Long Residence

Long Residence in the UK

What is Long Residence?

The 10-Year Long Residence route allows individuals who have lived lawfully and continuously in the UK for at least 10 years to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Achieving ILR status permits the holder to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely without immigration restrictions. However, dependent partners and children of the main applicant do not automatically qualify and must apply separately.

Who is Eligible for ILR Under the Long Residence Route?

To qualify for ILR based on long residence, you must:

Have Completed 10 Years of Continuous Lawful Residence:
- You must have held lawful permission to stay throughout the 10 years, excluding periods as a visitor, short-term student (English language), or seasonal worker.
- You must currently be in the UK on the date of application.
Meet the Absence Requirement:
- For absences before 11 April 2024, you must not have been outside the UK for more than 184 days at a time or a total of 548 days during the 10-year period.
- For absences after 11 April 2024, you must not be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period. Exceptions may include compelling personal reasons such as health emergencies or family bereavements.
Pass the Life in the UK Test:
- A mandatory test assessing your knowledge of British culture, history, and values (unless exempt).
Prove Knowledge of English:
- Provide evidence of English language proficiency, typically at CEFR Level B1 or higher (unless exempt).
Have a Clean Immigration Record:
- You must not have breached immigration laws or been on immigration bail during the qualifying period.

Residency and Visa Considerations for ILR

If your current visa was granted after 11 April 2024, you must have held it for at least 12 months before applying for ILR. This requirement does not apply to visas granted before this date.

Benefits of Long Residence ILR

Work and Study Freedom: You can live and work in the UK without restrictions.
Access to Public Funds: Eligibility to claim certain welfare benefits.
Path to Citizenship: Apply for British citizenship after holding ILR for 12 months.

Family Members and ILR

Dependent family members must apply separately based on their own eligibility criteria. Generally, dependents may qualify through other routes, such as family visas or the EU Settlement Scheme.

Challenges and Additional Considerations

Failure to Meet Continuous Residence Requirements: If you do not meet the requirements for continuous or lawful residence, you may qualify for leave to remain on human rights grounds, especially if you have established a private life in the UK.
Processing Time: The Home Office typically processes ILR applications within six months. Faster decisions may be available through the Super Priority Service.

Costs for Long Residence ILR

The Home Office application fee for the 10-Year Long Residence ILR route is £2,885 as of 2024.
If you choose to extend your current visa based on 10 years of lawful residence, the cost is £1,258.

Long Residence ILR provides a valuable opportunity to secure permanent residency for those who have built their lives in the UK over a decade.

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