Long Residence Solicitors

At BHD Solicitors, our specialist immigration lawyers have extensive experience assisting clients to remain in the UK under the Long Residence provisions of the Immigration Rules.

Based in London and Croydon, we have a longstanding reputation for providing practical and sensitive legal advice on a wide range of immigration matters, including the Long Residence Route.

Under this route, the Home Office in the UK allows individuals who have lived in the UK legally for a period of 10 or 20 years to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, provided they meet the relevant long residence immigration rules.

Indefinite Leave to Remain gives you the right to live, work and remain in the UK without immigration restrictions on a permanent basis. Securing Indefinite Leave to Remain can be a complex and costly process, which is why instructing a specialist immigration solicitor from the start of your case can be invaluable.

At BHD Solicitors, we understand that everyone has unique individual circumstances and can offer advice for those who may have spent periods without lawful status. Our immigration solicitors can provide professional and compassionate advice to help you navigate this visa route.

Contact our long residence solicitors in London and Croydon

For long residence guidance and a free telephone consultation, call our London or Croydon offices today on 0208 681 5128 and speak to one of our senior lawyers.

Our long residence services in London and Croydon

10 Years Lawful Residence

The Home Office allows persons who have lawfully been in the UK for a period of 10 years consecutively to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Persons who have not remained outside the UK in excess of the time limits set out in the Immigration Rules and have been of good character may be able to submit an application to UK Visas and Immigration for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

After obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain, a person may subsequently apply to become a British citizen.
Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain, also commonly referred to as ILR, are extremely expensive, and it’s always advisable to obtain Immigration advice before applying.

As Immigration lawyers, our team is very experienced at preparing ILR applications, which are submitted to UK Visas and Immigration.

20 Years Residence

People who have remained in the UK unlawfully may be able to apply to regularise their leave by applying for Further Leave to Remain.

A person who has remained in the UK for 20 years may apply for Leave to Remain even if that person’s stay in the UK has included a period(s) when they have not had leave to remain, resulting in them being considered an illegal immigrant.

If a person has been resident in the UK for less than 20 years, we may still be able to assist such a person to make an application to regularise their leave.

Our Immigration lawyers understand that applications of this nature need to be carefully put together, and we will do our best to treat they kind of application sensitively and professionally.

Frequently asked questions about long residence

What is the current qualifying period for the 10-year long residence route to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK?

To qualify under the UK long residence route, you must demonstrate that you have lived lawfully and continuously in the UK for at least 10 years. This 10-year qualifying period must consist of time spent with permission to be in the UK under qualifying immigration statuses.

Time spent without lawful leave, on immigration bail, temporary admission or similar restrictive statuses does not count towards the qualifying period. The qualifying period is calculated on a continuous basis up to the date you apply.

How is the continuous period of long residence defined by the Home Office?

The Home Office defines continuous residence as time spent lawfully in the UK without significant breaks. Periods when you held valid permission to enter or remain count towards the 10-year period.

Certain short-term permissions (such as visitor status, short-term student or seasonal worker visas) and time on immigration bail or temporary admission do not count towards long residence. Continuous residence can be affected by gaps in lawful status or prolonged absences from the UK.

What is the maximum number of days I can spend outside the UK during the 10-year period?

Under current rules, absences from the UK are subject to updated limits. For any period of your 10-year qualifying period that occurred on or after 11 April 2024, you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period.

For absences that began before 11 April 2024, transitional limits may apply, including a maximum of 184 days in any single absence and 548 days in total for that earlier period.

Do periods of stay on a Tier 4 (Student) visa count towards the long residence period?

Yes. Time spent in the UK under most visa categories, including a Tier 4 or other student visas, can be counted towards the 10-year lawful residence period, provided that the immigration status was lawful and continuous.

There is no longer a restriction excluding student visa time from long residence eligibility, simply because it did not lead to settlement. However, very short-term permissions such as visitor visas or temporary admission generally do not count.

What documents are required to prove 10 years of continuous lawful residence?

You must provide documentary evidence showing your lawful stay in the UK for each part of the 10-year period. This typically includes passports or travel documents showing entry and exit dates, visa/BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) records, and any official Home Office correspondence confirming your immigration status.

Evidence of absences, reasons for travel and periods of lawful leave are important to demonstrate that continuous residence has been maintained throughout the qualifying period.

Does a period of overstaying or unlawful residence break the continuity of the 10-year period?

Periods where you did not have lawful permission to be in the UK generally do not count towards the 10-year qualifying period and can interrupt continuity.

While certain brief periods of overstaying might be disregarded under limited Home Office concessions, unlawful residence typically breaks continuous residence and will not be included in the qualifying period for long residence.

What is the application process and current fee for the long residence ILR route?

Applications for long residence ILR are made online on the Home Office’s designated form for long residence settlement. You must submit supporting documents showing your qualifying residence, evidence of compliance with continuous residence and any required tests.

The application fee is set by the Home Office and can be substantial, reflecting the settlement nature of the application. Fees are updated regularly and must be checked on the official gov.uk website before applying.

What is the current Home Office processing time for a long residence ILR application?

The Home Office processing time for a long residence ILR application varies depending on the service level selected and the current workload. Standard processing can take several months, with optional expedited services (such as priority or super priority services) available at additional cost for faster decisions.

Exact processing times are published periodically on the official government website and may change in response to operational pressures.

What are my options if I have just missed the long residence rule due to excess travel/absences?

If you have missed the long residence qualifying period because absences exceeded the permitted limits, you may still have other options. These can include applying under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules if you have significant personal or family ties to the UK.

In some cases, it may also be possible to re-establish lawful continuous residence over time and reapply once the qualifying period is met.

Get expert advice from long residence solicitors in London and Croydon

As an established UK immigration law firm in Greater London, we can draw upon our vast resources to provide tailored, practical and affordable solutions to support you while offering a personalised and caring service.

For more information and to arrange a consultation with one of our senior UK immigration solicitors, contact your local branch in London or Croydon.