How can I switch from the 10-year ILR route to the 5-year route?

You can switch from a 10-year ILR pathway to a 5-year path at least 28 days before completing five years of continuous residency in the UK. The 5-year and the 10-year routes allow individuals who have resided in the UK for the qualifying period to get an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. You can be eligible for a 5-year residency through different UK visas, such as business visas, family visas, and UK work visas. The 10-year ILR pathway, or “long residence,” is for individuals who have completed 10 years of residency in the country, even if they have not held an eligible settlement visa. You can switch from the 10-year route to the 5-year ILR route if you already live in the UK on the 10-year route and meet the required eligibility.

 

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UK 5-Year Route vs. 10-Year Route

The below table has an overview of the 5-year route vs. the 10-year route:

Factors	5-year route	10-year route
Qualifying visa	Yes (spouse visa)	Not required
Spouse visa holders	Under the 5-year route, spouse visa holders must fulfill all the eligibility requirements.	Under the 10-year route, spouse visa holders do not need to meet all the eligibility requirements.
Requirements	Have lived in the UK for five continuous years with a qualifying UK visa	Have lived in the UK for 10 continuous years
	Must not be absent from the country for more than 180 days.	Fulfill the English language requirements of at least CEFR Level B1
	Clear the Life in the UK test	Pass the Life in the UK test
	Maintain a good character	Must not be absent from the country for more than 548 days
	Fulfill the English language requirements of at least CEFR Level B1.	BRP (if required)
	Meet the financial requirements:	Must not violate any immigration laws
	Spouse visa holders - £29,000 + £3,800 (for a first child) & £2,400 per year for each further child
	UK Skilled worker visa holders - £38,700 or the going rate for your occupation

 

*To know more about the new ILR rules, also read…

What are the new ILR rules?

 

How do you switch from the 10-year route UK to the 5-year route UK?

As a spouse visa holder, you can switch from the 10-year route to the UK 5-year route, provided the time spent in the country cannot be continued and will be reset. The time spent in the UK within the immigration rules will only be considered for the 5-year settlement.

 

For example, you have been residing in the UK with a spouse visa for 5 years without meeting the financial requirements during this period. However, you now meet the requirements and can switch to the 5-year route only by residing in the UK for an additional 5 years to qualify for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

 

Requirements to switch from a 10-year route to the 5-year route

You must fulfill the below requirements to switch from a 10-year route to a UK 5-year route:

 

• Live in the UK for 5 years
• Have an annual earning of £29,000
• Meet the English language requirements
• Attempt and clear the “Life in the UK” test
• Have been a lawful resident in the UK

 

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