to join you in the UK. Moreover, any children born in the UK after you obtain ILR will automatically be British citizens. It’s a significant step towards full integration into UK society.

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