The Private Life route, updated on 20 June 2022, allows individuals with a strong connection to the UK through long-term residence to apply for permission to stay
The Private Life route, updated on 20 June 2022, allows individuals with a strong connection to the UK through long-term residence to apply for permission to stay. Detailed in Appendix Private Life of the UK’s Immigration Rules, this route replaces the older private life provisions.
A new subcategory allows children born in the UK to a parent with permission on the private life route to apply for the same duration of permission as their parent. This is for children not qualifying on their own (e.g., not lived in the UK for 7 years).
ILR or settlement allows indefinite residency in the UK. To qualify, applicants must already have a visa based on private life or be UK-born and lived here for at least 7 years. Children born in the UK to a parent with permission on this route are also eligible.
Applicants must fulfil either a 5-year or 10-year residence requirement. Those with previous permission as children or young adults under the half-life rule need 5 years of continuous UK residency. Others, 18 and over, require 10 years. Continuity is defined in Appendix Continuous Residence, including a maximum of 180 days abroad in any 12-month period. Time on other routes, such as Appendix FM, can count towards this period, provided there’s no illegal entry and at least a year on the private life route.
Applicants aged 18 or over must meet English language requirements (CEFR Level B1 unless exempt) and the knowledge of Life in the UK requirement).
Children who are born in the UK and have lived in the UK for at least 7 years at the time of application may qualify for immediate settlement. If parents wish to apply for permission to stay instead for the child, they can choose to do so. The key difference between a settlement and permission to stay application are the Home Office fees.
Such children are granted status under Appendix Private Life. Their parents may apply for permission to stay in the UK based on their child’s eligibility. However, the parents will not be granted settlement and instead will be granted permission to stay under Appendix FM for usually a period of 30 months.
Applications are made online, with a fee of £2,404 per person. Applicants must be in the UK and provide biometric information and supporting documents. Successful applicants will be granted settlement. If not eligible for settlement but likely to meet requirements for limited leave, the application may be varied to a permission to stay application instead, without an extra fee but without a refund of the higher settlement fee. Immigration Health Surcharge may also be payable. The standard timeframe for such application is 6 months. Applicants may opt for expedited processing at an additional £1000 per person.
Seeking professional legal advice is recommended for navigating the complexities of the Private Life route and ILR applications to maximize the chances of a successful outcome. Privity Partners, as UK immigration specialists, offer assistance with all aspects of UK visa, settlement, and immigration needs, including ILR applications.
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