ILR by long residence: the 10-year route

Last reviewed 20 July 2026 · Reviewed by the BritainTest editorial team

Most people reach indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years on a work or family visa. But there is another way: the long residence route lets you apply for ILR once you have lived in the UK lawfully and continuously for 10 years, whatever visas you held along the way. This guide explains how it works. It is general information, not immigration advice, so always check your own case on GOV.UK.

What the route is

The long residence route is for people who have simply lived in the UK legally for a long time, often across several different visas. You can usually add together the time spent on those visas to reach the 10 years, rather than needing a single continuous visa type. Once you qualify, you apply for ILR in the same way as any other route.

Continuous lawful residence

“Continuous lawful residence” means you were in the UK with valid immigration status for the whole period, without a break. Two things commonly break it: a gap in lawful status (for example, letting a visa lapse), and excessive time outside the UK. There are limits on how many days you can have spent abroad, and these limits have changed in recent years, so check the current rules on GOV.UK rather than relying on an old figure.

The requirements, including the test

Long residence carries the same core settlement requirements as other routes. You must meet the KoLL requirement (pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the B1 English requirement, unless exempt), and you must not fall foul of the general grounds for refusal. There is an application fee of over £3,000, set by the Home Office. Because the detail is specific, confirm the current requirements on GOV.UK.

Long residence vs the 5-year routes

The ILR hub lists the common routes: work and family visas usually lead to settlement after 5 years, and the EU Settlement Scheme has its own rules. Long residence is the 10-year alternative for people who do not fit a single 5-year route but have lived here lawfully for a decade. Whichever route you take, the Life in the UK Test is usually part of it, as our ILR vs citizenship guide explains.

How to apply

You apply on GOV.UK, giving biometrics and documents that prove your 10 years of continuous lawful residence (such as passports, visas and evidence of time in the UK). A decision usually takes around six months. Keeping good records of your time in the UK makes this route much easier to evidence.

This page explains the long residence route to settlement and is for study and preparation only. It is general information, not immigration advice, and does not determine your eligibility for settlement or citizenship. For official rules and any updates, rely on GOV.UK; GOV.UK guidance controls if anything here differs.