If you’ve lawfully lived in the UK for 10 continuous years, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Long Residence route. ILR gives you permission to live and work in the UK without a time limit and can be an important step toward becoming a British citizen, provided you meet the separate nationality requirements.
However, simply being in the UK for 10 years isn’t enough on its own. You must meet rules on lawful and continuous residence, absences from the UK, suitability, English language, and Knowledge of Life in the UK.
The government has also consulted on an “Earned Settlement” system, which could change how people qualify for settlement in the future. The current Long Residence route remains in force, but anyone planning their route to ILR should keep up to date with developments in the Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance.
In this guide, we explain the 10-year Long Residence ILR rules in 2026, how the absence rules work, which visas count towards the 10 years, and what the proposed Earned Settlement reforms could mean for you.
What is the 10 Year Long Residence ILR Route?
The 10-year Long Residence route allows people who have lawfully and continuously lived in the UK for at least 10 years to apply for ILR.
Unlike some 5-year settlement routes, such as the Skilled Worker or family routes, Long Residence can usually include time spent on different types of immigration permission. This means that you may be able to combine periods spent on Student, Skilled Worker, family, and other qualifying visas.
The current Immigration Rules confirm that the Long Residence route remains available in 2026. Settlement applications are made online from inside the UK using the specified “Apply to settle in the UK – long residence” form.
Summary
To qualify for ILR, you’ll need to show that you:
- Have completed 10 years of lawful residence in the UK
- Have maintained continuous residence
- Haven’t spent too much time outside the UK
- Meet the suitability criteria
- Meet the English language requirement, unless exempt
- Pass the Life in the UK Test, unless exempt
- Are in the UK when you apply
The exact requirements depend on your immigration history, so it’s important to check your individual circumstances before applying.
Who Can Apply for 10 Year ILR?
You may be eligible for Long Residence ILR if you’ve completed 10 years of lawful and continuous residence in the UK. The qualifying period can usually combine time spent on different immigration routes, so you don’t normally need to have held the same visa throughout.
For example, a person may have spent time as a Student before moving to a Skilled Worker, Graduate, dependant, or family route. The key questions are whether each period counts and whether continuous residence has been maintained.
Quick Eligibility Checklist
- Before applying, check that you can show:
- Ten years of lawful and continuous residence in the UK
- Permission on a route that counts towards Long Residence throughout the qualifying period
- Absences within the relevant limits
- No immigration breach or other suitability issue that leads to refusal
- At least 12 months on your current immigration route, unless an exception applies
- Knowledge of Life in the UK, unless exempt
- The required English language ability, unless exempt
- That you are in the UK when you submit the application
In most cases, you must also have been on your current immigration route for at least 12 months on the date you apply. This requirement doesn’t apply where your current permission was granted before 11 April 2024, and other exceptions may apply.
At the time of writing, Long Residence applicants generally need to meet the English language requirement at B1 level for both speaking and listening, unless exempt. The requirement is scheduled to rise to B2 on 26 March 2027, so applicants planning ahead should check which rules will apply on the date of application.
If you’re unsure whether your immigration history adds up to 10 qualifying years, an eligibility review can help identify any potential problems before you submit an application.
Continuous Residence and 10 Year ILR Absence Rules
Continuous residence means meeting the rules about how long you can be outside the UK during your qualifying period.
The absence rules changed on 11 April 2024. The rules that apply depend largely on when an absence began, so it’s important to record the start date of every trip outside the UK.
Absences Before 11 April 2024
For absences that began before 11 April 2024, the transitional rules preserve the previous limits:
- No single absence could be more than 184 days
- The total absences during the relevant part of the qualifying period couldn’t exceed 548 days
These are transitional rules that preserve the previous Long Residence absence limits for relevant periods before the change.
Absences Brom 11 April 2024
For absences that started on or after 11 April 2024, you mustn’t have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
This is a rolling calculation. It doesn’t simply mean that you can spend 180 days abroad between January and December and then start again in January.
