Indefinite Leave to Remain under the long residence route is a landmark for each and every one of these migrants who have spent, at the very least, 10 years in continuous, legitimate residence within the UK. It has often been described as the "10-year long residence" route, whereby a settlement status can be secured for the applicant by virtue of their long and uninterrupted residence in the UK. The application, however, includes an indefinite leave to remain fee. The strict eligibility requirements also have stringent requirements that demand that the applicant is well-equipped for the application. This article explains the charges involved, the eligibility conditions, and the stages involved in ILR application. It gives a comprehensive guide for applicants seeking long-term residencies in the UK.

What is the 10-Year Long Residence Route?

The 10-year residence route is for applicants who have spent a decade in the UK lawfully. The continuous period can be achieved through different types of visas since no immigration rules violations have occurred during this period. An extended stay in the UK results in the attainment of ILR, and consequently, residents are allowed to live, work, read, or study and obtain public services in the UK. Consequently, these residents are eligible to become British citizens after staying as ILR holders for a year.

Understanding the ILR Application Fee and Associated Costs

The indefinite leave to remain fee is £2,885 for an extended residence application; however, the cost is applied regardless of whether the applicant is an adult or child. When applying for multiple family members, the charges can mount up. Added to the cost of this initial application, further costs apply:

Priority and Super-Priority Processing: Applicants who need urgent processing will pay the extra £500 for the priority service, which usually results in a decision within five working days, and £1,000 extra for the super-priority service, which results in a decision for the next day.

Biometric Enrolment Fee: Every applicant is required to go through biometric enrolment at an extra cost of £19.20.

Extra Documentation Fees: Documents in a language other than English or Welsh must be translated and certified, incurring additional translation costs for the entire application process. In certain instances, consultation fees or legal assistant fees may be levied for complicated cases.

Life in the UK Test and English Language Test: The English test has a £50 fee, while no fee is levied for the UK test, of which the application fees remain the same. Most applicants meet the level of requirement in English, so they'll have taken approved English unless they are graduates whose course was taught and assessed in English or those who are from a qualifying, English-speaking country.

It is important to note that the indefinite leave to remain fee is non-refundable, and the application is not returned if it is unsuccessful, so applicants must ensure their applications are complete and meet all the requirements.

Requirements for Eligibility for ILR Under the Long Residence Route

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for ILR based on 10 years of long residence:

Continuous Residence: Applicants must have had 10 years of lawful, continuous residence in the UK. During this period, they should not have been outside the UK for more than 540 days or for more than 180 days in any single year. Any breach, such as overstaying or unauthorised absence, will impact entitlement.

No Criminal Convictions: applicants for application must never have a history of serious offences. The Home Office reviews whether the grant of the ILR is in the public interest by considering factors such as personal conduct as well as criminal record for other related matters.

Life in the UK and English language requirements: Most applicants need to pass the Life in the UK Test in addition to meeting the English language requirement. The Life in the UK Test tests knowledge of British history, culture, and Government. The language requirement can be fulfilled by passing a language test or having a degree taught in English.

Evidence of Lawful Residence Documentation: The applicant must demonstrate that they have lawfully spent the entire qualifying period in the UK. Documents such as tenancy agreements, utility bills, bank statements, and employment or education records would be sufficient. Applicants can ensure that the required documents cover the ten-year period without gaps.

Application for ILR on the Ground of Long Residence

The application procedure for ILR has various stages and will require careful attention to every detail so that the applicants do not miss eligibility. Here is the application procedure:

Online Application Form: Applicants must fill out a specific SET(LR) form, especially for the long residence route. This form asks for details regarding an applicant's background, time spent outside the UK, and supporting documents.

Supporting Documents: In parallel with the application form, applicants must submit proof of continuous residence, such as employment records, bank statements, or school attendance records, and proof that they meet the requirements of the English language and Life in the UK Test.

Biometrics Appointment: Applicants will be invited to attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services centre to have their biometrics captured. Applicants attending this appointment will be fingerprinted and have a digital photograph taken, which will be added to their application.

Processing Time: ILR applications are processed at the standard rate of six months. However, they can be processed as priority or super-priority processing depending on urgency and necessity for faster decision-making. Applicants should avoid international travel; any trip out of the UK may invalidate the application.

Benefits of ILR for Long Residence Holders

Upon grant, applicants would have a number of benefits with their ILR status as this would provide long-term security and access to a range of entitlements:

Permanent Residence: The ILR does not require visa renewals and, therefore, does not depend on the immigration time frames.

Public Benefits: Public benefits are not automatically accessible under ILR; rather, people might have access to different types of public funding, like NHS healthcare.

Route to British Citizenship: Individuals who apply for ILR can apply for British citizenship after 12 months have passed since the date they acquired ILR, meeting the requirements of residency and qualifying conditions. British citizenship adds more rights, including the right to vote and a British passport.

Preparation for the Financial Investment

For most long residence applications, indefinite leave to remain is usually applied for by paying a considerable amount. Families will need to calculate how much these applications will cost but note that extra premiums allow for priority services on top of the biometrics fee plus any documentation support services. Preparing this budget beforehand will safeguard all aspects of the application for ILR.

For those experiencing financial hardship, fee waivers are typically not available for ILR applications and Home Office refunds are rare. Some charities and community resources will help or advise on controlling these expenses.

Get Expert Immigration Guidance 

Applying for ILR under the 10-year-long residence route is a real opportunity for those who have made the UK their long-term home. The benefits of ILR include indefinite leave to remain, access to services, and a way toward citizenship. However, at the bottom line, the cost of the indefinite leave to remain and very high eligibility requirements require careful preparation. What matters is that filing and registration for the SET(LR) form and compiling continuous residency proof of every requirement increase the chances of a desired outcome. If you require professional advice on the indefinite leave to remain fee or navigating the ILR application requirements, A Y & J Solicitors offer professional services for your immigration needs. 

A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with an ILR application. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us at +44 20 7404 7933. We’re here to help!