Family & Private Life ILR — settle after your qualifying residence
We confirm your eligibility under the Family or Private Life routes, map evidence to the Home Office rules (including KoLL where required), and prepare a clean, decision-ready ILR application.
Eligibility at a glance — Family & Private Life (ILR)
We confirm your exact route and qualifying residence (5 or 10 years, depending on category), check continuous residence/absences, KoLL, and suitability before filing.
Which route applies?
Select from:
- Family life — Partner/Parent under Appendix FM (usually the 10-year route to settlement).
- Private life — Child, Young Adult, or Adult under Appendix Private Life (some settle after 5 years; most adults after 10 years).
Qualifying period
We calculate your qualifying residence and any gaps:
- Family life (10-year): usually 120 months on family route leave.
- Private life: children & certain young adults can qualify after 5 years; most adults after 10 years.
Continuous residence
We assess your absences across the qualifying period and evidence UK residence.
- Listing absences typically triggered at ≥150 days in any 12-month period on the form.
- Absences of >180 days in any 12-month period can break residence (route rules apply).
Best interests & residence
Where children are involved, decisions must consider their best interests.
- Evidence: passports/BRP, birth certificates, school/GP letters.
- For Private Life: 7-year residence or other category criteria (as applicable).
Life in the UK & English
Most adult applicants must meet KoLL.
- Life in the UK test pass reference.
- English at B1 (SELT) or accepted degree — exemptions for age/medical.
General grounds
Checks on criminality, deception, NHS debts, and compliance with conditions.
- We address any risks and prepare mitigation where appropriate.
Documents you’ll usually need
We’ll give you a tailored checklist and assemble a clean, indexed PDF bundle for upload.
- Current & previous passports (if available)
- BRP/eVisa and previous grants on the Family/Private Life route
- Any Home Office correspondence or reference numbers
- Address history covering the qualifying period
- Council tax/tenancy, utility bills, bank statements (spread across the period)
- Travel history/absence records where relevant
- Relationship evidence (cohabitation, joint responsibilities) if applying on a family-life basis
- Parental responsibility or direct access documents (birth cert, PR agreement/court order)
- Child-related evidence (school/GP letters) where applicable
- Evidence of long residence in the UK (school, GP, HMRC/DWP, community letters)
- For children/young adults: continuous schooling and residence proofs
- Community ties and integration where relevant
- Life in the UK test pass reference
- English at B1 (SELT) or accepted degree (with ECCTIS where required)
- Exemption evidence (age/medical) if applicable
- Explanations for gaps, name/address changes
- Letters from professionals (school/GP/social worker) supporting best-interests where relevant
- Certified translations for non-English documents
Tip: Spread proofs evenly across the full qualifying period and from multiple independent sources. Keep names, addresses and dates consistent. We provide templates and a document index so your case is easy to verify.
How your Family & Private Life ILR application runs
Clear steps from qualifying residence to decision — we prepare and file on time.
Route & residence check
Confirm whether you qualify under Family Life or Private Life, calculate your qualifying period (5/10 years), and identify any gaps.
Evidence strategy
Map documents to your route: residence & absences, family relationship/parental responsibility (if relevant), and private life factors.
KoLL readiness
Verify Life in the UK pass reference and English at B1 (or exemption) early so nothing delays filing.
Forms & submissions
Complete the correct ILR form, draft legal representations, confirm fees and any available priority option, and prepare an indexed PDF bundle.
Biometrics & decision
Arrange UKVCAS biometrics/ID verification, monitor your application, respond to any requests, and advise on your eVisa/BRP and next steps.
Fees & processing times (Family & Private Life ILR)
Current Home Office fees and typical decision timelines. Priority services may be available at checkout.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
£3,029
Per applicant (main or dependant). Biometrics/ID verification required.
Source: GOV.UK Home Office fees table (1 July 2025).
Life in the UK Test
£50
Book online at least 3 days in advance at an approved test centre.
Source: GOV.UK — Life in the UK test.
Faster decision (where available)
Priority: +£500
Super Priority: +£1,000
Priority aims for ~5 working days; Super Priority aims for next working day after biometrics.
Source: GOV.UK — faster decision services.
Typical processing time
Standard: usually within ~6 months
Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man while your in-country ILR is pending — applications can be withdrawn if you do.
Source: GOV.UK — Private Life ILR “After you apply”.
IHS: ILR applications do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge. We’ll confirm all fees and any priority availability before filing.
Family & Private Life ILR — FAQs
Quick answers to common questions. For tailored advice on your facts, book a consultation.
Is ILR after 5 years or 10 years on Family/Private Life?
It depends on your category. Some Private Life/child or young adult routes can qualify after 5 years; most adults on Family/Private Life qualify after 10 years. We’ll map your exact category and timeline.
Can I mix time from different routes to reach ILR?
Some time can be combined depending on the rules for your category. We review your immigration history and confirm what counts and what does not.
How are absences and “continuous residence” assessed?
We check your residence across the qualifying period and explain any long/frequent absences. Evidence like tenancy/council tax, school/GP letters and bank statements helps demonstrate residence.
Do I need the Life in the UK test and English (B1)?
Most adult applicants must meet KoLL (Life in the UK + English B1) unless exempt (e.g., age or medical). We confirm requirements and acceptable proofs (SELT/degree with ECCTIS where needed).
What evidence is strongest for Family Life vs Private Life?
Family Life focuses on relationship/parental responsibility and residence; Private Life focuses on length of residence, integration and ties in the UK. We provide a tailored checklist and templates for both.
Can I travel while my ILR application is pending?
Travel can affect an in-country ILR application. Speak to us before travelling so we can explain the risks and timing options.
What if my application is refused?
We review the decision rapidly and advise on next steps — correcting errors, providing further evidence, or exploring review/appeal routes where available.