Settlement — long residence

A person may apply for immediate settlement if they meet all the requirements for settlement or may apply for temporary permission to stay if they meet the suitability and qualifying period and continuous residence requirements but do not meet the English language or Knowledge of life in the UK requirements.

LR 7.1. The applicant will be granted permission to stay for a period of 24 months.

LR 15.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that the suitability and eligibility requirements for settlement on the Long Residence route are met, the applicant will be granted settlement.

The Long Residence route is for a person who has lived in the UK lawfully and continuously for 10 years or more.

LR 11.3. Subject to LR 11.4, the applicant must have had permission on their current immigration route for at least 12 months on the date of application, or have been exempt from immigration control in the 12 months immediately before the date of application.

LR 11.4. If the applicant’s current permission was granted before 11 April 2024, LR 11.3. does not apply.

(a) the applicant had permission, except permission under Appendix Ukraine Scheme, or permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student (English language) or Seasonal Worker (or under any of their predecessor routes); or

(b) the applicant was exempt from immigration control; or

(c) the applicant was in the UK as an EEA national, or the family member of an EEA national, exercising a right to reside under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016 prior to 11pm on 31 December 2020 (and until 30 June 2021 or the final determination of an application under Appendix EU made by them by that date); or

(d) a period as a British citizen, except where citizenship has

LR 3.2. The following periods will not count towards the qualifying period for Long Residence: (a) time spent on immigration bail, temporary admission or temporary release; and (b) any period of overstaying between periods of permission before 24 November 2016, even if a further application was made within 28 days of the expiry of the previous permission; and (c) any period of overstaying between periods of permission on or after 24 November 2016 even if the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies to that period of overstaying; and (d) any current period of overstaying where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies.

LR 12.1. The applicant must have met the continuous residence requirement set out in Appendix Continuous Residence for the entirety of the qualifying period.

LR 9.1. A person applying for settlement on the Long Residence route must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form “Apply to settle in the UK – long residence”.

LR 9.2. An application for settlement on the Long Residence route must meet all the following requirements: (a) any fee must have been paid; and (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality.

LR 10.2. The applicant must not be: (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or (b) on immigration bail, except where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies.

(a) Where the date of application is before 26 March 2027, the applicant must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1; or

(b) Where the date of application is on or after 26 March 2027, the applicant must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B2.

LR 14.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must meet the Knowledge of life in the UK requirement as set out in Appendix KOL UK.

There is no provision for dependents of a person on the Long Residence route to apply on this route.

LR 7.1. The applicant will be granted permission to stay for a period of 24 months.

(a) no access to public funds; and (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted; and (c) study is permitted

LR 15.2. If the decision maker is not satisfied the suitability and eligibility requirements for settlement on the Long Residence route are met, but thinks the applicant may meet requirements for permission to stay on the Long Residence route or one of the following routes, the application will be varied by the Secretary of State to an application for permission to stay:

(a) as a partner, parent or child under Appendix FM (family life); or (b) under Appendix Private Life.