Migrate databases from SQL Server to SQL Managed Instance using Log Replay Service (Preview)

Johannes_Vink Thank you on your question. I do not entirely understand your use case from the description, but I can attempt to re-interpret it in my own words. I believe you are asking if there could be a way to "permanently" do log shipping from SQL Server to SQL Managed Instance. By permanent I presume the operation could be running for moths? I also presume that you would like to use database on SQL Managed Instance for R/O access, otherwise I do not see the point to do continuous log shipping for months, correct? Assuming this is a correct interpretation of your question and the use case, here is my response to this:

• It is not possible to have R/O database on SQL Managed Instance while LRS (log shipping) operation is running. There exist technical limitations preventing us from implementing this.
• There are mandatory security updates and maintenance patches we must apply at least once a month (or more often in some cases) on SQL Managed Instance to be in compliance. These automated software patches can be impactful, meaning a brief restart of the SQL engine is needed, which will interrupt the restore process. Once interrupted, LRS cannot be resumed.

If your use case requires continuous replication from SQL Server to SQL Managed Instance, assuming you need to use the data as well on Managed Instance, perhaps transactional replication can be considered as an option. 

Hope this helps! Thank you.