Indefinite Leave to Remain / 10 years route

Hello,

I will be completing 10 years in the UK by March 2025.

I would like to know whether I need to seek assistance from an immigration consultant for my ILR application (assuming the process is complex), or if, based on previous experience of submitting visa applications on the gov.uk website, can someone complete it themselves.

My dependents’ visas are valid until July 2026. I hope that moving to ILR next month will not affect their visa status. Please confirm.

Is the "Life in the UK" test mandatory for someone who has lived in the UK for 10 years? I do not see it listed among the required documents after filling out most part of the application online.

Can ILR be applied for on a priority basis to receive a decision within a few days instead of waiting for months?

Regards,
Krishna

The process to apply using form SET(LR) is straightforward. You need to pass the life in the UK test. Super priority visa service is available. Your dependant visas remain valid until expiry, after you apply or when get ILR

Hello,

I just received the below email from Home Office. Could you please help with the below queries?

I have completed 10 years in UK (from March'2015 to till date on different visas including Tier 2 ICT, Tier 4 Dependent (during cool off period) and now on PBS Skilled Worker Visa)

I have applied for the Settlement Private Life / ILR (assuming it is 10 years route) in Apr'25 and got the below email today

1. What is the right visa or gov.uk link to apply for ILR under 10 years continuous residence?
2. Any idea on how much refund will be issued for my incorrect application?
3. Once the correct application is submitted, do I need to go through the complete biometrics process again?
4. Will they consider the time that I have waited for (approx 4 months time) while processing the new application and give the decision in next 2 months (overall 6 months is what it takes for processing ILR visa)?



Email----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear XXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX

Ref: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

Thank you for your recent application for Settlement in the UK.

Your application has been made using a Settlement – Private Life application form for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which is considered in accordance with criteria laid out in Appendix Settlement Private Life which can be viewed at:
Immigration Rules – Immigration Rules Appendix Private Life – Guidance – GOV.​UK (www.gov.uk)

However, your immigration history shows that you do not currently have permission or were last granted permission on the Private Life route. You were last granted limited leave to remain on 13/06/2023 on a Tier 2 general application.

Please refer to your Home Office decision letter dated 13/06/2023 for further information.

As you do not hold any leave on the Private Life route, it is highly unlikely that your Settlement Private Life application would succeed and result in a grant of ILR.

This is in line with the validity requirements of Appendix Settlement Private Life which state:
Validity requirements for settlement on the Private Life route
PL 11.1. A person on the Private Life route who is applying for settlement must apply online on the gov.​uk website on the specified form as follows:
Adult (aged 18 or over)
Settlement on the private life route
Child (aged under 18)
Settlement as a child (including a child aged over 18 already in the UK as a dependent)
PL 11.2. An application for settlement must meet all the following requirements:
(a) any fee must have been paid; and
(b) the applicant must have provided any required biometrics; and
(c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
(d) the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
PL 11.3. An applicant must have, or have last been granted, permission on the Private Life route, unless they are a child who was born in the UK.
PL 11.4. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for settlement on the Private Life route is invalid and may be rejected and not considered.

Accordingly, we would like to give you the opportunity to review your application. If after you have reviewed your application, you choose to submit a further application on another route, please advise us as soon as possible and this will be treated as a variation.

Please note, if you wish to vary (change) your application, you will need to submit the correct application for route you wish to apply for within 14 days 03/09/2025, pay the application fee, and resubmit your supporting documents. Once you have submitted a correct application a refund will be issued for the incorrect application.

If you choose not to have your Settlement application varied or do not reply within 14 days 03/09/2025 of the date of this email, your application may be rejected as invalid under the validity requirements above and will not be considered.

When you have a unique application number (UAN) for the new submitted application, please advise us by email at: xxxxxxxxxx@homeoffice.gov.uk

If you require further advice about your eligibility under the Immigration Rules, visit our website at www.gov.uk/uk-visas-immigration.

If you are unclear about your choices, you are strongly urged to consult with an accredited Immigration Adviser for further guidance.

Yours sincerely,
XXXXX

Email----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

zimba wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:25 pm

The process to apply using form SET(LR) is straightforward. You need to pass the life in the UK test. Super priority visa service is available. Your dependant visas remain valid until expiry, after you apply or when get ILR

I literally told you back in February that you should use the form SET(LR) for a long residence application.
Why did you apply under private life ? That is a completely different route

You should apply for a new application (from scratch) under the correct form SET(LR). You should attend the biometrics as normal
SET(LR): https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/set-lr

This will vary your previous application to the long residence application. Time spent waiting will all count towards your ILR as per Section 3C. After that application is decided, the UKVI should refund the fees of your incorrect application

zimba wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:25 pm

The process to apply using form SET(LR) is straightforward. You need to pass the life in the UK test. Super priority visa service is available. Your dependant visas remain valid until expiry, after you apply or when get ILR

Why did you apply using the wrong form when you were clearly advised of which form to use when you initially asked???

Just to update, I got the super priority visa option while raising the Set LR application and got the visa in two working days.

Thanks,
Krishna

chkrishna wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 27, 2025 12:44 pm

Just to update, I got the super priority visa option while raising the Set LR application and got the visa in two working days.

Thanks,
Krishna

Hi, how did you get super priority service option? Any specific time you submitted?