How do you prove you have lived in the UK for 5 continuous years?

Proving that you have lived in the UK for 5 continuous years is an important part of applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK or for Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The evidence usually needs to include a combination of different documents from different sources.

How do I prove a 5-year continuous residence?

As part of your application process, you must provide documentary evidence of your continuous residence in the UK. These documents can cover longer periods of time, or shorter periods of time.

Documents covering longer periods can include annual bank statements or account summaries, council tax bills, mortgage statements or rental agreements, or P60s. Shorter periods can be covered by documents such as bank statements, payslips, utility bills, and letters from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs or the National Health Service. These lists are not exhaustive, and it is possible to provide other document should you struggle to source the ones listed.

It is usually good practice to provide 3-4 documents per year, evenly spread out across the months.

What are the allowable absences?

It is important to remember that you can only be absent from the UK for up to 180 days in any 12-month period during the 5 years you rely on to prove your continuous residence. You only count full 24-hour absences (if you leave the UK on a Friday and come back on a Monday this counts as 2 days’ absence).

There are very limited circumstances in which the Home Office might accept absences of more than 180 days in any 12 months, such as serious illness or a natural disaster.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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