Apply for Further Leave to Remain Based on 10 Years Long Residence

You can submit an FLR (LR) application online to apply for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of long residence, if you are not able to apply for ILR on the basis of 10 years of long residence. Normally, you need to apply for further leave to remain for 2 years if you are unable to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain on the basis of 10 years long residence due to your inability to pass the English Test and/or Life in the UK test. An application for further leave to remain based on 10 years of residence can only be submitted through standard service, as the UKVI does not offer Super Priority Service for FLR (LR) applications.

An application for leave to remain for 2 years based on 10 years of continuous and lawful residence is submitted to the Home Office UKVI by meeting all the eligibility requirements as set out in Appendix Long Residence of the Immigration Rules. 

Free Immigration Advice for Further Leave To Remain Based On 10 Years Long Residence

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide one-off 5-minute free immigration advice online in relation to your application for further leave to remain for 2 years based on 10 years of long residence. 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 further leave to remain for 2 years based on 10 years long residence.

Requirements For Further Leave to Remain Based on 10 Years Long Residence

The requirements for further leave to remain on the basis of 10 years long residence are laid down in paragraph 276A1 of the Immigration Rules. The requirements for further leave to remain on the basis of 10 years long residence include the following:

Valid Application Requirements

A person applying for permission to stay on the Long Residence route must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form “Application to extend your stay in the UK on the basis of long residence”

An application for permission to stay on the Long Residence route must meet all the following requirements:

• any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
• the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
• the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality.
• The applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.

An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for permission to stay on the Long Residence route may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability Requirements

The decision maker must be satisfied that the applicant should not be refused under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

The applicant must not be:

• in breach of immigration laws, except that where Appendix Suitability requirement are met, that period of overstaying will be disregarded (although it will not count towards the qualifying period); or
• on immigration bail.

Qualifying Period Requirement

The applicant must have spent a qualifying period of 10 years lawfully in the UK, for the entirety of which one or more of the following applied:

• the applicant had permission, except permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student (English language) or Seasonal Worker (or under any of their predecessor routes); or
• the applicant was exempt from immigration control; or
• the applicant was in the UK as an EEA national, or the family member of an EEA national, exercising a right to reside under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016 prior to 11pm on 31 December 2020 (and until 30 June 2021 or the final determination of an application under Appendix EU made by them by that date).

The following periods will not count towards the qualifying period for Long Residence:

• time spent on immigration bail, temporary admission or temporary release; and
• any period of overstaying between periods of permission before 24 November 2016, even if a further application was made within 28 days of the expiry of the previous permission; and
• any period of overstaying between periods of permission on or after 24 November 2016, even if the requirements of Appendix Suitability are met, that period of overstaying; and
• any current period of overstaying where paragraph 39E applies.

Disregarded periods of overstaying will not break continuous residence, but will not count towards the 10-year qualifying period. The applicant must have had permission on their current immigration route for at least 12 months on the date of application, or have been exempt from immigration control in the 12 months immediately before the date of application. This requirement does not apply to an application if the applicant’s current permission was granted before 11 April 2024. 

Continuous Residence Requirement For Further Leave Based on 10 Years Long Residence

The continuous residence requirements (paragraph LR 12.1.) are set out in Appendix Continuous Residence to the Immigration Rules.

The following periods will break the continuous residence:

• immigration bail, temporary admission, and temporary release
• permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student (English language) or Seasonal Worker (or any of their predecessor routes)
• overstaying, which is not disregarded

The following periods will not break continuous residence:

• overstaying which is disregarded
• Appendix Continuous Residence (at paragraph CR 2.2A) recognises that its provisions are different from the previous long residence rules at paragraph 276A and makes transitional arrangements specifically for long residence applicants. These transitional arrangements preserve the position that continuous residence will be broken if an applicant has been absent from the UK for more than 184 days at any one time or for more than a total of 548 days overall, where that absence started before 11 April 2024. This means that:
  • any single absences started before 11 April 2024 must be no longer than 184 days
  • a 10-year period completed before 11 April 2024 must not have total absences of more than 548 days - for 10-year periods which extend beyond 11 April 2024, there is no 548-day limit
  • from 11 April 2024, the applicant must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period

Paragraph CR 4.1.(d)(iii) also preserves the position in the rules as of 10 April 2024 for applicants who had permission when they left the UK and returned to the UK with valid permission, provided they do not exceed the limit of permissible absences.

