ILR Based on 10 Years Long Residence

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What is ILR Based on 10 Years Long Residence? 

The Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Based on 10 Years Long Residence route allows individuals who have lived continuously and lawfully in the UK for 10 years to apply for permanent residency.

This long residence ILR route recognises the deep ties individuals build with the UK over an extended period and offers a pathway to settle permanently—regardless of the visa types previously held. If you’ve legally resided in the UK on various visa categories for a qualifying period of 10 years, you may be eligible to apply.

Upon approval, ILR 10 years gives you the right to stay in the UK without immigration restrictions, and later apply for British citizenship.

Who is ILR 10 Years Long Residence for? 

This ILR route is for individuals who:

Have spent 10 continuous years in the UK under lawful residence

Have spent 10 continuous years in the UK under lawful residence

Have spent 10 continuous years in the UK under lawful residence

Have spent 10 continuous years in the UK under lawful residence

Have held various valid UK visa statuses (student visa, work visa, family visa, etc.)

Have held various valid UK visa statuses (student visa, work visa, family visa, etc.)

Have held various valid UK visa statuses (student visa, work visa, family visa, etc.)

Have held various valid UK visa statuses (student visa, work visa, family visa, etc.)

Have not breached UK immigration laws

Have not breached UK immigration laws

Have not breached UK immigration laws

Have not breached UK immigration laws

Have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period, and no more than 548 days total during the 10 years

Have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period, and no more than 548 days total during the 10 years

Have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period, and no more than 548 days total during the 10 years

Have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period, and no more than 548 days total during the 10 years

Are currently lawfully resident in the UK at the time of application

Are currently lawfully resident in the UK at the time of application

Are currently lawfully resident in the UK at the time of application

Are currently lawfully resident in the UK at the time of application

Meet the English language and Life in the UK requirements

Meet the English language and Life in the UK requirements

Meet the English language and Life in the UK requirements

Meet the English language and Life in the UK requirements

It applies to all applicants, including those on the 10-year route to ILR, and those combining different visa types throughout their residence in the UK.

What is the Application Process of ILR 10 Years Long Residence Like? 

What is the Application Process of ILR 10 Years Long Residence Like? 

Applying for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of 10 years long residence requires strict documentation, proof of continuity, and adherence to immigration rules.

Step-by-Step ILR Application Process

  1. Confirm Eligibility

    • Verify that you have completed 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK.

    • Review your visa history and absences from the UK.

  2. Gather Required Documents

    • Collect passports, biometric residence permits, and documentation proving lawful residence.

    • Include a detailed immigration history, evidence of your absences, and current visa status.

  3. Pass Required Tests

    • Take the Life in the UK Test

    • Meet the English language requirement (CEFR B1 or equivalent)

  4. Submit Your ILR Application

    • Use the SET(LR) form via the UKVI online portal

    • Pay the application fee

    • Upload all supporting documents

  5. Attend Biometric Appointment

    • You’ll be invited to a UKVCAS centre to provide biometric information

  6. Await a Decision

    • Standard processing takes up to 6 months

    • A super priority service may be available for a decision within 24 hours.

What Are the Requirements for ILR Based on 10-Year Long Residence? 

To successfully apply for ILR 10 years, you must satisfy all criteria under the long residence route.

1. 10 Years of Continuous Lawful Residence

You must:

Have lived in the UK lawfully for 10 continuous years

Have lived in the UK lawfully for 10 continuous years

Have lived in the UK lawfully for 10 continuous years

Have lived in the UK lawfully for 10 continuous years

Be under valid UK immigration control during that period

Be under valid UK immigration control during that period

Be under valid UK immigration control during that period

Be under valid UK immigration control during that period

Avoid absences of more than:

180 days in any 12-month period

180 days in any 12-month period

180 days in any 12-month period

180 days in any 12-month period

548 days total across 10 years

548 days total across 10 years

548 days total across 10 years

548 days total across 10 years

Lawful residence can include time spent on:

Student visa

Student visa

Student visa

Student visa

Skilled worker visa

Skilled worker visa

Skilled worker visa

Skilled worker visa

Tier 1, Tier 2 visas

Tier 1, Tier 2 visas

Tier 1, Tier 2 visas

Tier 1, Tier 2 visas

Family visa

Family visa

Family visa

Family visa

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Any other valid leave to remain

Any other valid leave to remain

Any other valid leave to remain

Any other valid leave to remain

Time spent illegally or with gaps between visas may disqualify you.

2. Immigration Compliance

You must have not breached immigration rules during the 10 years

You must have not breached immigration rules during the 10 years

You must have not breached immigration rules during the 10 years

You must have not breached immigration rules during the 10 years

You must be in the UK lawfully when applying

You must be in the UK lawfully when applying

You must be in the UK lawfully when applying

You must be in the UK lawfully when applying

You must not be exempt from immigration control (e.g., diplomats, armed forces without settled status)

You must not be exempt from immigration control (e.g., diplomats, armed forces without settled status)

You must not be exempt from immigration control (e.g., diplomats, armed forces without settled status)

You must not be exempt from immigration control (e.g., diplomats, armed forces without settled status)

3. Life in the UK Test

A multiple-choice test covering UK history, law, and culture

A multiple-choice test covering UK history, law, and culture

A multiple-choice test covering UK history, law, and culture

A multiple-choice test covering UK history, law, and culture

Required for most applicants unless exempt

Required for most applicants unless exempt

Required for most applicants unless exempt

Required for most applicants unless exempt

4. English Language Requirement

You must:

Demonstrate B1 level English speaking and listening skills

Demonstrate B1 level English speaking and listening skills

Demonstrate B1 level English speaking and listening skills

Demonstrate B1 level English speaking and listening skills

Provide a recognised English language test, UK degree certificate, or nationality from an English-speaking country

Provide a recognised English language test, UK degree certificate, or nationality from an English-speaking country

Provide a recognised English language test, UK degree certificate, or nationality from an English-speaking country

Provide a recognised English language test, UK degree certificate, or nationality from an English-speaking country

Key Benefits of ILR on the Basis of Long Residence

Gaining Indefinite Leave to Remain after 10 years in the UK provides:

Permanent residence with no need for future visa renewals

Permanent residence with no need for future visa renewals

Permanent residence with no need for future visa renewals

Permanent residence with no need for future visa renewals

The right to live and work in the UK without restrictions

The right to live and work in the UK without restrictions

The right to live and work in the UK without restrictions

The right to live and work in the UK without restrictions

Access to NHS healthcare, public funds, and education

Access to NHS healthcare, public funds, and education

Access to NHS healthcare, public funds, and education

Access to NHS healthcare, public funds, and education

Eligibility to apply for British citizenship after 12 months with ILR

Eligibility to apply for British citizenship after 12 months with ILR

Eligibility to apply for British citizenship after 12 months with ILR

Eligibility to apply for British citizenship after 12 months with ILR

Easier ability to sponsor family members to join you

Easier ability to sponsor family members to join you

Easier ability to sponsor family members to join you

Easier ability to sponsor family members to join you

Full freedom to travel and return to the UK at will (unless absent for more than 2 years)

Full freedom to travel and return to the UK at will (unless absent for more than 2 years)

Full freedom to travel and return to the UK at will (unless absent for more than 2 years)

Full freedom to travel and return to the UK at will (unless absent for more than 2 years)

You’re no longer tied to your current visa type and have complete freedom to build your life in the UK.

Why Choose Bekenbey?

At Bekenbey Immigration, we specialise in 10-year long residence ILR applications. Our team ensures your immigration timeline is clearly documented, your application for ILR is complete, and your legal pathway to settlement is fully supported.

We help with:

  • Verifying your continuous residence requirement

  • Analysing your absences from the UK

  • Calculating your 10-year qualifying period

  • Reviewing your visa history and gaps

  • Submitting your application on time

  • Guiding you through super priority services if required

  • Preventing errors that lead to ILR refusal

Apply for ILR After 10 Years in the UK with Bekenbey

If you’ve lived in the UK continuously and lawfully for 10 years, now is the time to apply for settlement on the long residence route.

To begin:

  • Review your visa timeline and entry/exit history

  • Gather proof of lawful residence and immigration compliance

  • Pass your Life in the UK Test and meet English language standards

  • Submit your ILR application through the SET(LR) form online

We will submit your application for ILR efficiently and offer legal support every step of the way.

