Two routes lead to the same destination. Both end with Indefinite Leave to Remain. But they work differently, suit different situations, and the 2025 reform proposals could change the landscape for both before some applicants even reach their qualifying date.
Here's how they compare right now:
The Core Difference at a Glance
| 5 Year Route | 10 Year Long Residence | |
| Who it's for | Skilled Worker, family, specific qualifying visas | Anyone on 10 continuous years of lawful UK visas |
| Clock starts | From first day on qualifying visa | From first entry into the UK |
| Visa switching | Resets the clock (Although some routes can combine the 5 year period) | Doesn't reset the clock |
| Salary requirement | Yes, must meet threshold at application | No salary requirement |
| English language | B2 (from January 2026) | B1 (check current position) |
| Application fee | £3,029 | £3,029 |
| Processing (standard) | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months |
| Absence allowance | 180 days per rolling 12 months (Family route doesn’t have an absence allowance) | 180 days per rolling 12 months |
Who Actually Uses the 10 Year Route
Most people on the Skilled Worker route aim for the 5-year option. The 10-year route isn't a slower version of the same thing. It serves a different group.
If you spent years on a Student visa before switching to a work visa, those student years don't count toward the 5-year Skilled Worker route. But they do count toward a 10-year-long residence, as long as your presence has been continuous and lawful throughout. It counts time rather than route continuity.
The Clock Reset Problem
Switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa doesn't carry your time over. Your five-year countdown starts from the Skilled Worker grant date.
The 10-year-long residence route is the only option where your full UK residence history can be aggregated across multiple visa types. Immigration specialists like A Y & J Solicitors regularly see people who assume prior visa time counts toward the 5-year route, discover it doesn't, and need to rethink their settlement timeline entirely.
What the 2025 Reforms Mean for Both Routes
This is where it gets complicated. The government's November 2025 Fairer Pathway consultation proposed replacing the standard 5-year route with an "earned settlement" system from April 2026. Under those proposals:
- Most Skilled Workers: 10-year baseline (up from 5)
- Roles below RQF Level 6 and Health & Care: 15-year baseline
- High earners (£50k–£125k): 5 year route preserved
- Very high earners (£125k+): 3-year accelerated route
- Family members of British citizens: 5-year route preserved
- The separate 10-year-long residence route: abolished, absorbed into the new system
Crucially, these are still consultation proposals. The rules haven't changed yet as of early 2026, and transitional arrangements for people already on settlement pathways haven't been confirmed. But if you're over five years of eligibility right now, the advice from multiple immigration advisors is the same: apply right away under the current rules before any changes take effect.
Which Route Is Right for You
Go for the 5-year route if: You're on a Skilled Worker visa with continuous qualifying residence, meet the salary threshold, and want to settle as quickly as possible.
The 10-year route makes sense if: You've had a mixed visa history, student years, or switches between categories that prevent a clean 5-year count.
Act now if: You're approaching the five-year mark on a qualifying visa.
One Misconception Worth Clearing Up
Holding any UK visa for 10 years doesn't automatically qualify you for long residence ILR. Visitor visas and Ukraine scheme permissions don't count. Every day needs to be covered by a qualifying visa with no gaps. A single gap in lawful status, even a short one, can mean starting the count again.
Working Out Which ILR Route Applies to You?
A Y & J Solicitors have handled ILR applications across both routes and through mixed visa histories. With the earned settlement changes on the horizon, getting your eligibility assessed now — before any transitional rules are finalised — gives you the clearest picture of where you stand and whether applying sooner makes sense.
Reach out to A Y & J Solicitors to map out your specific route to settlement.