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:
"I recently reached out to AY&J Solicitors for my unmarried partner visa, and I couldn't be happier with the experience! From my very first call with Anmol in business development to working with my wonderful case associate, Ikra, the whole team has been absolutely amazing! Ikra’s expertise and warmth made the entire process—checking eligibility, organizing documents, submitting the application, and even completing biometrics—so smooth and stress-free! She was always there to answer every question I had and clear up any doubts along the way. Her patience, knowledge, and support were invaluable, and I’m thrilled to say that we received the visa faster than expected! My partner and I are so impressed with AY&J Associates' professionalism and dedication. Choosing them was the best decision, and we’ll definitely rely on their services in the future if needed. Huge thanks to Ikra and the team—you all are brilliant at what you do!"
"Highly recommend this legal service. They were incredibly quick, detailed, and knowledgeable. A special thank you to Purvaja for being absolutely incredible to work with! Recommend to anyone!"
"I recently had the pleasure of working with Amy at AY&J Solicitors for my sponsorship license, and I can't recommend her highly enough! From start to finish, Amy was amazing. She not only made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process, but her extensive knowledge truly put me at ease, even though my case was not straightforward. When we submitted everything, I was sure that everything was handled correctly! Her professionalism and dedication are evident, and it's clear that she is a great asset to the company. Thanks to her expertise and support, I felt positive about my situation every step of the way. I will definitely be using their services again in the future and will happily recommend AY & J Solicitors to others. Thank you so much, Amy and all the team!"
"Very helpful in getting my UK Visa application done."
"AY & J has Professional Immigration Associates provides realistic advice and quick responses on the queries. Appreciate you efforts of support. Thank you :)"
"Faiza helped me a lot with my Tier4 visa application .. I got my visa successfully and I made it to the UK"
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.
