ILR via Long Residence — 10-Year Route: Evidence, Absences & Common Pitfalls

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on the 10-year long residence route is all about proving continuous, lawful residence in the UK for a full decade, and showing you meet the other settlement requirements (e.g. English and Life in the UK). This guide breaks the process into practical steps: how to build a clean timeline, calculate absences correctly, and assemble an evidence bundle that addresses what caseworkers really check.

What counts as “long residence” in practice?

• 10 years continuous residence: The Home Office will look for unbroken residence that meets the continuity rules in force at the time of decision.
• Lawful residence: Your 10-year period generally needs to be covered by valid permission (leave) throughout. Gaps without permission usually break the 10-year clock.
• Absences: Your time outside the UK must be within the permitted limits. Caseworkers assess this on a rolling 12-month basis. Always check the current Home Office rules before you apply.

Note: Some permission types may not count towards long residence (for example time as a Visitor). If you have mixed immigration history, get a code-check against the current rules.

Step 1 — Build a precise 10-year timeline

Create a single, clean view of your UK residence and travel. A simple spreadsheet works best:

• Rows for every grant of permission: visa type, start and end dates, BRP/permit numbers.
• Rows for every absence: date out, date back, destination, reason, and total days away.
• Rolling 12-month check: add a column that flags any 12-month window where absences approach or exceed limits.

If dates are unclear, submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) to the Home Office for your movement history and check old passports for entry/exit stamps.

Step 2 — Calculate absences the way caseworkers do

• Use the rolling 12-month method, not a simple calendar-year total.
• Count whole days out of the UK (do not count day of departure if you left late, or return day if you arrived early — follow the current policy wording).
• Keep records for each trip: boarding passes, tickets, email bookings, employer letters (if work travel).
• If you had compelling or compassionate reasons for a longer absence, prepare supporting evidence and an explanation.

Step 3 — Prove lawful residence for the whole period

Caseworkers want to see that you always had valid permission during the 10-year period, and that extensions/switches were made in time.

• Visas/BRPs/eVisas: copies of all cards, vignettes and grant letters, plus reference numbers.
• Application receipts: acknowledgements and evidence you applied before your leave expired when you extended or switched.
• Any gaps: explain clearly. Limited “grace” provisions do not necessarily preserve lawful residence for the 10-year route. If in doubt, get advice.

Step 4 — Get the mandatory tests in place

• Life in the UK Test pass certificate (book early).
• English language (approved test or exempt/degree-taught in English, as per current rules).
• Good character & suitability: disclose criminal history, HMRC issues, civil judgments, or immigration fines with context and evidence if applicable.

Evidence bundle — what to include

• Identity & immigration: passports (current & old), BRPs/eVisa printouts, all grant letters.
• Residence continuity: HMRC records, employer letters, P60s/P45s, payslips, tenancy agreements, council tax, utility bills, GP/school letters (spread across the 10 years).
• Absence proof: travel bookings, boarding passes, employer confirmation for business trips; medical/compassionate evidence where relevant.
• Timeline spreadsheet: attach as a clear schedule of residence and absences.

Seven common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

1. Miscounting absences: not using the rolling 12-month method, or missing short trips.
2. Assuming all visas count: some permission types don’t count towards long residence. Check before applying.
3. Unexplained gaps: even brief periods without permission can break the 10-year clock. Explain and evidence everything.
4. Patchy evidence: long gaps in bills/tenancy/HMRC records raise questions. Spread documents across the full period.
5. Leaving English/Life in the UK too late: test slots fill up; don’t let a missing certificate delay your ILR deadline.
6. Using the wrong form/category: long residence ILR is a distinct route. Don’t mix up with 5-year work/family settlement rules.
7. Assuming “near enough” is fine: if you are close on absences or have complex history, get a pre-submission review.

Timing & strategy

• When to apply: plan backwards from the date you reach 10 years. Ensure you still meet the absence rule up to biometric enrolment/decision.
• Priority services: where available, consider for time-sensitive jobs or travel. Availability changes—check current options.
• After ILR: keep your UKVI account/eVisa updated. If you get a BRP, note its expiry and follow UKVI guidance on the move to digital status.