Continuous Residence Guidance UK (2026 Update)

Applying for settlement is about how carefully you've maintained your status.

If you are preparing for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), with the most common routes including 10-year long residence, Skilled Worker, and Family routes, understanding the continuous residence guidance UK rules is essential. Even small mistakes — sometimes just a few days — can reset your qualifying clock.

Let's break it down clearly.

Key Points at a Glance

• Continuous residence means living in the UK without excessive absences.
• Most 5-year routes allow no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period.
• The 10-year long residence route follows stricter cumulative absence rules.