The Home Office guidance specifically confirms that absences beginning on or after 11 April 2024 are assessed using the 180-day rolling 12-month rule.
Example:
Imagine your 10-year qualifying period includes:
- 7 years before 11 April 2024
- 3 years from 11 April 2024 onwards
Your absences need to be assessed under the relevant rules for each part of your qualifying period
| Part of qualifying period | Relevant absence rule |
|---|---|
| Before 11 April 2024 | No absence over 184 days and no more than 548 days in total |
| From 11 April 2024 | No more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period |
Each absence must be assessed under the rule that applied when that absence began. For example, a trip beginning on 1 April 2024 is assessed under the previous rules, while one beginning on 1 August 2024 is assessed under the 180-day rolling 12-month rule. This is why simply adding every day spent outside the UK over 10 years may not give the right answer.
What Can Break Continuous Residence?
Continuous residence can be broken by:
- Spending more time outside the UK than the relevant absence rules allow
- A period of overstaying that is not disregarded under the Immigration Rules
- Time on immigration bail, temporary admission, or temporary release (for example, after a criminal conviction or while awaiting a decision)
- Time with permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Seasonal Worker, or under the Ukraine Scheme
In limited circumstances, the Immigration Rules may allow an absence to be disregarded. Whether this applies depends on the facts and the relevant rule or guidance, so anyone relying on an exception should seek advice before applying.
Suitability issues, including criminal convictions or immigration breaches, may also affect whether an application is granted, even where the residence requirement is met.
Because the rules can become complicated when several absences overlap different periods, it’s worth checking your travel history carefully before applying.
What Counts Towards the 10 Years?
The good news is that 10-year Long Residence ILR doesn’t normally require you to have spent all 10 years on the same visa.
Time spent with permission on most immigration routes can count towards the qualifying period. This can include work, study, and family routes.
However, some types of immigration permission are specifically excluded.
Does this Count Towards Long Residence?
| Immigration status | Counts towards 10 years? |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker visa | Usually yes |
| Student visa | Usually yes |
| Family visa | Usually yes |
| Dependant visa | Usually yes |
| Visitor visa | No |
| Short-term Student visa | No |
| Seasonal Worker visa | No |
| Time without valid permission | Usually no, but may also break continuous residence unless a specific exception applies |
| Switching between qualifying visas | Yes, provided lawful residence is maintained |
Time spent as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Seasonal Worker, or under the Ukraine Scheme doesn’t count towards the 10-year qualifying period and will normally break continuous residence for this route.
Can I Switch Between Visas?
Yes. You don’t normally need to stay on the same visa for the full 10 years.
For example, someone could potentially have a qualifying history such as:
- Student visa → Graduate visa → Skilled Worker visa → Family visa
The important point is whether the relevant periods count towards Long Residence and whether your continuous lawful residence has been maintained.
If your visa history is complicated, it’s useful to create a complete timeline of every period of permission before applying.
How to Check Your 10 Year ILR Eligibility
Before starting an application, it can help to work through your immigration history step by step.
Step 1: List Every Period of Immigration Permission
Write down:
- The type of visa you held
- The date it started
- The date it expired
- Any date you switched to another route
- Any periods where you were waiting for a decision
Step 2: Check Which Periods Count
Remove periods that cannot contribute to Long Residence, such as time spent as a Visitor or on a Short-term Student visa.
Step 3: Create an Absence Record
List every time you left the UK during your qualifying period.
Record:
- Date you left
- Date you returned
- Number of days outside the UK
- Whether the absence started before or after 11 April 2024
Step 4: Check for Gaps
Look for any period where you may not have had valid immigration permission.
Don’t assume that a short gap is automatically harmless. Some exceptions can apply, but these need to be considered against the relevant Immigration Rules.
