The Long Residence ILR route allows individuals who have lived in the United Kingdom for 10 continuous years with lawful immigration status to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
This route is commonly referred to as the 10-year long residence settlement route.
Unlike other settlement routes, the Long Residence route allows applicants to combine different visa categories, provided they have maintained lawful residence in the UK for the full qualifying period.
Once granted, Indefinite Leave to Remain removes immigration time limits, allowing the applicant to live and work in the UK permanently and potentially apply for British citizenship later.
Applications are made under the Long Residence provisions of the Immigration Rules.
This guide explains:
• the Long Residence ILR requirements
• the 10-year continuous residence rule
• absence limits and permitted travel
• lawful residence requirements
• common refusal risks
• what happens after ILR is granted
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Long Residence ILR allows migrants to apply for settlement in the UK after completing 10 years of continuous lawful residence.
Unlike other settlement routes, the Long Residence route allows applicants to rely on multiple visa categories across the qualifying period.
For example, a person may qualify after holding visas such as:
As long as the applicant has maintained lawful residence for the full 10-year period, they may be eligible for settlement under the Long Residence route.
Long Residence ILR allows migrants to apply for settlement in the UK after completing 10 years of continuous lawful residence.
Unlike other settlement routes, the Long Residence route allows applicants to rely on multiple visa categories across the qualifying period.
For example, a person may qualify after holding visas such as:
As long as the applicant has maintained lawful residence for the full 10-year period, they may be eligible for settlement under the Long Residence route.
To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the 10-year long residence route, applicants must normally demonstrate that:
Applicants must normally apply before their current visa expires.
The continuous residence requirement is one of the most important aspects of a Long Residence ILR application.
Continuous residence means the applicant must have lived in the UK lawfully and without significant breaks for the entire 10-year qualifying period.
When assessing continuous residence, the Home Office will review:
Certain factors can break continuous residence, including:
Because Long Residence applications involve reviewing 10 years of immigration history, applicants should carefully review their travel and visa records before applying.
Applicants must ensure that their absences from the UK remain within the limits set out in the Immigration Rules.
The Home Office will assess travel records carefully when reviewing a Long Residence ILR application.
Excessive absences or extended periods outside the UK may break continuous residence and lead to refusal.
Applicants should keep records of their travel history, including:
• entry and exit stamps
• travel records
• flight confirmations
• passport history
Applications for Long Residence Indefinite Leave to Remain are made using the SET(LR) application form.
SET(LR) is the Home Office application used by migrants applying for settlement in the UK under the 10-year long residence route.
The application is submitted online through the UK government website, after which applicants must:
• pay the Home Office application fee
• upload supporting documents
• book a biometric appointment
• attend a biometric enrolment appointment if required
The Home Office will then assess whether the applicant satisfies the requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the long residence provisions of the Immigration Rules - Appendix Long Residence.
Applicants must ensure that all information entered on the SET(LR) form accurately reflects their immigration history, including previous visas and travel records.
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Applicants submitting the SET(LR) application must normally provide documents covering several areas.
Identity documents
Immigration history
Residence evidence
Knowledge of life requirements
Because Long Residence applications involve reviewing 10 years of immigration history, preparing the correct documentation is essential.
Applicants must pass the Life in the UK Test before submitting a Long Residence ILR application.
The test assesses knowledge of:
The test must be taken at an approved test centre in the UK.
👉 Life in the UK Test Guide
/insights/life-in-the-uk-test-guide/
Applicants must normally demonstrate English language ability at B1 level or higher when applying for settlement.
This requirement can usually be satisfied through:
Long Residence applications may be refused where the Home Office believes the Immigration Rules have not been satisfied.
Common refusal reasons include:
Careful preparation of immigration history and travel records is essential when applying under the Long Residence route.
Once Indefinite Leave to Remain is granted, the applicant becomes settled in the United Kingdom.
This allows them to:
Many applicants later apply for British citizenship:
The Home Office fee for a Long Residence ILR application is £3,226 per person. This is the government application fee for settlement under the 10-year long residence route. GOV.UK also confirms that biometric enrolment itself is free and that a standard application is usually decided within 6 months.
A major point many applicants want to know is whether there is an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Long Residence ILR. In most successful ILR applications, there is no IHS to pay, because applicants for indefinite leave to remain are not normally required to pay the surcharge.
If a faster decision service is offered when you submit the application, there may be additional optional fees. The Home Office fee tables currently show Priority service at £500 extra (5-working day decision after biometrics), and Super Priority service at £1,000 extra (a 1-working day decision after biometrics), but availability can depend on the type of application and whether those services are offered at the time you apply.
Home Office application fee: £3,226 per applicant (as of April 2026)
Biometric enrolment fee: £0
Immigration Health Surcharge: Usually not payable for ILR
Priority service: £500 extra, where available
Super Priority service: £1,000 extra, where available
UK immigration fees can change, sometimes with little notice. For that reason, applicants should always check the latest official Home Office fee pages before submitting their SET(LR) application.
Official GOV.UK long residence page: Indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK for 10 years
Official GOV.UK immigration fees page: Home Office immigration and nationality fees
Long Residence applications often require a detailed review of 10 years of immigration history and travel records.
Errors in calculating residence periods or absences can lead to refusal.
Professional preparation can help ensure the application satisfies the Immigration Rules.
Our services include:
• immigration history reviews
• residence timeline analysis
• absence calculations
• full application preparation and legal representations
You can find more information about our fees or contact us here:
Long Residence ILR allows migrants to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK. This route allows applicants to combine multiple visa categories over the qualifying period.
SET (LR) is the application form used to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the 10-year Long Residence route. It is submitted online through the UK government website.
Continuous residence means the applicant must have lived lawfully in the UK for 10 years without breaking their residence through excessive absences or gaps in immigration permission.
Yes. One of the key advantages of the Long Residence route is that multiple visa categories can count toward the 10-year qualifying period, provided residence remained lawful throughout.
Yes. Applicants must normally pass the Life in the UK Test before submitting a Long Residence ILR application.
Applicants must normally demonstrate English language ability at B1 level or higher when applying for settlement.
Yes. Applications may be refused if the Home Office believes the applicant has broken continuous residence, has excessive absences, or has gaps in lawful immigration status.
Yes. Many applicants become eligible to apply for British citizenship after holding Indefinite Leave to Remain for at least 12 months, provided they meet the residence and good character requirements.
The Home Office fee for Long Residence ILR is £3,226 per person.
Sometimes. Priority and Super Priority services may be available for an additional fee, but this depends on availability when you apply.
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