Indefinite Leave to Remain – Long Residence

Indefinite Leave to Remain — Long Residence Route

The 10-Year Long Residence route offers a vital pathway for individuals who have lawfully lived in the UK for an extended period. At The McKenzie Friend, we help you prepare a thorough and compliant application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), ensuring your continuous residence is clearly proven and fully documented.

Understanding the Long Residence Route

The Long Residence route is designed for individuals who have maintained continuous lawful residence in the UK for at least 10 years. This category recognises your established ties to the UK — whether through study, work, or family life — and provides a route to permanent settlement, regardless of your visa type history.

Unlike other ILR routes that depend on specific visa categories, the Long Residence route focuses on time spent lawfully in the UK. This makes it a flexible but evidence-heavy application requiring accuracy and strong documentation.

Eligibility for ILR (Long Residence)

You may qualify for ILR under the Long Residence route if you can demonstrate:

• 10 continuous years of lawful residence in the UK under valid visas or leave to remain
• No absences exceeding 540 days in total over 10 years and no single absence longer than 180 days
• Good immigration history with no breaches of visa conditions
• Passed the Life in the UK Test and English language requirement (if applicable)
• Intention to make the UK your permanent home

Documents Required

For a successful ILR Long Residence application, you’ll need to provide clear evidence of your time in the UK, including:

• Passports and biometric residence permits covering the full 10-year period
• Previous visa grant letters or Home Office correspondence
• Proof of continuous residence (bank statements, tenancy agreements, utility bills, or educational records)
• Life in the UK Test certificate
• English language qualification (if required)
• Any gap explanations or supporting evidence (if periods of uncertainty exist)

Our Step-by-Step Support

1. Case Assessment: We review your immigration history and confirm eligibility under the Long Residence rules.
2. Timeline Verification: We calculate absences, review visa overlaps, and ensure there are no gaps in lawful stay.
3. Document Review: We help you gather consistent proof of residence and fill any missing evidence gaps.
4. Form Preparation: Assistance completing and submitting the correct ILR Long Residence form (SET(LR)).
5. Submission Support: Guidance with uploading evidence and tracking progress until your decision is made.

Processing Time & Fees

The standard Home Office fee for ILR Long Residence is £2,885 per applicant, with an additional £19.20 for biometric enrolment. Most applications are processed within 3–6 months. A faster “Super Priority” service is available (24-hour decision) for an extra £1,000.

Common Challenges — and How We Help

• Short gaps between visas: We identify and explain any breaks in lawful residence using legal precedent.
• Excessive absences: We review your travel history and build evidence to justify unavoidable absences (e.g., illness, family emergencies).
• Missing documents: We help you obtain replacement records or alternative proof when older evidence is unavailable.

Why Choose The McKenzie Friend?

• Specialist support with 10-year ILR Long Residence applications
• Detailed document review and lawful stay calculation
• Affordable, fixed-fee service with no hidden costs
• Professional preparation to minimise risk of refusal
• Step-by-step assistance from start to finish

After ILR Approval

Once your ILR is granted, you’ll gain permanent residency rights — no visa renewals, no work restrictions, and full access to UK healthcare and education. After holding ILR for 12 months (or immediately if married to a British citizen), you can apply for British citizenship.

The McKenzie Friend provides professional guidance for ILR applications and can refer clients to OISC-regulated immigration advisers for complex or appeal-based cases.