In order to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the Long Residence category the applicant must meet the following requirement:

  • 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK
  • No reason to deny leave in the public interest
  • Meet the knowledge of language and life requirement
  • Not fall under general grounds for refusal
  • Not be in breach of immigration laws (except for overstaying up to 28 days before 24 November 2016, or where overstaying after this date was disregarded under paragraph 39E of immigration rules)

Continuous residence is considered to be broken if the applicant has:

  • Been absent from the UK for over six months in one go
  • Spent more than 18 months outside the UK over the 10-year period
  • Left the UK before 24 November 2016 without valid leave and failed to reapply within 28 days

Continuous residence is not considered broken if the applicant:

  • Is absent from the UK for 6 months or less at any one time
  • Had valid leave when you left and returned to the UK
  • Left before 24 November 2016, applied for entry clearance within 28 days of leave expiring, and returned within 6 months

If you’ve been absent from the UK for over 6 months in one go, or more than 18 months in total, the Home Office may use discretion if there were compelling or compassionate reasons, like being unable to return due to unavoidable circumstances.

In all cases, they’ll check if you returned to the UK as soon as possible. For absences over 180 days, they’ll assess the reasons for your absence and how quickly you came back.

Contact us today for a consultation to assess your eligibility and help you navigate the requirements for a successful application.

Your Key Contacts

Vladyslav Galinskyi

T: 020 7406 1000

E: VladyslavGalinskyi@cartercamerons.com

Vladyslav is an experienced Associate specialising in corporate and private immigration, assisting businesses with sponsor licences and skilled worker visas, as well as handling family, naturalisation, and EU Settlement Scheme applications. Vladyslav is a qualified solicitor in England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland and brings a wealth of experience from gained in various previous roles. He holds a GDL, LPC, Master of Laws, and is a Fellow of CILEX. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, travelling, and playing as a goalkeeper for a local football club.

Corporate immigration experience:

  • Company sponsorship licence applications for businesses and educational institutions
  • Sponsor Management System (SMS) – updating, Level 1 user tasks, requesting additional certificates, reviewing documents, and advising
  • Skilled Worker Visa applications for main applicants and dependents
  • Tier 1 Investor and Entrepreneur Visa applications for main applicants and dependents
  • Sole Representative Visa applications for main applicants and dependents
  • Intra-Company Transfer Visa applications for main applicants and dependents
  • Temporary Worker Visas (Tier 5) for main applicants and dependents
  • Global Talent Visa applications, including endorsement procedures
  • Innovator and Start-Up Visas, including endorsement application procedures

Private immigration experience:

  • Entry clearance, Leave to Enter, and Leave to Remain applications
  • Visa applications for visitors, spouses, unmarried partners, fiancé(e)s, and other dependent relatives
  • Registration of children as British citizens and naturalisation applications
  • Confirmation of British nationality status
  • Residence permits for EU/EEA nationals and family permits for non-EU/EEA family members
  • Entry clearance and residence documents for non-EU/EEA family members
  • Minister of Religion, Sportsperson, and Health and Care Worker Visa applications for main applicants and dependents
  • Student and Graduate Visa applications
  • EU Settlement Scheme applications for EU nationals and their families

In addition to his extensive immigration expertise, Vladyslav’s legal journey includes nearly a decade of experience as an OISC Level 2 immigration adviser, where he honed his skills in complex visa cases and administrative processes.

He has also gained valuable experience in high-stakes corporate environments, having worked as a paralegal within a CIS department.

His previous roles enriched his understanding of corporate law and the cross-border legal considerations crucial for advising multinational clients. His background enables him to provide clients with precise, effective legal guidance that supports both business and individual immigration needs.

Carmen Arakelyan (née Loke)

T: 020 7406 1000

E: CarmenLoke@cartercamerons.com

Carmen is a paralegal with over 10 years experience in law. Her calm and efficient manner ensures matters are dealt with as quickly and cost effectively for clients as possible.

Carmen provides general support to fee earners and Partners within Company Commercial and Immigration teams. She assists in the day-to-day functions of the Immigration team including all aspects of casework and assisting in the preparation of applications. Under direct supervision, Carmen acts as a caseworker on straightforward cases, and supports solicitors in more complex matters. She reviews client queries and drafts responses for review by solicitors and prepares documentation for application under a wide range of visa routes with great skill. As part of the Company Commercial team, she has reviewed share purchase agreements, drafted escrow agreements, prepared bundles for mediation and recently attended a successful mediation meeting over a contract dispute.

She holds degrees in Airline and Airport Management (First-Class Honours), and International Politics and Economics (2:1).

Outside of work, Carmen plays the piano, enjoys trying new activities (the latest being paddle boarding) and is an active church member.

Robert Sookias

T: 020 7406 1000 / 07973 418 174

E: RobertSookias@cartercamerons.com

Property

  • Commercial property transactions
  • Purchase and sales of commercial properties
  • Grants of commercial leases
  • Property aspects of M&A transactions

Immigration

  • Over 40 years working in all areas of immigration and nationality

More…

Robert studied Business Management before converting to Law and attending the College of Law in London. Robert qualified as a Solicitor in 1983.

Before qualifying as a Solicitor in March 1983, Robert worked as a property agent and played football at a semi-professional level.

Robert has earned himself the reputation of being both commercial and caring in his approach to clients.

He is a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association and The Lawyers Christian Fellowship.

Robert speaks Armenian and Farsi.