Settlement and Nationality
Settlement and nationality applications are high-stakes decisions. A refusal can result in the loss of substantial Home Office fees, disrupt continuous residence, or delay settlement or citizenship for years.
Many refusals arise not because applicants fail the rules, but because immigration history is misunderstood, discretion is misjudged, or evidence is poorly presented. This is particularly common in long-residence and nationality cases.
We advise and represent individuals applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship, including cases involving complex histories, previous refusals, or periods of overstaying.
Who this page is for
This page is for you if:
- you are approaching 10 years’ continuous residence and are unsure whether past overstaying or gaps matter
- you have previously been refused ILR or naturalisation
- your immigration history includes discretionary leave, appeals, or irregular periods
- you want to know whether it is safe to apply now, or whether waiting is the wiser option
- you need clear, realistic advice rather than form-filling assistance
What we advise on
We provide advice and representation in settlement and nationality matters including:
- Indefinite Leave to Remain under the 5-year, 10-year, and private life routes
- British citizenship applications where good character, absences, or historic issues arise
- Assessing whether an application should be made now, later, or not at all
- Preparing legal representations where discretion is likely to be decisive
- Advising following refusals, including whether re-application or challenge is appropriate
Our focus is not simply on technical eligibility, but on how the Home Office is likely to assess an application in practice.
Common issues and mistakes
We frequently see refusals caused by:
- assuming historic overstaying is disregarded once a qualifying period is reached
- under-estimating the good character requirement in settlement and nationality cases
- applying too early and breaking continuous residence
- failing to disclose issues that later appear in Home Office records
- relying on generic templates rather than tailored legal representations
These errors often result in refusal with no refund of the application fee.
Before you apply
If there is any doubt about your immigration history, absences, or character issues, it is usually safer to obtain advice before submitting an application.
We provide clear and realistic advice on:
- whether you should apply now,
- whether waiting is strategically safer, and
- how risks can be managed where discretion is engaged.