When you've lived in the UK for more than a decade, it's normal to want to stay here permanently. Unfortunately, the British government has made it difficult for migrants to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain, especially those applying under the long residence route. That's where our experts come in. With an in-depth understanding of ILR requirements, we're here to ensure you meet all requirements and have the highest chance of approval possible. We'll help you convert your long-term residence in the UK into a permanent UK settlement through ILR in an easy, stress-free way.
At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we’ve helped countless clients submit a successful long residence application. We understand your desire to remain in the UK and have spent years ensuring the applications completed on behalf of our clients meet all ILR requirements. Our lawyers will provide you with the guidance and answers you're looking for, so you can stay in the UK for as long as you wish.
Abida Ali
We are specialists in immigration law and have supported more than 4,000 business owners and professionals around the globe to successfully navigate the UK system. We work quickly, always responding to any queries within 24 working hours. And we work closely with the Home Office to pre-empt issues before they jeopardise sponsorship applications or breach compliance. We manage all United Kingdom immigration matters, including visa applications under the new points-based immigration system, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Spouse Visas, nationality and more. We also handle complex cases of appeal, administrative reviews, judicial reviews and the many immigration challenges involving European Union law and human rights.
A Y & J Solicitors has more than 1,200 positive client reviews across Google and Trustpilot and is listed in The Legal top 500 best UK law firms, so you can rest assured your immigration challenges are in safe hands when you take these three simple steps:
"Great service , very knowledgable , professional and strait forward , NO hidden fees , special thanks to Nagina for her great service and support during the application, and thanks for AY&J team and top managment. I Highly recommend them! Thank you!"
"As an employer doing a skilled work visa for one of my team for the first time, I was very worried at the start with selecting the right team to deal with. Everyone at the team here responded quickly, got everything done as they said they would do. Would highly recommend :)"
"I have worked with AY&J Solicitors specifically AMY on matters relating to immigration, they helped with all areas, from gaining a sponsorship licence, applications relating to COS, and visas, all of which have been successful. I personally would recommend their services as I find they are extremely helpful and give are willing to answer your calls very quickly which is extremely helpful. more importantly they know what is required and take all the pressure away from you. easy process, you want to succeed then take my advise and hire AY&J Solicitors"
"I had the pleasure of working with Aileen and Todd for my ILR application, and I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience and the outcome. From the very beginning, they were extremely thorough and responsive. Thanks to their expertise and dedication, my application was handled extremely efficiently, and I am thrilled with the smooth running of the entire process which can be quite stressful to do on your own. Highly recommend!"
"Incredibly grateful to our caseworker Mr. Imad and A Y & J Solicitors for their exceptional support and expertise in handling my visa case. Their team guided me through every step of the process with professionalism, patience, and thorough knowledge of immigration laws. They were always available to answer my questions and provided clear advice that made the process smooth and stress-free. Thanks to their hard work, I successfully received my visa, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I highly recommend A Y & J Solicitors to anyone seeking reliable and efficient immigration services. They truly go above and beyond for their clients."
"I would recommend AY&J associates. They are very professional and knowledgeable. We had a great experience in our visa application process. James, Amy and Dia have guided us at every step and have made our visa application a success."
To successfully apply for ILR under the long residence route, you must meet the following criteria:
If you do not meet the above eligibility criteria, you may be able to extend your leave. Our expert immigration lawyers can assist you with exploring options.
Note: ILR status can be revoked if you live outside the UK for more than two years.
To apply for ILR under the long residence route, you need to fill in Form SET(LR) and send it to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), along with the required supporting documents listed below and your biometric information.
Applications for ILR are made online. It is important to ensure all information in your application is accurate and applicable to your case. You must pay a fee to apply, and you do not get a refund if you are refused. Common reasons for refusal include:
Our lawyers will assist you with your ILR application, advising you from beginning to end. We can include a strong cover letter (i.e. Legal Representation) with your application highlighting the merits of your case and any special circumstances that need to be addressed. This can greatly enhance your chance of having your Indefinite Leave to Remain UK 10 Years application approved.
You will need to provide the following documents when applying for ILR (Note: This is not an exhaustive list):
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Reach out to us to learn more about your long residence requirements.
Indefinite Leave to Remain provides you and your family the opportunity to advance your secure status in the UK. Those with ILR can live and work in the UK, free from visa restrictions. You can also leave the UK without the fear of not being allowed to return.
Our lawyers are very familiar with the application for this route and have successfully helped many grateful clients navigate the process. From the initial consultation, until you receive a decision on your application, we’ll make the process easy and hassle-free.
ILR refusals can be devastating. Our expert team can move swiftly to advise you on the options available when your application is refused. Options include resubmitting your ILR application, applying for Judicial Review, or launching a potential appeal. We will advise you on the best steps to take depending on your specific circumstances.
To be eligible for indefinite leave to remain long residence, you must meet the continuous residency requirements. This means that you cannot have been outside the UK for more than 540 days in the last 10 years (or 180 days in any single absence) There are exceptions to this rule in certain circumstances, but you should be careful and diligent in explaining your absences from the UK. Our lawyers can help with this. Learn more here.
You can apply to extend your leave by filling in the form FLR(LR). You may receive notice within eight weeks as to whether or not your application has been successful. UKVI can also contact you if there are complexities surrounding your application, for example, if they require you to attend an interview. If you are called in for an interview, our team will assist you with preparing for the event by running through the questions you are likely to be asked by immigration officials.
There is another route to ILR known as long residence, which is anchored by having lived legally in the UK for ten consecutive years. Unlike other ILR routes, this route will not take into consideration a person’s visa type or employment status but will only consider the duration and legal status of his stay.
However, you cannot count time as long residence under the following categories:
The 10-year continuity must be proved, and also the applicant should not be out of the UK for more than 180 days in any single year. They had to have had a valid visa permit at the time of this period as well. Moreover, they have to pass the ‘Life in the UK’ test, demonstrate English proficiency, and produce all relevant documents to prove their legal residence status.
Any person who is in the UK for a 10-year period can apply for ILR and achieve permanent UK settlement.
At A Y & J Solicitors, we have a forensic understanding of the ILR application and its requirements, especially the one based on long residence. Our team that works on the ILR applications has extensive knowledge of ILR regulation and maintains a very high success rate for clients. Our firm does not have hidden charges and additional expenses for its customers. During the first appointment, through to deciding on your ILR, you will receive our friendly and compassionate service.
During the first meeting, we attend to our clients via in-office consultations in our central London office or through online, telephone or Skype consultations. Also, the multilingual staff, who can speak and understand Hindi, Gujarati, Romanian, Albanian, and Italian, facilitates good and efficient communication of your needs.
Deciding to go with A Y & J Solicitors means collaborating with a team of immigration lawyers, a company that will ensure that you get your ILR application the best chance of success.
