Applicants may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) up to 28 days before reaching a total of 10 years of lawful residence, including time granted under the 20-year long residence provision. The ILR application based on 20 years of continuous residence must align with the requirements outlined in Appendix Private Life of the UK Immigration Rules. For faster processing, you may submit your ILR application via the Super Priority Service, which typically provides a decision within 24 hours.

Aden & Co Solicitors, a distinguished UK immigration law firm, is widely recognised for its exceptional legal expertise. Our team of fully qualified immigration solicitors holds a consistent record of 5-star client feedback on Google, reflecting the quality and reliability of our services.

We offer efficient, client-focused, and fixed-fee legal support tailored to your ILR application under the 20-year long residence route. You can reach out to our experienced immigration solicitors for a free initial online consultation or schedule a one-on-one appointment for comprehensive legal advice and representation regarding your case.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on the Basis of 20 Years Long Residence – Eligibility Criteria

Individuals seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK under the 20-year long residence category must comply with the requirements outlined in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. Below is a comprehensive overview of the key eligibility conditions, as advised by Aden & Co Solicitors.

Submission of a Valid Application
Applicants are required to file a lawful and complete application in accordance with the standards set under Appendix Private Life. This includes ensuring all necessary documentation is submitted and the correct application form is used.

Meeting Suitability Criteria
Applicants must not be deemed unsuitable for ILR under any of the following provisions:

• Refusal grounds stated under Appendix FM, specifically paragraphs S-ILR.1.2, S-ILR.1.6 to S-ILR.1.10, and S-ILR.3.1
• Suitability grounds in S-ILR.2.2, and S-ILR.4.2 to S-ILR.4.5, subject to the discretion under PL 12.4
• Paragraph 9.6.1 of Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, also subject to PL 12.4

Furthermore, the applicant must not have been convicted in the UK or abroad of any criminal offence resulting in a custodial sentence of 12 months or more.

If the applicant has been sentenced to imprisonment of less than 12 months, they may still qualify only if they have completed at least 10 years of lawful continuous residence, and an additional 5 years of residence post-sentence as specified in PL 12.6.

Applicants seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) must maintain lawful residence throughout the qualifying period. In cases where specific adverse factors arise during this time, settlement will be refused—unless the individual has completed a continuous 10-year qualifying period as outlined in PL 12.6 and has also spent at least 5 uninterrupted years in the UK under eligible immigration status following the date the adverse issue came to the attention of the Home Office.

These disqualifying factors include:

• Participation in a sham marriage or civil partnership, as referenced in Part 9, paragraph 9.6.1.
• Submission of fraudulent documentation, misinformation, or any act of deception under S-ILR.2.2, S-ILR.4.2, or S-ILR.4.3 of Appendix FM.
• Any unresolved litigation-related financial liabilities owed to the Home Office, unless fully paid as per S-ILR.4.4.
• Outstanding NHS debts over £500, or any NHS debt not yet settled, referenced under S-ILR.4.5.
• Breach of the conditions attached to the individual’s immigration permission.

To qualify under the 10-year continuous residence route, applicants must have held valid permission across the qualifying period in one or more of the following categories:

• Entry clearance or leave as a partner or parent under Appendix FM (excluding fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner status).
• Leave granted under Home Office communications identified as “family permission as a parent” or “family permission as a partner.”
• Leave to remain on private life grounds under paragraph 276ADE, 276BE(2) before 20 June 2022, or under Appendix Private Life.
• Entry clearance or leave to remain as a child of a parent or partner holding limited leave under Appendix FM.
• Leave granted outside the Immigration Rules on the basis of private or family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Applicants must not be in breach of immigration law at the time of application. However, any period of overstaying may be exempt where paragraph 39E of the Immigration Rules applies. Additionally, the applicant must not be on immigration bail.

Private Life Route Requirement

For those applying for ILR based on 20 years of long residence, it is mandatory that their most recent grant of permission— or their current immigration status—falls under the Private Life route.

10-Year Qualifying Period Requirement Under Appendix Private Life

In accordance with PL 14.2 of Appendix Private Life of the UK Immigration Rules, an applicant aged 18 or above at the time of submitting their application—who does not meet the conditions set out in PL 14.1—must demonstrate continuous lawful residence in the UK for a qualifying period of 10 years. This period must include valid immigration status as outlined under PL 14.3 or PL 14.4.

While certain periods of overstaying may be legally disregarded when assessing continuous residence, they do not contribute to the calculation of the qualifying period. This interpretation follows the legal precedent established in R (on the application of Afzal) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWCA Civ 1909.

