You must have permission to stay (‘leave to remain’). You must also have been in the UK legally for 10 years without gaps (known as your ‘continuous residence’). This can include time on most immigration categories, or a combination of different immigration categories. You’ll usually need to have held your current permission for one year. If you have a family visa and your partner is British or settled in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave as a partner instead. Knowledge of language and life If you’re aged 18 to 65 years old, you must: pass the Life in the UK Test prove you have sufficient English language skills If you do not meet these 2 requirements you can apply to extend . Continuous residence Continuous residence is time you’ve spent in the UK without gaps. You can leave the UK during the continuous residence for up to 180 days in any 12 month period. You cannot count time spent in the UK: on a Standard Visitor visa or as a visitor without a visa on a Short-term study visa on a Seasonal Worker visa on immigration bail, temporary admission or temporary release in a prison, young offender institution or secure hospital after your permission ran out (‘overstaying’) - this includes if you were given a grant of ‘exceptional assurance’ to stay in the UK because of COVID-19 You also cannot count time spent in Ireland, the Isle of Man or Channel Islands. If your time abroad began before 11 April 2024 During the 10-year qualifying period, you do not have continuous residence if you were abroad for more than: 548 days in total 184 days in any 12-month period

Documents you must provide

You’ll need to provide: a current passport or other valid travel ID your biometric residence permit if you have one all the passports you’ve held during your time in the UK You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Apply for leave to remain (extend your stay)

You must apply to extend your stay online . Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Providing biometric information and supporting documents You’ll need to book an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) and have your supporting documents checked. You’ll be told how to do this when you apply. Children under the age of 6 do not need to provide biometric information. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. When to apply You can submit your application as soon as you meet all the eligibility requirements - you do not need to wait until your current visa expires. You must be in the UK to apply. How long it takes You’ll be told whether your application has been successful within 8 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying to extend your visa in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Your family members (‘dependants’) can apply separately if they’re eligible for indefinite leave to remain with long residence . A dependant is your: partner child You cannot include your family members (‘dependants’) in your application. Dependants who are not eligible If your dependants are not eligible to apply separately and your application for settlement is successful, they can apply to: remain in the UK as the partner of a settled person (they may be able to include their children in their application) remain in the UK as the child of a settled person Children 18 and over Your children may have to leave the UK if they’re not eligible to apply separately and are over 18. You may be able to include your dependants in your application if you apply to settle another way .

Indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK for 10 years (long residence)

Overview

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK legally for 10 continuous years (known as ‘long residence’).

Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

You must meet all the eligibility requirements.

Other ways you can stay

There is a different way to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you have a visa that’s on the basis of your private life (because of the time you’ve spent in the UK).

If you’re not eligible because of the time you’ve spent in the UK, there are other ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

If you’re not eligible for indefinite leave to remain, you may be able to extend your stay for another 2 years (known as ‘leave to remain’). You need to have already been in the UK legally for 10 years without gaps (known as your ‘continuous residence’).

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may still be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Fees and how long it takes

The fee depends on what you’re applying for.

What you’re applying for	Fee
Indefinite leave to remain	£2,885
Extend your stay	£1,048

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months if you apply using the standard service.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying to settle you can pay an extra £1,000 for the super priority service. You’ll get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday
2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK for 10 years (long residence)

Overview

Other ways you can stay

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Fees and how long it takes

Get a faster decision on your application

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Cookies on GOV.UK

Indefinite leave to remain if you’ve been in the UK for 10 years (long residence)

Overview

Other ways you can stay

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Fees and how long it takes

Get a faster decision on your application

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK