Long Residence ILR
The long residence route allows people who have lived lawfully in the UK for ten continuous years to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), regardless of which visa categories they held during that period. It is a valuable route for anyone who has moved between different visa types and cannot settle under a specific five-year route.
Who Is It For?
This route suits applicants who have spent ten or more years in the UK across multiple visa categories — for example, as a student, then a skilled worker, then a spouse — and who cannot yet settle under a single-route five-year pathway.
You cannot apply more than 28 days before your ten-year qualifying period is complete.
Core Eligibility Requirements
Ten years of continuous lawful residence — Every day of the ten-year period must have been spent in the UK with valid leave. Leave includes any period of valid permission to remain, including Section 3C leave (where a timely in-time application automatically extended your existing leave pending a decision). Time spent on a visitor visa, short-term student visa, or the Ukraine Scheme does not count.
Absence limits — The rules changed significantly on 11 April 2024. The applicable limits depend on when your qualifying period falls:
- For any part of the ten-year period before 11 April 2024: you must not have been absent for more than 184 days in any single absence, and total absences before that date must not exceed 548 days
- For any part of the ten-year period from 11 April 2024 onwards: you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period
- There is no longer an overall total-days cap for absences taken after 11 April 2024
If your qualifying period spans both sides of 11 April 2024, both sets of rules apply to the respective portions of your residence. This makes absence calculation more complex for current applicants.
No gaps in lawful leave — A single period of overstay, even very brief, breaks the continuity of lawful residence and resets the ten-year clock, unless the Home Office exercises discretion.
Hold valid leave at the time of application — You must not be on immigration bail or in breach of immigration conditions when you apply.
Life in the UK Test — Mandatory for most applicants aged 18 to 64. Applicants over 65, or those with a long-term physical or mental condition preventing them from taking it, may be exempt.
English language — B1 level — Under Appendix English Language, most applicants must demonstrate English at CEFR B1 or above in speaking and listening. Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries and those with degrees taught in English.
Good character — Standard suitability requirements apply.
Fees
The standard ILR application fee in 2026 is £3,029 per applicant. A Super Priority Service (decision by the next working day) costs an additional £1,000 and is only available for in-country applications. Applicants for ILR do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Processing Times
Standard applications are processed within approximately 6 months. The Super Priority Service, where available, gives a decision by the next working day after the biometric appointment.
Building the Evidence
Long residence applications require reconstructing your full ten-year immigration history. The evidence bundle typically includes all passports (including expired ones), Home Office grant letters for each period of leave, Section 3C leave documentation, and a complete record of absences with dates and reasons.
If you do not have all your travel history, you can submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) to the Home Office, which will provide a record of immigration and travel history held on their systems. We recommend reconciling your own records against the SAR response before submitting the application.
What We See in Practice
The most common problems in long residence applications are:
- Gaps in lawful leave that were not identified until the evidence was compiled — sometimes a single day without valid leave years earlier
- Section 3C leave not being properly documented or understood
- Absence miscalculations, particularly for periods spanning the April 2024 rule change
- Applications with previous leave under different names or passport numbers that create apparent inconsistencies
Identifying these issues before submission is essential. A refused ILR application is not refunded.
Upcoming Changes
The government has indicated in principle that it intends to replace the current ILR framework with an Earned Settlement model. While the long residence rules remain in force, the reform proposals mean timing matters more than ever for applicants close to their qualifying date.
How JPS Can Help
We carry out a detailed pre-application review of your immigration history, calculate your qualifying period accurately, and prepare a complete evidence bundle. Where gaps or complications exist, we advise on whether and how they can be addressed before the application is submitted. Once ILR is granted, many clients go on to apply for British citizenship.
IAA-Regulated Immigration Adviser & Founder, JPS Immigration
Former UK Home Office Immigration Officer & British Diplomatic Service Entry Clearance Officer
22+ years’ experience | BBC News contributor | LinkedIn profile
Immigration rules change frequently — always verify current fees and thresholds on GOV.UK before applying.
Government fees change without notice. Always verify at GOV.UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine different visa types towards the ten years?
Yes. The long residence route allows any combination of lawful leave — student, skilled worker, spouse, graduate, and others — provided each period was held lawfully and continuously.
What happens if I exceeded the absence limits?
Exceeding the limits generally breaks continuous residence and resets the clock. However, absences due to circumstances beyond your control (such as emergencies or crises) may be disregarded if adequately evidenced. Legal advice is essential in these cases.
Does time spent on a visitor visa count?
No. Visitor visa time is expressly excluded from the qualifying period.
Can I apply if I have a pending application elsewhere?
The application must be made in the UK, and you must hold valid leave at the time of application. If you have a pending in-time application generating Section 3C leave, the position is more complex and we advise seeking guidance before applying.
