🇬🇧 Settlement after 10 years in the U.K.
We are often asked about getting Indefinite Leave (permanent residency) on the basis of living in the U.K. for 10 years. Often used by students who came here as children , continued to education and eventually to a Work visa or Partner visa. Main points: 1. Most visa categories can be counted (“combined”) , but from 12 April 2023 some were made ineligible for this purpose. Most notably, Visitor visas, so time spent here as a visitor no longer counts. 2. Can only be legal residency, either on a valid visa or waiting for a visa. Waiting can be inside or outside the U.K., subject to applying on time (in U.K.) or within specified time limits (outside). Also, while waiting for in-country appeal. 3. The visas don’t need to be one after another without breaks. You can leave on one Student visa and return on a new Student visa. Or return in a Work/Partner visa. The break between visas would be OK, as long as you return within 6 months. But! 4. Absences during 10 years have very strict lim...