If a child is born in the UK and has lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain on the basis of private life.
Children born in the UK can apply for settlement immediately instead of limited leave to remain, once they have lived in the UK continuously for 7 years. This avoids the need for children to apply for extensions repeatedly.
If you need legal advice or help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain application, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.
Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form for immigration advice and help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application.
Table of Contents
- ILR for a child after 7 years in the UK
- How to apply for ILR for a child after 7 years?
- Requirements to apply for ILR for a child (7 years route)
- Children born outside the UK
- What documents are required?
- ILR application processing time
- ILR application fees
- How can an immigration lawyer help you?
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Need legal advice or help from an immigration lawyer?
How to apply for ILR for a child after 7 years?
If a child has lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years and meets certain eligibility criteria, they may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.
To apply for ILR for a child after 7 years in the UK, you will need to follow these steps:
- Check that the child meets the eligibility requirements for ILR
- Collect the necessary documents
- Complete the relevant application form online.
- Pay the application fee
- Submit your application
- Wait for a decision
It is recommended to seek professional advice from an immigration advisor before making an application for ILR for a child after 7 years in the UK to ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements and have provided all the required supporting documents.
Requirements to apply for ILR for a child (7 years route)
To be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for a child who has lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years, the following requirements must be met:
- Continuous residence in the UK for at least 7 years: The child must have lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years, with no more than 180 days of absence in any 12-month period.
- Good character: The child must not have any serious criminal convictions or have breached any immigration laws.
- Financial requirement: The child does not need to meet any financial requirement, but their parent or legal guardian may need to meet a financial requirement if they are applying for ILR at the same time.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on type of application and your personal circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
Children born outside the UK
A child who is born outside the UK but who has lived in the UK continuously for 7 years will be able to apply for settlement after 5 years rather than 10 years as is the case at present.
What documents are required?
To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for a child after 7 years in the UK, you will need to provide the following supporting documents:
- The child's passport or travel document, as proof of their identity.
- Evidence of the child's continuous residence in the UK for the past 7 years, such as school records, doctor's letters, tenancy agreements, utility bills, or council tax bills.
- The child's current biometric residence permit (BRP) or Home Office travel document, if applicable.
- Evidence of any parent's or legal guardian's immigration status in the UK, if applicable.
- Any other relevant documents that may support the child's application, such as evidence of their education, medical records, or proof of their accommodation.
This is a general list of documents. Depending on type of application and your personal circumstances, you might also need to provide additional documents.
Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and find out the required list of documents in support of your application.
It is important to provide all the required supporting documents when making an application for ILR for a child after 7 years in the UK, as failure to do so may result in the application being refused. It is recommended to seek professional advice from an immigration advisor to ensure you have provided all the required documents and to prepare a strong application.
ILR application processing time
You should get a decision within 3-6 months if you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) using standard service. However, you may be able to use priority service to get a faster decision.
Check the latest information about the ILR application processing time on the GOV website.
How long does the ILR application process take?
Once you have applied online and attended your biometrics appointment, you'll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3-6 months, if applying using standard service
- 5 working days, if applying using priority service
- 24 hours, if applying using super priority service
Super Priority Service
You may be eligible to use the “super priority service” to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You'll need to pay £1,000 in addition to the ILR application fee.
Priority Service
You may be able to choose the 'priority service' when you apply for a UK visa to get a faster decision within 5 working days. You'll need to pay £500 in addition to the ILR application fee.
When you apply, you might be eligible to choose the 'super priority service' or 'priority service' to get your visa faster depending on the type of application.
ILR application fees
Home Office (UKVI) fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application is £2,885 per applicant if applying using standard service. You do not need to pay the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) if you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government's official website before applying for a visa.
How much does an ILR application cost?
The cost of an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application varies depending on the type of application you are applying for and the type of service you are using such as 'standard service', 'super priority service', or 'priority service'.
Here are some common costs associated with applying for an indefinite leave to remain:
- £2,885 Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application fee
- £0.00 Biometrics fee (there's no fee for this)
- £50 Life in the UK test fee (unless you are exempt)
- £150 approx. English language test fee (unless you are exempt)
- £1,000 in addition to the application fee if using the "super priority service" to get faster decisions within 24 hours (optional)
- £500 in addition to the application fee if using the "priority service" to get faster decisions within 5 working days (optional)
- £800-£1,000 Our immigration lawyer fees (if using our full legal services to maximise your chances of success & avoid mistakes)
Please note that the above is a general list of costs associated with UK visa applications. There may be additional costs such translation fee depending on your circumstances.
Immigration lawyer fees
Our expert UK immigration lawyer will guide you through every step of the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application process including advice about legal requirements and eligibility criteria.
At Rex Law Chambers, our immigration lawyer charges a fixed fee between £800-£1000 for our complete legal services in relation to your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application. The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in the matter.
How can an immigration lawyer help you?
If you need legal advice or help with your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application, our immigration lawyer can provide legal assistance.
Immigration lawyer at Rex Law Chambers will:
- advise you about eligibility criteria and the requirements.
- provide you with a comprehensive checklist of supporting documents.
- fill in and submit your ILR application.
- check all the supporting documents.
- upload all the supporting documents online in their correct format and order.
- schedule your biometrics appointments.
- prepare a cover letter or letter of representation to support your application.
- dealing and responding to any enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office (UKVI).
- do all the follow-up work on your ILR application until a decision is received from the Home Office (UKVI).
Contact our experienced and friendly immigration lawyer on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form to get reliable & confidential immigration advice and legal assistance with a Settlement (ILR) application or any other immigration matter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions about Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR):
Individuals with ILR are still subject to certain restrictions, such as the requirement to notify the Home Office of any changes in their circumstances, and they can lose their ILR status if they spend 2 or more continuous years outside the UK.
Each applicant needs to pay £2,404 for their Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application if applying for ILR using the standard service.
The length of time it takes to receive a decision on an ILR application can vary depending on a number of factors, but typically it can take up to six months. You can pay extra for a priority service to receive a decision faster.
You must apply for ILR online by completing the relevant application form and providing supporting documents to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements.
Read this comprehensive guide to learn more about how to apply for ILR, the required documents and fees.
With ILR, you can live and work in the UK permanently, and you are not subject to immigration controls or restrictions. You may also be eligible for certain benefits, such as access to the NHS and social security benefits, among others.
Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 for confidential legal advice and help with your ILR application. You can get help from our immigration lawyer in person, over the phone, via WhatsApp, email or live chat.
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