Step 5: Check the Settlement Requirements
Make sure you’ve considered:
- Life in the UK Test
- English language requirement
- Suitability requirements
- Your current immigration permission
- Supporting evidence
Doing these checks before applying can help identify problems while there’s still time to address them.
How to Apply: The Long Residence Process
Applications for 10-year ILR are made online from inside the UK.
The current Immigration Rules state that a Long Residence settlement application must be made online using the specified “Apply to settle in the UK – long residence” form. You must also be in the UK when you apply and provide your biometric information and evidence establishing your identity and nationality.
What About a SET(LR) Application?
You may still see “SET(LR) application” used online when searching for information about Long Residence ILR.
SET(LR) was the name of the previous application form. The current Immigration Rules refer applicants to the “Apply to settle in the UK – long residence” online application instead.
Before You Apply
Use this checklist to prepare:
- Check your full 10-year immigration history
- Calculate all relevant absences
- Check which absence rules apply to each period
- Check for gaps in immigration permission
- Pass the Life in the UK Test
- Check your English language evidence
- Gather your passports and immigration documents
- Prepare evidence to support any complicated periods
- Check that you meet the current settlement requirements
The application fee and available processing services can change. Check the latest GOV.UK fee and processing-time information before applying, especially if you have a deadline or an upcoming visa expiry date.
If your case involves previous refusals, gaps in leave, overstaying, or a complicated visa history, getting your application checked by a solicitor before submission can help identify potential refusal risks.
Earned Settlement UK: What’s Proposed
The government has proposed major changes to the way people qualify for settlement in the UK under an Earned Settlement system.
The proposal would move away from settlement being based mainly on completing a fixed qualifying period. Instead, the government has proposed a 10-year default qualifying period, with the possibility of reducing or increasing the period depending on factors such as contribution and integration.
The proposed system is based around four broad areas:
- Residence – How long you’ve lived lawfully in the UK
- Contribution – Your economic contribution, including work and tax
- Character – Your conduct, immigration compliance and criminal record
- Integration – Your English language ability and engagement with UK society
The consultation proposed that some people could qualify for settlement sooner, while others could face a longer qualifying period.
What’s In Force Now vs What’s Proposed
This is one of the most important points to understand if you’re working towards ILR.
| Current position in 2026 | Planned/proposed changes |
|---|---|
| 10-year Long Residence route remains available | Government proposes a new settlement framework |
| Lawful, continuous residence is central to Long Residence | Residence alone may not normally be enough |
| Current Long Residence rules apply to applications | Qualifying periods could vary depending on contribution and other factors |
| English is generally B1 at present, unless exempt | B2 English is scheduled to take effect for Long Residence settlement applications on 26 March 2027, unless exempt |
| Current rules remain legally applicable | Final Earned Settlement rules haven’t yet been fully introduced |
As of September 2026, the 10-year Long Residence route has not been abolished. Appendix Long Residence remains part of the Immigration Rules and continues to provide a route to settlement for people who meet its requirements.
The government has, however, already introduced some changes connected to the wider settlement reforms. The higher English language requirement is due to come into effect for Long Residence applications from 26 March 2027. The government said in March 2026 that responses to the wider Earned Settlement consultation were still being considered before further reforms are introduced.
How the Earned Settlement Reforms Could Affect You
The impact of the proposed Earned Settlement UK reforms will depend on your circumstances and when you reach the point of applying.
If You’re Close to 10 Years
If you’re approaching 10 years of qualifying residence, it’s worth checking your eligibility under the current Long Residence rules rather than assuming the proposed reforms have already replaced them.
Your absence history, immigration permission, and settlement requirements should all be checked carefully before you apply.
If You’re Several Years Away
If you’re still some way from 10 years, future settlement planning may need to take more factors into account.
The proposed system places greater emphasis on contribution, character, and integration alongside residence. However, the final rules and transitional arrangements are not yet confirmed.
If You Rely on Long Residence
Long Residence can be particularly important if your current visa route doesn’t normally provide a straightforward route to settlement.