Time Spent in The UK On Exceptional Assurance

No periods of exceptional assurance between 1 September 2020 and 28 February 2023 are included in the calculation of the continuous residence for the qualifying period. However, any extensions of leave granted under the Coronavirus extension concession and the following grace period (covering 24 January to 31 August 2020) count toward the qualifying period requirement.

Time Spent in the Republic of Ireland and Crown Dependencies

Even though they form part of the common travel area, time spent in the Republic of Ireland or the Crown Dependencies (the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) with permission does not count in the calculation of the qualifying period for the purposes of long residence.

Time spent in the UK with the right to reside under EEA regulations

EEA nationals and their recognised family members who were residents in the UK before Free Movement ended at 11 pm GMT on 31 December 2020 could still, under the Withdrawal Agreement, continue to exercise EEA residential rights in the UK until the end of the grace period, namely 30 June 2021. After that date, these individuals should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to regularise their permission under the Immigration Rules Appendix EU and avoid being in the UK unlawfully. Sufficient evidence must be provided to demonstrate that the applicant has been exercising treaty rights throughout any period that they are seeking to rely on for the purposes of meeting the long residence rules. Whether a period of residence is counted, or not, for the purpose of long residence does not affect the rights of family members of EEA nationals to have previously acquired permanent residence in the UK, where they qualify for it after a period of 5 years residence under Regulation 15 of the EEA Regulations. 

If an applicant was in the UK with a right to reside under EEA Regulations, continuous residence is not broken if they leave the UK and are then re-admitted under the EEA Regulations.

Time spent in the UK as a British citizen

Time spent in the UK as a British citizen must be counted in the qualifying period. Although some people may have spent time in the UK as British citizens and have since renounced their British citizenship, this time spent as a British citizen in the UK would still count in the qualifying period for 10-year-long residence applications.

Time spent in the UK whilst exempt from immigration control

Time spent in the UK, exempt from immigration control, must be counted in the qualifying period. People exempt from immigration control include diplomats and members of the armed forces.

Deemed leave for diplomats and 28 days' leave outside the rules for former members of the armed forces

‘Deemed leave’ is a 90-day period of permission given to diplomats once their period of exemption from the immigration control period ends. Former members of the armed forces will normally be granted 28 days' leave outside the Immigration Rules when they cease to be exempt on discharge.

By the end of the 90 or 28 days, the person must either:

• apply for permission
• depart the UK

A person with deemed leave does not receive an endorsement in their passport. However, a former member of the armed forces will have an endorsement in their passport. If a person applies to extend their stay in the UK within 90 or 28 days (as appropriate) of their exemption ending and is granted a period of permission, their continuous residence is not broken. If a person remains in the UK and does not apply for further permission within the 90 or 28 days described above, their continuous residence is broken.

Documents For FLR (LR) Application

The supporting documents are key to succeeding in an application for further leave to remain on the basis of 10 years long residence. Supporting documents for an application for further leave to remain may vary from case to case depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant. Generally, the following documents may be required for an application for further leave to remain on the basis of 10 years long residence:

• All passports covering the relevant 10 years qualifying period of long residence;
• BRP card of the applicant;
• Any evidence of private and family life established in the UK;
• Any other evidence which may be relevant to address any particular issue in the long residence application, including, e.g. one of the previous passports is missing; the applicant exceeded the permitted number of days absent from the UK; previous gaps in between the periods of leave to remain applications, etc.
• Any documents or information that are relevant to argue why the Home Office UKVI should exercise discretion to grant the application, where reliance is being made on the discretion of the Home Office UKVI in approving the long residence application.

Our expert team of immigration solicitors can provide the specific list of documents upon assessing all the relevant circumstances of the applicant and after identifying issues, if any, in the long residence application.

How Can We Help With Your FLR (LR) Application?

Our specialist team of long residence solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed fee basis in relation to your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of residence. Our fixed fee for your application for further leave to remain for 2 years, based on the 10-year-long residence, will cover all the work of our immigration solicitors on your long residence application. The casework to be carried out by our long residence solicitors in relation to your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence will entail the following:

Advice on requirements: Our long residence solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you have to meet for your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence to succeed.

Advice on documents: Our long residence lawyers will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to be submitted in support of your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence.

Assessment of documents: Our long residence lawyers will assess your documents to make sure that all the documents you provide in support of your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of residence are in accordance with the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Completing the application form: Our long residence lawyers will complete the relevant application form for your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of long residence.

Submitting an application online: Our immigration lawyers will submit your online application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of long residence.

Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years' long residence, our long residence solicitors will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.

Preparing a detailed cover letter: Our specialist long residence solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence, explaining how all the legal requirements are met for the approval of your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence.

Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our long residence solicitors will upload online all the supporting documents to be considered in support of your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence.

Follow-up work: Our long residence solicitors will carry out all the follow-up work until a decision by the Home Office UKVI on your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of residence.

Why Choose Us For Your FLR (LR) Application?

There are a number of reasons why you can choose our immigration solicitors and lawyers in London to handle your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence from inside the UK. The main reasons include the following:

High-Quality Legal Services: Our team of the best immigration solicitors in London provides high-quality legal services for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of residence from inside the UK. 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.

Remote Legal Services: Our specialist immigration solicitors and lawyers can provide you with expert immigration advice and legal representation remotely from our offices in London. Using modern technology, our specialist immigration solicitors and lawyers can handle your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence remotely without the need for you to visit our offices. Whilst we are more than happy to welcome clients into our offices, if this is their preference, we are proud to offer our legal services for your application remotely to save you time and travel costs.

Open 7 Days A Week: We are open seven days a week and pride ourselves on providing dedicated immigration advice and legal representation for your application for leave to remain on the basis of 10 years long residence.

All Work Carried Out By Qualified Specialist Immigration Solicitors: Our specialist team of fully qualified and experienced immigration solicitors, who have extensive experience dealing with long residence applications, will carry out all the casework on your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of long residence.

Free Immigration Advice Online: Our specialist team of immigration solicitors and lawyers can provide one-off free immigration advice online, via our website enquiry form, for further leave to remain for 2 years.

Fixed Fees With Payment Plan: Our immigration solicitors and lawyers charge reasonable and affordable fixed fees for an application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence with an option to pay our fixed fee in two instalments whereby you pay half of the agreed fix fee when we start our work on your application and the remaining half when we have fully prepared the application and it is ready for submission to the Home Office UKVI.

Our Team of Specialist Immigration Solicitors for Long Residence Applications

Our immigration solicitors are specialists in long residence applications for an extension of stay based on 10 years long residence. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients successfully extend leave to remain based on 10 years long residence. 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 an extension of stay based on 10 yeasr long residence. 

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.

Our team of expert immigration solicitors and lawyers is proficient in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Marathi, Farsi, Italian, and German, enabling us to communicate effectively with you regarding your immigration matters.

Schedule Your Consultation With Our Immigration Solicitors

Are you seeking expert immigration advice and consultation from our highly experienced and qualified team of immigration solicitors and lawyers in London? It's easy to secure an appointment with our dedicated long residence law specialists. Our expert team of immigration solicitors and advisors can provide detailed immigration advice and consultation, face-to-face in our offices in London and Birmingham or virtually via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or Phone. Book your appointment today using the appointment booking link provided below:

• Book An Appointment Online With Our Immigration Solicitors in London

Our immigration experts are ready to assist you with your UK visa and immigration concerns. Book your appointment today for personalised guidance and support.

Our Fixed Fees for FLR (LR) Application Based On 10 Years Long Residence

Our immigration solicitors will charge a fixed fee ranging from £1,000 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT for your application for further leave to remain for 2 years based on 10 years long residence. 

Our fixed fee will cover all our work on your application including advising on documents, checking your documents, completing the application form and submitting the application online, booking an appointment for biometrics enrolment, preparing a cover letter in support of the application, uploading all supporting documents to be considered in support of the application, and carrying out all other follow up work until decision by the Home Office UKVI on your application.

Our fixed fee will depend on the complexity of your case and the volume of work involved in your application. You will make an initial payment of half our fee when we start working on your matter, and the remaining half is due once we have fully prepared the application and it is ready for submission.

Our fixed fee for your application for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of residence does not cover any disbursements, e.g., UKVI fees. The applicant has to pay the Home Office UKVI fees separately.

Get a Fixed Fee Quote for Your Immigration Matter

Other Related Services

• Long Residence Applications
• ILR - 10 Years Long Residence
• 20 Years Long Residence
• Dependants Switching Into Spouse Visa UK
• Family Visa UK
• Naturalisation as a British Citizen After ILR Grant

FAQs - Further Leave To Remain Based on 10 Years Long Residence

The following are the various frequently asked questions (FAQs) about an application for further leave to remain for 2 years based on 10 years long residence: 

What is Further Leave to Remain based on 10 years’ long residence?

Further Leave to Remain (FLR) based on 10 years’ long residence is a grant of limited leave for 2 years under the long residence provisions, where an applicant qualifies under the 10-year continuous lawful residence route but is not granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

At Premium Solicitors, our specialist long residence solicitors assess whether you qualify for ILR under the 10-year route or whether an alternative grant of further leave may apply in your case.

