Initial Application based on 20 Years Long Residence - Private Life Application

: Written by: Arshad Mahmood; Last Updated: 13 April 2026

You can apply for initial leave to remain for 30 months if you have lived in the UK continuously for at least 20 years, whether lawfully or unlawfully. An application for an initial leave to remain on the basis of 20 years' long residence is made in accordance with the requirements as set out in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. As a result of a successful application on the basis of 20 years of residence, the applicant will be granted leave to remain for 30 months under the 10-year route to settlement, which means the applicant can apply for ILR after 10 years of continuous residence with leave to remain granted on the basis of 20 years of residence.

Premium Solicitors, open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, are specialist UK immigration solicitors. The high quality of UK visa and immigration services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced SRA-regulated immigration solicitors is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients.

Free Immigration Advice for 20 Years' Long Residence Applications

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide 5 minutes of free, one-off immigration advice regarding your application for leave to remain based on 20 years long residence under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your application for leave to remain based on 20 years long residence.

Requirements for Initial Leave to Remain Based on 20 Years Long Residence

A person applying for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence should meet the following requirements of the Immigration Rules as set out in Appendix Private Life:

Valid Application

The applicant must submit a valid application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years of long residence in accordance with the requirements for a valid application as set out in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.

Suitability Requirements

The applicant's application for initial leave to remain on the basis of 20 years' long residence must not fall for refusal on suitability grounds as set out in the Immigration Rules.

Residence Requirement

The applicant must have been continuously resident in the UK for more than 20 years.

The period of continuous residence may include time spent in the UK with or without permission. The period of continuous residence does not include any period during which the applicant was serving a sentence of imprisonment or was detained in an institution other than a prison.

The period of continuous residence is broken (i.e. is no longer continuous) if any of the following apply:

the applicant has been absent from the UK for more than 6 months at any one time; or
the applicant has spent a total of 550 days or more absent from the UK during the relevant period of continuous residence of 20 years; or
the applicant has been removed, deported or has left the UK having had an application for permission to enter or stay in the UK refused; or
the applicant left the UK with no reasonable expectation at the time of leaving that they would lawfully be able to return.

Exclusion For Certain Asylum Seekers

An applicant who has made a protection or asylum claim which has been declared inadmissible under Part 11 of these rules before 28 June 2022, or under section 80B and 80C of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, and which continues to be treated as inadmissible, cannot meet the requirement at PL 5.1(b).

Super Priority Service For Decision Within 24 Hours

As specialist immigration solicitors based in London, we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) to provide Super Priority Service for initial application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence whereby a decision on your application will be made within 24 hours if you submit your application through Super Priority Service. This way, you may not have to wait months (sometimes years) for a decision on your application.

How Can We Help?

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed fee basis in relation to your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years of long residence. Our fixed fee for your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence will cover all the work of our immigration solicitors on your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence until a decision is made by the Home Office UKVI on your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence. The casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence will entail the following:

Advice on requirements: Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you have to meet for your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence to succeed.

Advice on documents: Our immigration lawyers will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to be submitted in support of your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence;

Assessment of documents: Our immigration lawyers will assess your documents to ensure that all documents you provide in support of your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years of residence comply with the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Completing the application form: Our immigration lawyers will complete the relevant application form for your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years of residence.

Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence, our immigration lawyers will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.

Preparing a detailed cover letter: Our specialist immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence, explaining how all the legal requirements are met for the approval of your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence.

Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our immigration lawyers will upload online all the supporting documents to be considered in support of your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years long residence.

Follow-up work: Our immigration lawyers will carry out all follow-up work until the Home Office UKVI issues a decision on your application for leave to remain on the basis of 20 years of long residence.

Specialist Immigration Solicitors for 20 Years Long Residence Applications

Our immigration solicitors are specialists in 20 years long residence applications. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients successfully get permission to stay in the UK under the 20 years long residence route. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your application for leave to remain based on 20 years long residence under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.

The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.

Meet Our Team of immigration solicitors in London

At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the application process with professionalism and care.

Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.