Documents Needed

We’ve listed all the key documents required for your application to make your process as smooth as possible. Here are some common documents you may need to provide:

1

Current and previous passports covering the full 10-year period

1

Current and previous passports covering the full 10-year period

1

Current and previous passports covering the full 10-year period

1

Current and previous passports covering the full 10-year period

2

Valid biometric residence permit

2

Valid biometric residence permit

2

Valid biometric residence permit

2

Valid biometric residence permit

3

Confirmation of all previous UK visas and leave to remain

3

Confirmation of all previous UK visas and leave to remain

3

Confirmation of all previous UK visas and leave to remain

3

Confirmation of all previous UK visas and leave to remain

4

Travel history (entry/exit stamps, airline tickets, or records)

4

Travel history (entry/exit stamps, airline tickets, or records)

4

Travel history (entry/exit stamps, airline tickets, or records)

4

Travel history (entry/exit stamps, airline tickets, or records)

5

Proof of residence in the UK (council tax, bank statements, etc.)

5

Proof of residence in the UK (council tax, bank statements, etc.)

5

Proof of residence in the UK (council tax, bank statements, etc.)

5

Proof of residence in the UK (council tax, bank statements, etc.)

6

English language certificate at B1 level

6

English language certificate at B1 level

6

English language certificate at B1 level

6

English language certificate at B1 level

7

Life in the UK Test certificate

7

Life in the UK Test certificate

7

Life in the UK Test certificate

7

Life in the UK Test certificate

8

Any documents related to gaps between visas

8

Any documents related to gaps between visas

8

Any documents related to gaps between visas

8

Any documents related to gaps between visas

9

Evidence of legal residence (letters from schools, employers, NHS)

9

Evidence of legal residence (letters from schools, employers, NHS)

9

Evidence of legal residence (letters from schools, employers, NHS)

9

Evidence of legal residence (letters from schools, employers, NHS)

If there are complexities in your immigration history, we help explain them with a cover letter and legal clarification.

Your Immigration
Questions, Answered

Have questions about UK immigration? We’ve got you covered. If you have more questions, you can contact us.f

Can I apply if I’ve had visa gaps?

Gaps between valid visas may affect eligibility. However, short gaps may be accepted depending on the circumstances. We help assess and explain them in your application.

Can I apply if I’ve had visa gaps?

Gaps between valid visas may affect eligibility. However, short gaps may be accepted depending on the circumstances. We help assess and explain them in your application.

Can I apply if I’ve had visa gaps?

Gaps between valid visas may affect eligibility. However, short gaps may be accepted depending on the circumstances. We help assess and explain them in your application.

Can I apply if I’ve had visa gaps?

Gaps between valid visas may affect eligibility. However, short gaps may be accepted depending on the circumstances. We help assess and explain them in your application.

What if I’ve spent more than 180 days outside the UK?

To qualify for ILR 10 years, you must not exceed 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period or 548 total days over 10 years. If you’re close to the limit, we help clarify your situation.

What if I’ve spent more than 180 days outside the UK?

To qualify for ILR 10 years, you must not exceed 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period or 548 total days over 10 years. If you’re close to the limit, we help clarify your situation.

What if I’ve spent more than 180 days outside the UK?

To qualify for ILR 10 years, you must not exceed 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period or 548 total days over 10 years. If you’re close to the limit, we help clarify your situation.

What if I’ve spent more than 180 days outside the UK?

To qualify for ILR 10 years, you must not exceed 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period or 548 total days over 10 years. If you’re close to the limit, we help clarify your situation.

What happens if I’m refused?

If your ILR application based on long residence is refused, we can help you with: Appeal rights or judicial review (if applicable). Reapplying with corrected documentation. Identifying alternative ILR routes, such as family-based or work-based settlement

What happens if I’m refused?

If your ILR application based on long residence is refused, we can help you with: Appeal rights or judicial review (if applicable). Reapplying with corrected documentation. Identifying alternative ILR routes, such as family-based or work-based settlement

What happens if I’m refused?

If your ILR application based on long residence is refused, we can help you with: Appeal rights or judicial review (if applicable). Reapplying with corrected documentation. Identifying alternative ILR routes, such as family-based or work-based settlement

What happens if I’m refused?

If your ILR application based on long residence is refused, we can help you with: Appeal rights or judicial review (if applicable). Reapplying with corrected documentation. Identifying alternative ILR routes, such as family-based or work-based settlement