When would the Home Office grant 2 years' leave instead of ILR after 10 years?

A grant of further leave rather than ILR may arise where the applicant meets all other requirements for the ILR 10 years' long residence except the English language requirement and/or Life in the UK test requirement. 

Our experienced immigration solicitors carefully analyse Home Office guidance to identify whether a grant of limited leave is likely in your case.

What is the difference between ILR and 2 years’ Further Leave to Remain?

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) provides permanent settlement in the UK with no time restriction.

Further Leave to Remain (FLR) is a 2-year temporary leave that must be extended before expiry.

With ILR, you can:

• Live and work in the UK without restriction
• Access public funds (if eligible)
• Apply for British citizenship (subject to residence requirements)

With Further Leave to Remain for 2 years, you:

• Must comply with visa conditions
• Cannot be absent from the UK excessively
• Must apply again before expiry

Premium Solicitors provide clear advice on whether to pursue ILR or accept limited leave and prepare a future pathway to settlement.

Can I work if I am granted 2 years’ Further Leave to Remain?

Yes. Most grants of Further Leave to Remain allow you to:

• Work (employed or self-employed)
• Study
• Access the NHS (subject to Immigration Health Surcharge if applicable)

The grant of 2 years' further leave to remain is normally granted in line with the terms and conditions of your last grant of leave. 

Our immigration lawyers ensure you fully understand your visa conditions.

Can I apply for ILR after being granted 2 years’ leave?

Yes. In many cases, you may later qualify for ILR once:

• Any suitability issues are resolved
• You meet the English language requirement
• You pass the Life in the UK Test
• You continue to satisfy long residence requirements

Premium Solicitors provide strategic immigration planning to move clients from limited leave to permanent settlement.

What documents are required for a Further Leave to Remain application based on 10 years long residence?

The documents required to support a 2-year further leave to remain based on 10 years of long residence may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances. Typical documents may include:

• Passport(s) covering the 10-year period
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa document
• Evidence of lawful residence history
• Absence records
• Previous visa approvals
• Supporting personal statements

Every case is fact-specific. We prepare comprehensive legal representations to support long residence applications.

What are common reasons for refusal under the 10-year long residence route?

Common reasons for refusal of an application for further leave to remain for 2 years based on the 10-year long residence include:

• Excessive absences from the UK
• Gaps in lawful residence
• Criminal convictions
• Use of deception in previous applications
• Incomplete documentation

Our specialist immigration solicitors conduct detailed eligibility assessments before submission to reduce refusal risks.

Can overstayers apply for Further Leave to Remain based on 10 years?

It depends on the circumstances. Generally, a person who has not overstayed for more than 14 days may be able to apply for further leave to remain based on 10 years long residence if the requirements of Appendix Suitability are met. 

While lawful residence is generally required for the 10-year route, there are limited situations where short periods of overstaying may be disregarded under Home Office policy.

If you have a complex immigration history, Premium Solicitors can assess whether you qualify under long residence or alternative human rights grounds.

How long does the Home Office take to process a long residence application?

The Home Office UKVI normally processes the further leave to remain application within 6 months based on 10 years of residence. You cannot submit the FLR (LR) application through Super Priority Service. 

Our team assists with preparing complete applications to reduce delays.

Can I apply for further leave to remain on the basis of 10 years long residence using Priority or Super Priority Service?

No, Priority or Super Priority Service is not available for FLR (LR) application, and the only option available is to apply for further leave to remain on the basis of 10 years of long residence using standard service.

Do I need to pass the English test or the Life in the UK test to apply for further leave to remain based on 10 years' long residence?

No, you do not need to pass the English test or Life in the UK test to apply for further leave to remain on the basis of 10 years long residence.

What application form should I use to apply for further leave to remain on the basis of 10 years' long residence?

You should submit an FLR (LR) application online to apply for further leave to remain for 2 years based on your 10 years of long residence.

When can I apply for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years long residence?

28 days before completing 10 years of long residence, you can apply for further leave to remain for 2 years on the basis of 10 years of long residence.

Why choose Premium Solicitors for a 10-year long residence application?

Premium Solicitors is a specialist UK immigration law firm offering:

• Expert long residence immigration solicitors
• Detailed residence history audits
• Fixed-fee services with no hidden costs
• Remote services across the UK and internationally
• Professional legal representation tailored to your case
• Clear advice on ILR vs Further Leave strategy

We assist clients 7 days a week, 365 days a year, ensuring careful preparation and strategic immigration planning.