Eligible Visa Routes Towards the 10-Year Residency Requirement

The following immigration categories—or a combination of them—are considered valid towards fulfilling the 10-year continuous residence requirement under PL 14.2:

• Entry clearance or leave to remain granted as a partner or parent under Appendix FM (excluding fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner routes);
• Residence permitted as “family permission as a parent” or “family permission as a partner,” as stated in the Home Office decision letter;
• Leave granted under the Private Life provisions in paragraph 276ADE or 276BE(2) (prior to 20 June 2022), or under the current Appendix Private Life;
• Entry clearance or leave as a child of a person with limited leave as a partner or parent under Appendix FM;
• Discretionary leave granted outside the Immigration Rules due to private or family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Additionally, any other visa category that includes provisions leading to settlement may also be counted towards the 10-year requirement under PL 14.1 or PL 14.2—provided the applicant:

• Did not initially enter the UK without lawful status (unless applying under the private life route as a child or young adult); and
• Has held valid leave either under paragraph 276ADE or 276BE(2) prior to 20 June 2022, or under Appendix Private Life, for at least one year by the date of application.

Settlement Eligibility Criteria – Key Requirements

To qualify for settlement in the UK, the applicant must fulfill the continuous residence condition as outlined in Appendix Continuous Residence. This entails maintaining lawful and uninterrupted residence in the UK for the required qualifying period.

English Language Proficiency

Unless a specific exemption is applicable, the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in English at a minimum of level B1, in both speaking and listening, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Compliance with the English language standards must align with the provisions detailed in Appendix English Language.

Life in the UK Knowledge

Applicants are also required to satisfy the Life in the UK knowledge requirement, unless an exemption is granted. This must be in accordance with the regulations specified under Appendix KOL UK.

Expedited ILR Decisions Within 24 Hours – Super Priority Service
At Aden & Co Solicitors, a leading team of immigration law experts based in London, we are officially registered with the UK Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and UKVCAS Sopra Steria. We offer Super Priority Service for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications under the 20-year long residence rule, enabling you to receive a decision within 24 hours of biometric enrolment—eliminating the lengthy waiting period that can often extend to months or even years.

How Aden & Co Solicitors Can Assist You

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our experienced immigration team offers expert legal assistance and comprehensive representation on a fixed fee basis for applications seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the 20-year long residence route. Our fixed fee covers the complete handling of your case from initial consultation through to the final decision by the Home Office UKVI, ensuring a transparent and stress-free process.

When you instruct Aden & Co Solicitors to manage your ILR application under the 20-year long residence category, we provide end-to-end legal services which include:

• Eligibility Assessment and Legal Advice: Our immigration experts will provide tailored advice on the Home Office requirements specific to the 20-year long residence ILR route, ensuring your eligibility is thoroughly assessed.
• Tailored Document Checklist: We will create and share a detailed list of the necessary supporting documents required for a successful application under this immigration route.
• Document Verification: Our legal team will carefully examine all submitted documents to ensure they comply fully with the UK Immigration Rules, eliminating the risk of refusal due to documentation errors.
• Application Form Completion: We will accurately complete your ILR application form to reflect your circumstances and immigration history under the 20-year rule.
• Priority or Super Priority Submission: Where available, we will expedite your application by submitting it via the Home Office’s Priority or Super Priority Service for a quicker decision.
• Biometric Appointment Booking: Following submission, we will arrange your biometrics appointment at the relevant visa application centre for identity verification.
• Drafting of Legal Cover Letter: Our legal representatives will draft a detailed covering letter to accompany your ILR application, clearly addressing how all legal criteria are satisfied under the 20-year residence provision.
• Online Document Upload: Prior to your biometric appointment, we will securely upload all supporting documents to ensure timely and accurate processing by the Home Office.
• Post-Submission Liaison: Our legal team will handle all correspondence and follow-up with UKVI, keeping you informed until a final decision is issued.

Tailored One-Off Immigration Services by Aden & Co Solicitors

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer an extensive selection of standalone legal services designed to support individuals navigating the complexities of UK visa and immigration applications. These services are ideal for applicants who prefer not to engage in full legal representation but still seek expert assistance at critical stages of their application process.

Our one-off immigration services include:

Aden & Co Solicitors – Fixed Fee Structure for ILR Applications (20 Years Long Residence Route)

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer a transparent fixed-fee service for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications under the 20 Years Long Residence category. Our professional charges range from £1,000 to £2,000 (exclusive of VAT), depending on the complexity of the case and the scope of work required.

We also offer a Super Priority Service option, enabling a decision from UKVI within 24 hours of biometric enrolment, subject to availability. Please note, our fixed professional fee excludes all disbursements, including the mandatory Home Office application charges, which must be paid separately by the applicant.

Request a Tailored Fixed Fee Quote for Your UK Visa & Immigration Services

If you’re seeking expert legal assistance for your UK visa or immigration matter, look no further. Click the link below to receive a customized fixed-fee quote designed specifically to meet your requirements.