Indefinite Leave to Remain solicitors

Leading ILR lawyers guiding clients toward permanent residence and UK settlement

Settlement in the UK, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), is a significant milestone for individuals seeking long‑term security and stability. It removes time‑limited immigration restrictions and provides the freedom to live, work and study in the UK without constraint, often forming the final step before British citizenship.

Blake Morgan’s specialist ILR solicitors provide tailored support to individuals navigating the settlement process. With a detailed understanding of the evolving Immigration Rules, our lawyers guide clients through eligibility assessment, evidential preparation and route‑specific requirements, ensuring applications are approached with precision and care. Our focus is on delivering clear, confident pathways to permanent residence, supported by discreet, high‑quality legal advice at every stage.

Arrange a call with one of our experts

Main areas of practice

UK settlement, or Indefinite Leave to Remain, allows individuals to live in the UK permanently without immigration time limits. It provides long term stability, access to work and study, and a pathway to British citizenship, usually after meeting residence, eligibility, and good character requirements. With the proposed ‘earned settlement’ process, the way to obtain ILR will be changing in the near future.

Five years route

The five year settlement route allows eligible individuals, including workers, partners and certain other visa holders, to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing five continuous years of lawful residence in the UK. Applicants must meet a range of requirements, including English language ability, compliance with visa conditions, and, where applicable, financial criteria, demonstrating a stable and lawful immigration history.

Ten years route

The 10 year long residence route enables individuals who have lived lawfully in the UK for a continuous decade to apply for settlement. It is designed for applicants with varied immigration histories, provided their residence is lawful and unbroken. This pathway offers security for long term residents who have built their lives in the UK.

Twenty years route (Private Life)

The twenty year private life route applies to individuals who have lived continuously in the UK for at least 20 years, regardless of their immigration status during that time. It recognises the strength of private life ties formed through long term residence. Successful applicants are granted limited leave, with the opportunity to progress to Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing the required qualifying period.

Our clients

Our immigration team advises individuals seeking long‑term residence and settlement in the UK, offering strategic, discreet and personalised guidance across complex circumstances to provide clear pathways toward establishing a secure future within the UK’s evolving immigration system.

Highlights

Assisting a multinational company, registered Tier 2 Sponsor, whose licence had become invalidated following the company acquisition – our immigration lawyers advised regarding the compliance issues and the position of the existing sponsored employees. The assistance covered managing risks involving the breach of the sponsor duties due to failure to report as well as advising and managing the application for the new sponsor licence simultaneously.


Assisting an EU national with a permanent residence card application (going forward falling within the scope of the EU Settlement Scheme) – this included advising on the break in residence continuity. The application was successful as the issue was fully addressed in the application submitted to the Home Office.


Advising an EU National who had been resident in the UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain status for over 30 years on a successful application for naturalisation as a British citizen to include advice on evidencing UK residence.


Frequently asked questions

A typical ILR application includes proof of identity, evidence of continuous residence, and documents showing you have followed the conditions of your current visa. Depending on your route, you may also need financial records, employment evidence, relationship documents, or proof of accommodation. Ensuring all documents are complete, consistent, and up to date is essential, as missing information can lead to delays or refusals.

A lawyer can review your eligibility, identify any issues that may affect your application, and provide a clear checklist of the documents you need. They will analyse your evidence, address gaps or risks, draft detailed legal submissions, and submit the application on your behalf. Having professional support often increases the strength of your case and reduces the risk of avoidable mistakes, especially for applicants with a complex immigration history.

The time taken to receive a decision on an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application depends on the route applied under and whether an expedited service is used. Under the standard service, the Home Office aims to decide most ILR applications within six months.

Where available, applicants may choose an accelerated service. The priority service is designed to provide a decision within five working days, while the super priority service aims to deliver a decision by the end of the next working day. Processing times may be longer where further information or additional checks are required.

Yes. The UK government has indicated that reforms to the settlement framework, including the introduction and expansion of earned settlement, are under consideration. These proposals may involve longer qualifying periods and more stringent requirements, which could increase the complexity of future Indefinite Leave to Remain applications. While the current Immigration Rules continue to apply, individuals should remain alert to potential changes as policy developments progress.

An application for Indefinite Leave to Remain may usually be submitted up to 28 days before the applicant completes the required qualifying period of continuous residence under the relevant immigration route. This early application window allows individuals to apply in advance of their visa expiry, provided all other eligibility requirements are met at the date of application.

It is essential that an application is not submitted more than 28 days before the qualifying period is completed, as doing so is likely to result in refusal. Careful calculation of eligibility dates is therefore critical when planning an ILR application.

Our experts

Dipesh
Shah
Partner

London

View Profile
Yasmeen
Hamza
Legal Director

London

View Profile
Nisha
Patel
Legal Director

London

View Profile
Lisa
Parsons
Senior Associate

London

View Profile
Kawther
Al-Aaraji
Senior Associate

London

View Profile
Inderpal
Singh Kallah
Associate

London

View Profile
David Maximilian
Barra
Solicitor

London

View Profile
Tatiana
Young
Immigration Caseworker

London

View Profile

Related Expertise

BM Insights

Click here for more Insights
Skip to content