Parent Route ILR — settle in the UK after 5 years
We confirm eligibility on the 5-year parent route, evidence parental responsibility and your child’s UK residence, check KoLL (Life in the UK + English) and suitability, and file a clean, decision-ready ILR application.
Eligibility at a glance — Parent Route (ILR)
We check each requirement against your history and documents before filing your ILR application.
Current leave as a parent
You must hold valid permission as a parent under Appendix FM on the date you apply.
- On the 5-year parent route
- No gaps in permission (we’ll check dates)
60 months on the parent route
Usually 2.5 + 2.5 years of qualifying leave as a parent in the UK.
- We confirm qualifying start/end dates
- Explain and evidence any breaks
Eligible child in the UK
Your child is British or settled, or has lived in the UK for 7+ years and it would not be reasonable for them to leave.
- Child normally resident in the UK
- Evidence: passports/BRP, birth certs, school letters
Parental responsibility / direct access
You have parental responsibility or direct access (in person) and are taking an active role in the child’s upbringing.
- Court order, consent letter, or arrangements evidence
- Ongoing involvement shown across the period
Maintenance & accommodation
We confirm that you meet the relevant adequate maintenance and accommodation rules for the parent route.
- Income, savings, or benefits evidence
- Tenancy/ownership and overcrowding checks
Life in the UK & English (B1)
Most adult applicants must pass the Life in the UK test and show English at B1 (or be exempt).
- Approved SELT or accepted degree route
- Age/medical exemptions assessed
General grounds
Standard checks on criminality, deception, NHS debts, and compliance with conditions.
- Full disclosure & mitigation where relevant
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; previous grants as a parent under Appendix FM
- Any Home Office correspondence or reference numbers
- Child’s passport/BRP and birth certificate
- Proof child is British/settled or 7+ years in UK (school letters, GP letters, council records)
- Evidence child normally lives in the UK
- Parental responsibility evidence (birth cert naming you, PR agreement, or court order)
- Direct access & active involvement: contact schedule, messages, photos, school/health updates
- Consent letter from the other parent (where appropriate)
- Adequate maintenance: income, savings, benefits letters (where applicable)
- Bank statements corroborating income/support
- Accommodation: tenancy/mortgage, council tax; overcrowding checks
- Life in the UK test reference number
- English at B1 (SELT) or accepted degree/ECCTIS confirmation
- Exemption evidence (age/medical) if relevant
- Explanations for gaps, address/name changes
- Letters from school/GP/social worker evidencing involvement
- Translations for non-English documents
Tip: Spread evidence across the full 60-month period and from multiple sources. We’ll provide templates and a document index so your case is easy for UKVI to verify.
How your Parent Route ILR application runs
Clear steps from qualifying date to decision — we prepare and file on time.
Qualifying date & status check
Confirm 60 months on the parent route, valid permission at the date of application, and no gaps in leave.
Child & care evidence
Verify the child’s status/residence (British/settled or 7+ years in the UK) and show parental responsibility or direct, in-person access and active involvement.
Maintenance & accommodation
Confirm adequate maintenance and suitable accommodation, with bank statements and tenancy/mortgage evidence where applicable.
KoLL readiness
Check Life in the UK pass reference and English at B1 (or exemption) so nothing delays filing.
Forms, biometrics & decision
Complete the correct ILR form, draft submissions, arrange UKVCAS biometrics/ID, monitor the case and advise on your eVisa/BRP and next steps.
Fees & processing times (Parent Route 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.
Life in the UK Test
£50
Book at an approved test centre; keep your reference number for the application.
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.
Typical processing time
Standard: usually within ~6 months
Avoid travel outside the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man while your in-country ILR is pending.
IHS: ILR applications do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge. We’ll confirm all fees and any priority availability before filing.