Settlement & Nationality
A private life application UK route may allow you or your child to stay in the UK because of the life, residence, education, family links and personal ties built here. This route can cover 20 years residence, children who have lived in the UK for 7 years, young adults who have spent half their life in the UK, and some people who would face very significant obstacles if required to leave. We assess your position under Appendix Private Life, prepare the evidence and explain whether your case is for permission to stay or settlement.
At a glance
Route type
Permission to stay or settlement, depending on your category and immigration history
Common categories
20 years residence, 7-year child cases, half-life cases and very significant obstacles
Home Office fee
Depends on whether the application is for permission to stay, settlement, or fee waiver consideration
Our fee
Confirmed after a free phone consultation, depending on the evidence and complexity
A private life application in the UK is an immigration application based on the private life a person has developed here. Private life can include long residence, education, community ties, family connections, medical and welfare factors, language, culture, integration and the practical impact of removal from the UK.
The private life visa UK route is not the same as a standard partner or work visa. It is often used where a person has lived in the UK for many years, where a child has grown up here, where a young adult has spent a large part of their life here, or where there would be very significant obstacles to returning to the country of origin.
Private Life applications are considered under Appendix Private Life. Some applications lead to permission to stay first. Some can lead to settlement, also called indefinite leave to remain, depending on the applicant's age, residence history and previous grants of permission. We identify the correct route before preparing the application, so the Home Office is asked to make the right decision.
The correct category depends on your age, length of residence, immigration history and personal circumstances. The most common private life application UK categories include the following.
Private Life applications are evidence-heavy. The Home Office does not only look at the number of years spent in the UK. It also looks at continuity of residence, family and community ties, the best interests of any child, suitability, and whether removal would be disproportionate.
Continuous residence in the UK
You must usually show continuous residence for the relevant period. This may be 20 years, 7 years for a child, half of a young adult's life, or the required period already spent on the Private Life route. We review documents across the full period to avoid gaps in the evidence.
Private life and ties built in the UK
The application should explain the life you have built in the UK, including education, work, family links, friendships, community involvement, medical care, support networks and other evidence showing that your life is genuinely rooted here.
Children and best interests
For a child 7 years residence UK application, the Home Office must consider the child's best interests. Evidence may include school records, health records, letters from teachers, community ties, friendships, special educational needs and the impact of removal on the child.
Suitability
The Home Office considers criminal convictions, immigration history, deception, unpaid NHS debt above the relevant threshold, unpaid litigation costs and other suitability concerns. We identify any issue early and deal with it properly in the application.
Correct route: permission or settlement
Not every Private Life application is an ILR application. Some applicants receive permission to stay first, usually for 2 years and 6 months or 5 years depending on the category. Others may qualify for settlement. We confirm which outcome should be requested before submission.
Private Life rules and Home Office fees change regularly. The points on this page are a general guide, correct as at June 2026, and not legal advice on your case. We confirm the current rules and fees when you instruct us.
We identify whether your case falls under 20 years residence UK immigration, the 7 year child route UK, the half-life rule UK immigration, very significant obstacles, extension of permission, or private life ILR.
We build a clear timeline of your residence in the UK and identify the evidence needed for each period. This may include school records, GP records, tenancy documents, bank statements, Home Office letters, photographs and community evidence.
Private Life cases need more than forms and dates. We help explain your ties to the UK, the impact of removal, the best interests of any child, and any obstacles to life in the country of return.
We complete the application, prepare legal representations, organise the evidence and deal with Home Office correspondence. If a fee waiver is appropriate, we advise on the evidence needed for that request.
Our fee depends on the type of Private Life application, the length of residence involved, the number of applicants, the evidence required and whether a fee waiver request is needed. The exact fee is confirmed in writing before any work begins, after a free phone consultation. See our full fixed-fee schedule for current service fees. Government costs are paid separately and may include the Home Office application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, Life in the UK test fee, English test fee where required, biometric enrolment fees where charged, and any priority service fee where available.
A private life application in the UK is an application to stay because of the life and ties you have built here. It can include long residence, a child growing up in the UK, a young adult spending half their life here, or serious obstacles to integration in the country of return. It is considered under Appendix Private Life.
You may be able to apply under the 20 years residence UK immigration route if you have lived continuously in the UK for at least 20 years. This is different from 10 year lawful long residence ILR. The 20-year Private Life route can include time that was not lawful, but continuity and evidence are very important.
The 7 year child route UK can apply where a child has lived continuously in the UK for at least 7 years. The Home Office considers the child's best interests and whether it would be reasonable for the child to leave the UK. Evidence from school, doctors, support workers and family life can be important.
The half-life rule UK immigration route can apply to a young adult aged 18 to 24 who has spent at least half their life living continuously in the UK. The evidence must show residence across the relevant period and explain the young person's education, family, social life and integration in the UK.
Yes, but not every Private Life application is an immediate ILR application. Some applicants are granted permission to stay first and can settle later. Some children and young adults may be on a five-year route to settlement, while other applicants may need a longer period. We check whether your case is for permission, extension or private life ILR.
The evidence depends on the category. It may include passports, Home Office letters, school records, GP records, hospital records, tenancy documents, bills, bank statements, letters from teachers, social workers, employers, community members and evidence explaining obstacles to return. We prepare a tailored checklist for your case.
A refusal letter should explain why the Home Office says the requirements are not met. Depending on the decision, options may include an appeal, administrative review, fresh application, further submissions or judicial review. We review the refusal and advise on the strongest next step.
Last updated: June 2026.
