The 10-Year Long Residence Route – Settle in the UK (2025 Guide)

A pathway to permanent residence through time

For many people, the journey to settlement in the UK is not a straight line. You may have lived here under different visas — as a student, worker, or dependant — but over time, your continuous residence could make you eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the 10-year long residence route.

This route rewards those who have made the UK their home through lawful, long-term residence. In this guide, we explain how the 10-year rule works, who can apply, and what to prepare before submitting your ILR application.

Who this guide is for

This article is for individuals who have:

• Lived in the UK lawfully for 10 continuous years under any combination of visas
• Built their life, career, or family here
• Are not yet eligible for ILR under other 5-year routes

If you’ve been in the UK continuously and want to make your stay permanent, the 10-year long residence route could be your path forward.

What is the 10-year long residence route?

The 10-year long residence route allows people who have legally lived in the UK for 10 continuous years to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Unlike other ILR categories, this route focuses on time spent lawfully in the UK — not your visa type.

Once granted, ILR allows you to:

• Stay in the UK permanently
• Work, study, and travel freely
• Apply for British citizenship after 12 months

Key eligibility requirements in 2025

Continuous lawful residence

You must have lived in the UK for 10 consecutive years under valid visas. The Home Office counts lawful stay under categories such as:

• Student or Graduate Visas
• Skilled Worker or Tier 2 Visas
• Family Visas
• Ancestry or Private Life routes

Your stay must be unbroken, meaning:

• You have not spent more than 540 days outside the UK in total over 10 years
• You have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any single 12-month period
• You did not leave the UK with expired leave

Immigration status

At the time of applying, you must hold a valid visa or have applied for a new one before your current visa expired.

Knowledge of Life and Language in the UK

You’ll need to show:

• A Life in the UK Test pass certificate
• Proof of English language proficiency at B1 level or higher

Good character and immigration history

You must not have any unspent criminal convictions or breaches of immigration law.

Step-by-step process

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

Check your visa history to ensure your residence has been continuous and lawful for 10 full years.

Step 2: Gather your documents

You’ll need:

• Passports and Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) covering the 10-year period
• Travel history and records of all absences
• Evidence of residence such as tenancy agreements, council tax bills, or payslips
• Life in the UK Test and English language certificates

Step 3: Apply online

Submit your ILR application using the long residence route form on the UK Government website.

Step 4: Pay the fees

• Application fee: £2,885 per person
• Biometric enrolment fee: £19.20

Step 5: Attend your biometric appointment

Provide your fingerprints and photograph at a UKVCAS service centre.

Step 6: Wait for a decision

Most applications are processed within 6 to 8 weeks, though complex cases may take longer.

Timeline summary

Common mistakes to avoid

Gaps in lawful residence

If you overstayed a visa or missed a renewal, your 10-year count may reset.

Missing travel evidence

You must provide records of all absences from the UK.

Applying too early

Applications made before completing the full 10 years are automatically refused.

Incorrect test certificates

Ensure both English and Life in the UK certificates meet current Home Office standards.

Benefits of the 10-year route

• Recognises long-term lawful residence in any visa category
• Allows applicants who switched visas multiple times to settle
• Provides access to permanent status and citizenship eligibility
• Offers flexibility for those who do not qualify under 5-year routes

How AHJ Immigration helps long-term residents

At AHJ Immigration, we help you confirm your eligibility, check your travel history, and prepare a compliant ILR application under the long residence route.

We help you:

• Review your 10-year visa timeline
• Collect supporting evidence for lawful stay
• Resolve potential issues with absences or overstays
• Submit your application accurately and on time

📞 Call 0121 828 2224 to discuss your long residence ILR options today.

Book your consultation

Free 30-minute consultation

Your free consultation gives you an overview of ILR options, 10-year residence rules, and eligibility requirements.

Book here:

Or call 0121 828 2224 to book by phone.

Paid 1-hour consultation (£120)

After your free session, you can book a 1-hour consultation for a detailed assessment. We will:

• Review your visa history and absences
• Check your eligibility for ILR under long residence
• Provide written, step-by-step advice

The £120 fee is deducted from your final application cost if you continue with us.

FAQs

1. What counts as lawful residence?
Any period spent in the UK with valid leave under an approved visa category.

2. Can short gaps in residence affect eligibility?
Yes. Gaps in lawful stay or overstays can reset your 10-year clock.

3. Do student and work visas both count?
Yes. You can combine time under different visas as long as they were valid and continuous.

4. Can dependants apply with me?
No. Dependants must apply for ILR separately once they meet their own eligibility.

5. How soon can I apply for citizenship after ILR?
You can apply for British citizenship 12 months after being granted ILR.

Our process

1. Free Consultation – Overview of your situation and eligibility.
2. Paid Consultation – Detailed document review and written advice.
3. Gathering Documents – Templates, checklists, and consultant support.
4. Application Stage – Review and submission of your ILR application.
5. Waiting Phase – Monitoring case progress and liaising with the Home Office.
6. Decision Phase – Explanation of your result and compliance guidance.

Disclaimer

Fees and requirements are always subject to change as UK immigration is ever-evolving. The information provided is correct at the time of publishing. We regularly update our guides to reflect the latest Home Office guidance.

Settle in the UK through long-term residence

If you’ve made the UK your home for over 10 years, your commitment and lawful residence can open the door to permanent settlement. With expert help, your application can be straightforward and stress-free.

📞 Call 0121 828 2224 or book your free consultation today.

After your free call, you can book a paid 1-hour consultation (£120) for a detailed document review — and we’ll deduct the fee from your final application cost if you proceed with us.

Your 10 years of effort deserve a permanent home. Let’s make it official.