ILR eligibility SET(LR) vs SET(M) route

[CharlesHolmes]

Hello everyone,

I think I might be eligible to apply for ILR through two different routes, but I’m getting a bit confused about which one makes more sense and would love some advice.

Here’s my timeline:

• I first came to the UK on a Tier 4 student visa on 9 Sept 2016 (BRP issued 15 Aug 2016, valid until 26 Jan 2018).

• I went back to my country in Dec 2017, applied for another Tier 4, and came back to the UK on 18 Jan 2018 before the previous visa expired (new BRP issued 23 Jan 2018, valid until 29 May 2022).

• In Nov 2021 I switched to an unmarried partner visa FLR(M) (BRP issued 16 Nov 2021, valid until 16 May 2024).

• In April 2024 I renewed again under FLR(M), and got an email on 5 June 2024 confirming permission to stay until 28 Dec 2026 (BRP issued 5 June 2024, valid until 31 Dec 2024 because of the switch to the eVisa system).

So I think I might have two ILR routes running in parallel:

• 10-year long residence (eligible around 12 Aug 2026, 28 days before 9 Sept 2026)

• 5-year unmarried partner (eligible around 19 Oct 2026, 28 days before 16 Nov 2026)

Am I understanding that correctly or am I mixing things up? And if both are actually an option, which route is better and why?

Thanks so much in advance

[zimba]

Yes, there could be different routes to ILR for some people. Each route has its own requirement so there is no better or worse as that depends on how easy it is for you to meet the requirements under a route.

The main difference is that the family route has a financial requirement, whereas the long residence does not. At the end of the day, the choice is yours. Also, the long residence route has absence limits whereas the family route has no absence limits.

For the long residence route, make sure to read --> Long Residence settlement route (effective 11 April 2024)

[CharlesHolmes]

Thanks, that’s really helpful.

I think my main confusion is whether I actually qualify for both routes at the same time based on my timeline and types of visa (i.e. Does my time on Tier 4 visas count towards long residence? Am I required to stick only to the 5-year family route since I’m on FLR(M)?)

I meet all the requirements for either route (financial requirement, English, Life in the UK, correspondence, absences, etc.). Would you say in my case it’s straightforward that both routes are valid options, or is there anything in my timeline that could make one of them more risky?

Thanks again!

[zimba]

Time spent under Tier 4 counts under the long residence. Your current visa route is not relevant either when it comes to the long residence.

FLR(M) is simply an immigration form, NOT an immigration route. You are under the 5-year family route, and the fact that you are under the family route is also irrelevant. It is only relevant if you want to apply under the 5-year family route.

Again, this is not about the risk but about different requirements. If you qualify under both routes, then the choice is entirely yours. However, it seems you will qualify for ILR under the long residence sooner.

[CharlesHolmes]

Ahhh okay, that makes much more sense now! Thank you for explaining it so clearly. That’s really reassuring!