20 Years Long Residence Applications

If you have completed 20 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK, you may be entitled to apply for leave to remain under the Private Life-Long Residence Rule. Our specialist immigration solicitors are on hand to assist with all your immigration needs.

The 20-year long residence rule is where a person who has lived in the UK lawfully continuously can apply for permission to stay in the UK for 30 months.

What is Long Residence?

There are two types of applications that are submitted based on meeting the Long Residence Rules:

If you have spent 10 years lawfully in the UK, then you can seek Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
If you have not been in the UK legally, you need to live here for 20 years to qualify for leave to remain on the basis of your long residence.

Long Residence is essentially an acknowledgement that comes from the Home Office regarding the status of a person who has remained a loyal and active member of society for such a long time.

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What are the Biggest Challenge for ILR in UK?

A person who has lived in the UK either lawfully for twenty years or more, will not qualify automatically for ILR, however, the applicant may be granted leave to remain for a period of 30 months, This period will need to be renewed and after ten years the applicant can apply for ILR.

The biggest challenge for those who wish to apply under the 20-year rule is providing documentary evidence to prove that you have lived in the UK throughout this time.

We have the expertise and knowledge to be able to advise and assist you with making these complex applications.

Leave to remain does allow the applicant to:

Travel outside of the United Kingdom return to the United Kingdom take legal permission to work claim benefits For more information please contact our expert immigration solicitors.

Key Points to Consider:

Strict criteria and detailed supporting documents are required for qualification for ILR. The immigration rules are complex, and it is vital that expert legal guidance is sought to ensure the best chance of success.

Continuous residence means that the Applicant should not, at any time, have been absent from the UK for a period of six months or more.
This period does not include any period of imprisonment. Any period of imprisonment does not mean that the twenty years period starts again; simply that it is kept on hold and recommences once the period of imprisonment is over.
Evidence is required through documentation of continuous residence in the UK for twenty years, which may include tenancy agreements, letters or statements from, HMRC, local council, doctor, bank, utility provider or family members.

Our Expertise

Our specialist immigration solicitors will be by your side throughout all stages of your application. They will discuss your circumstances and present you with options on how to proceed. Legal advice should always be sought before an application is submitted, as the case must be argued well and in detail to show evidence that you meet the requirements.

Why Choose Us?

Our solicitors have many years of experience in dealing with 20 Year Long Residence applications. They will expertly guide you in all aspects of your immigration and are ideally positioned to explain any complexities and can represent your position robustly in order to achieve your desired outcome.