The government’s consultation proposed a new settlement framework in which residence alone wouldn’t normally be enough, meaning people currently planning around Long Residence may need to pay close attention to future changes.
The Key Point
Don’t confuse a proposed reform with a rule that’s already in force.
If you’re eligible for 10 year ILR under the current rules, your position should be assessed against the rules that apply to your application. If you’re not yet eligible, it’s important to keep your settlement plans under review as the government introduces further changes.
Common Mistakes and Refusal Risks
A 10-year ILR application can be refused if you don’t meet the requirements or if your qualifying period has been calculated incorrectly.
Common problems include:
- Miscalculating absences – Different rules can apply depending on when each absence began
- Overlooking gaps in permission – Overstaying may not count towards the qualifying period and can break continuous residence
- Including excluded immigration routes – Time as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Seasonal Worker, or under the Ukraine Scheme doesn’t count and normally breaks continuity
- Missing the 12-month current-route requirement – This usually applies to settlement applications unless an exception applies
- Not meeting settlement requirements – Applicants must meet the English-language and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements unless exempt
- Relying on old guidance or forms – Long Residence settlement applications are made online using the specified current form
A refusal can result in additional costs and delays and may create further immigration problems depending on your circumstances.
If you have a complicated immigration history, an eligibility and absence review before applying can help identify potential issues and give you a clearer picture of whether you’re ready to apply.
FAQs
Does the 10-year ILR route still exist in 2026?
Yes. The Long Residence route remains available under Appendix Long Residence in September 2026. Eligible applicants who meet the qualifying period, continuous residence, suitability, English-language, and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements can apply for settlement.
The government has consulted on wider Earned Settlement reforms, but those proposals have not yet replaced the existing Long Residence rules.
How are absences calculated for Long Residence?
The calculation depends on when your absence started.
For absences that started before 11 April 2024, the transitional rules include a maximum of 184 days for a single absence and 548 days in total for the relevant period.
For absences starting on or after 11 April 2024, you must not exceed 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period.
Do visitor visas count towards 10 years?
No. Time spent in the UK as a Visitor doesn’t count towards the 10-year Long Residence qualifying period. Short-term Student and Seasonal Worker permissions are also excluded.
What happens if I have a gap in my leave?
A gap in immigration permission can affect your continuous residence and may mean that the relevant period cannot count towards your 10 years.
There are exceptions for certain circumstances, so the dates and reasons for the gap need to be checked against the Immigration Rules.
Will Earned Settlement abolish the 10-year route?
The government has proposed a new settlement framework that could replace the existing Long Residence route as part of the wider Earned Settlement reforms.
However, the 10-year Long Residence route remains in the Immigration Rules in September 2026. The final reforms and transitional arrangements have not yet been fully introduced.
Can I apply for a 10-year ILR if I’m on a Student or Dependant visa?
Potentially, yes.
Time spent in the UK with permission on most routes can count towards Long Residence, including Student and Dependant visas, provided the relevant requirements are met. You don’t normally need to have spent all 10 years on the same visa.
If you’re unsure whether your particular immigration history qualifies, it’s important to seek advice based on your individual circumstances before applying.
Next Steps: How Crystal Law Can Help
Working out whether you qualify for 10-year Long Residence ILR can be difficult if you have changed visa routes, have gaps in your immigration history or have spent significant periods outside the UK.
Crystal Law’s immigration team can help with:
- Eligibility reviews – Assessing whether your residence history can meet the 10-year requirement
- Absence calculations – Applying the correct rule to each period outside the UK
- Application preparation – Supporting your online Long Residence settlement application, evidence and representations
- Complex cases – Advising on gaps in leave, overstaying, previous immigration issues and mixed visa histories
- Settlement planning – Explaining how current Long Residence rules and future policy developments may affect you
If you are approaching 10 years in the UK or are unsure whether your residence history qualifies, contact Crystal Law Solicitors to discuss your options.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, please contact our qualified solicitors.
