Long Residence Applications
based on 10 years of lawful, continuous UK residence
Long residence applications may lead to UK settlement after 10 years of lawful, continuous residence. Review your immigration history, periods of permission, absences, current status and settlement requirements before applying.
Permissions, applications, addresses, travel dates and supporting records should form one consistent history.
Route Overview
How long residence applications work
under the ten-year settlement route
Long residence applications can provide a route to indefinite leave to remain where a person has completed 10 years of lawful and continuous residence in the United Kingdom and meets the other settlement requirements.
Time with permission on most immigration routes, or a combination of qualifying routes, may count towards the ten-year period. The complete history must be reviewed because some categories and periods do not count.
The applicant’s current permission, continuous residence, absences, suitability, English language position and Life in the UK requirement should be checked before deciding whether to apply for settlement or permission to stay. For settlement, a 12-month requirement on the current immigration route may also apply where the current permission was granted on or after 11 April 2024.
Create a complete schedule of immigration permission
Calculate absences and identify possible breaks
Check the current route and settlement requirements
Permission dates, applications, addresses, travel and Home Office records should agree.
Route Snapshot
Core areas to establish
These areas provide an initial overview. The detailed calculation depends on the dates, immigration categories, absences and current permission shown in the applicant’s records.
01
Ten-year qualifying period
The applicant must establish a qualifying period of 10 years spent lawfully in the UK under one or more permitted immigration categories.
02
Continuous residence
Absences, departures, returns and any periods that may break continuity should be calculated against the rules that apply to the relevant dates.
03
Current immigration position
The applicant must be in the UK. For settlement, the status and length of the current permission should also be checked, including whether the 12-month current-route rule applies.
04
Settlement requirements
Suitability, English language and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements must be addressed unless an applicable exemption applies.
Important Route Check
Long residence or another settlement route?
Some applicants may qualify for settlement through their current work, family or other immigration route rather than relying on the ten-year long residence provisions.
A person whose UK residence does not meet the lawful ten-year requirement may need to consider a different route, including private life where appropriate.
Who may qualify for a
UK long residence application?
Eligibility depends on the ten-year lawful residence calculation, continuous residence, the applicant’s current immigration position, suitability and the settlement requirements that apply.
01
Lawful qualifying residence
The ten-year period may combine time on most immigration routes, but excluded categories and any non-qualifying periods must be removed from the calculation.
Map every grant of permission to the qualifying period
02
Continuous residence and absences
Travel outside the UK and the circumstances of departure and return should be reviewed to identify whether residence remained continuous.
Prepare an exact absence schedule
03
Current permission and suitability
The applicant’s status on the application date, any suitability matters and the length of time on the current route should be checked. For settlement, the 12-month current-route rule may apply where current permission was granted on or after 11 April 2024.
Review current status, route length and previous immigration issues
04
English and Life in the UK
Unless exempt, a settlement applicant must satisfy the applicable English-language and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements.
Confirm the evidence or exemption relied on
Main Requirements
Long residence application requirements
to consider together
The application should show how the complete immigration history satisfies the qualifying period and continuous residence requirements.
The assessment also includes the current immigration position, suitability and the English and Life in the UK requirements for settlement.
01
Ten-year lawful residence
The applicant must identify a continuous qualifying period of 10 years during which each part of the residence was lawful and capable of counting under the route.
Review
Permission type, grant dates and excluded periods
02
Continuous residence and absences
Every absence from the UK should be recorded and assessed, together with the permission held when the applicant left and returned.
Review
Departure dates, return dates and permitted limits
03
Current permission and suitability
The applicant must apply from within the UK and should review current permission, immigration compliance and any matter relevant under Part Suitability. For settlement, check whether the 12-month current-route requirement applies.
Review
Current status, route length, gaps, overstaying and suitability
04
English and Knowledge of Life
A settlement application must address the relevant English-language and Life in the UK requirements unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption.
Review
Test evidence, accepted qualification or exemption
Dependants cannot be included on a long residence application
A partner or child must make their own application under a route available to them. Each person relying on long residence must establish their own qualifying history.
Supporting Evidence
Supporting evidence for a long residence application
should support one complete ten-year chronology
Documents should establish identity, immigration permission, application history, UK residence, travel and the settlement requirements relied on.
Check the chronology before submissionNames, permission dates, addresses and travel records should agree across the evidence.
Evidence Groups
Organise documents by purpose
The documents required depend on the history and issues identified. These groups provide a practical starting structure for reviewing the ten-year period.
01
Identity and current permission
Confirm the applicant’s identity, nationality and immigration status on the date of application.
Current and previous passports or identity records
eVisa, biometric or other status evidence
Current grant and relevant Home Office correspondence
02
Ten-year immigration history
Create a continuous record of applications and permission across the full qualifying period.
Visa applications, grants and decision notices
Records explaining changes between immigration routes
Evidence for any period of exemption or EEA residence relied on
03
Travel and continuous residence
Support the absence calculation and explain any period requiring closer assessment.
Passport stamps and complete travel schedule
Tickets, booking records or other travel evidence where available
Documents explaining significant or disputed absences
04
English, Life in the UK and suitability
Provide the evidence needed for settlement and address any relevant history.
Life in the UK Test pass information
Accepted English evidence or applicable exemption
Documents concerning immigration or criminal history where relevant
Review translations and document quality
Evidence should be complete and readable. Documents not in English or Welsh may require an appropriate certified translation.
Application Process
Long residence application process
from route review to decision
A structured process helps keep the qualifying-period calculation, online form, travel history and supporting documents consistent.
Review the applicant’s current status, complete immigration history and the ten-year period proposed for the application.
02
Chronology and Calculation
Map permission and calculate every absence
Create a dated schedule covering visa grants, applications, addresses, departures, returns and any period that may not count.
03
Online Submission
Complete the form and organise the evidence
Check the online answers, declarations and supporting documents together before submitting the settlement or permission-to-stay application.
04
Identity Stage
Upload documents and provide biometric information
Follow the instructions issued after submission, including document upload and identity or biometric requirements.
05
Decision
Keep the application record and review the outcome
Retain the form, evidence, absence calculation and correspondence. When a decision is issued, review the status granted and any next steps.
Avoid travel that could withdraw the application
Current GOV.UK guidance states that travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before a decision will withdraw a pending long residence application.
Common Questions
Long residence applications
frequently asked questions
These long residence application FAQs provide a general introduction. The correct position depends on the applicant’s immigration history, absences, current permission and settlement requirements.
Individual Circumstances
Need a more specific review?
Prepare a summary of every immigration route, application, grant, absence, current status and any English or Life in the UK evidence.
Yes, time with permission on most immigration routes can be combined towards the ten-year qualifying period. Each category and date still needs to be checked because some routes and periods do not count.
No. The applicant must also satisfy the continuous residence, current permission, suitability, English-language and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements that apply.
All departures and returns should be listed using exact dates. The permitted limits and transitional rules can depend on when an absence occurred, so the complete schedule should be checked against the rules.
Time as a Visitor or Short-term Student does not count towards the qualifying period. Seasonal Worker, Ukraine scheme and certain other periods are also excluded under the current rules.
A person who meets the suitability, qualifying-period and continuous-residence requirements may be able to apply for temporary permission to stay rather than immediate settlement.
No. The Long Residence route does not allow dependants to be included. A partner or child must make a separate application under a route available to them.
Review Your Circumstances
Prepare your long residence application with
a clear understanding of the ten-year settlement route
Discuss the immigration chronology, qualifying period, absences, current status, supporting evidence and settlement requirements before moving forward.
