UK Appendix Private Life Immigration Rules- Eligibility, Documents & Application

Immigration Rules - Appendix Private Life was introduced by Statement of Changes HC 1118 and replaced the Immigration Rules – Part 7 (Private Life provisions). It applies to all applications for permission to stay based on private life in the UK made on or after 20 June 2022. One can make a private life application only from within the UK.

The UK Private Life route is for an individual applying to obtain permission to stay in the UK based on having developed a Private Life here.

A child born in the UK to someone who has either permission to stay in the UK based on their private life, or is applying for it, can apply to obtain permission for the same duration as their parent.

The Private Life route leads to ILR or settlement in the UK.

Validity requirements for the Private Life route

An application seeking permission to stay in the UK on the Private Life route must satisfy all the following criteria: 

a. The applicant must apply online on the gov.uk website. They need to use the form “Application to remain in the UK on the basis of family life or private life”.

b. The applicant must have paid any required fee and immigration health charge (unless they have been granted a fee waiver partially or fully); and

c. The applicant must have enrolled in biometrics (their fingerprints and facial photograph) when required; and

d. The applicant must have submitted a passport or other valid document to establish their identity and nationality; and

e. The applicant must, on the date of application, be in the UK; and

f. If the applicant makes a private life claim under the Human Rights Convention - Article 8 and applies:

(i) at the same time as a protection (asylum and/or humanitarian protection) claim or further submission after a protection claim has been refused; or

(ii) when they are in detention (and the claim is submitted to a custody officer, prison officer, or a member of Home Office staff at the place of detention); or

(iii) during an appeal (subject to the Secretary of State’s consent where applicable), the requirements at (a), (b), and (d) listed above will be waived.

g. If the applicant is a child born in the UK to a person on the Private Life route, they must be aged under 18 when they apply

A child of an individual who already holds permission to stay on the UK Private Life route, or has an outstanding application seeking permission to stay under this route, or is settled in the UK or has become a British citizen, provided they had permission to stay on the Private Life route when they settled, and the child applicant was born before their parent settled.

Any application that does not satisfy all the validity criteria for a Private Life route may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability Requirements for the UK Private Life route

An application for the Private Life route in order to be successful must not fall for refusal under the UK Immigration Rules - Part Suitability.

Eligibility requirements for the UK Private Life route

The applicant seeking permission to stay based on Private Life in the UK needs to satisfy the following eligibility criteria for the Private Life route application.

1. Residence requirements for a child under 18 

Where the applicant is under 18 years old at the date of application, they must have lived in the UK continuously for a minimum of 7 years. In addition, the decision maker must be fully satisfied that requiring the child to leave the UK would be unreasonable in all the circumstances.

If the child is born in the UK, they will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain once they are 7 years old and meet the relevant requirements.

2. Residence requirements for young adults who entered the UK as children

If the applicant is a young adult aged between 18 and 24 at the time of application and first entered the UK before turning 18, they must have spent more than half of their life living continuously in the UK.

3. Residence requirements for adults

If the applicant is 18 or over on the date of application:

(a) they must have been in the UK for more than 20 years; or

(b) where the applicant has spent less than 20 years in the UK, the decision maker must be fully satisfied that there would be very significant obstacles to the applicant in integrating into the country where they would have to go to if required to leave the UK.

Please note that the applicant who has made an asylum or protection claim which has been declared inadmissible under Immigration Rules - Part 11 before 28 June 2022, or under specified sections of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, and which continues to be treated as inadmissible, cannot meet the requirement stated in point (b) right above.

4. Continuous Residence requirements on the UK Private Life route

The continuous residence period may include time spent by the UK Private Life route applicant in the UK with or without permission. It excludes any period of imprisonment or detention where the applicant was convicted of an offence and sentenced to a period of imprisonment or was directed to be detained in an institution other than a prison, for example, a Young Offenders Institution.

The applicant’s continuous residence is broken if they:

(a) have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days at any one time; or

(b) have been absent from the UK for a total of at least 550 days during the period of continuous residence; or

(c) have been deported, removed, or have left the UK having had an application for permission (leave to enter or leave to remain) in the UK refused; or

(d) left the UK, and at the time of leaving, there was no reasonable expectation that they would be able to return lawfully.

Eligibility requirements for a child born in the UK to an individual on the Private Life route

The child aged under 18 must have been born in the UK and must fulfil the following requirements:

(a) They must not be living independently; and

(b) There must be suitable arrangements for their care and accommodation in the UK; and

(c) They must meet the relationship requirement with their parent

Documents required

The applicant will usually need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of the length of time they have lived in the UK. For example, council tax returns, utility bills, tenancy agreements, and official letters (e.g., from schools or doctors).

• Valid passport, BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) or eVisa, and birth certificates (for children).

• If applying with or on behalf of dependents, they should include birth certificates, school records, or letters from authorities confirming family ties.

• Documents that demonstrate their educational, social, or professional ties in the UK. For example, school attendance records, employment letters, or community involvement.

The applicant may need to submit extra documents if required by the decision makers.

Decision on an application under the Private Life route

If UKVI is satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all the suitability and eligibility criteria for a UK Private Life route, it will approve the application; otherwise, it will refuse.??

It currently takes about 1 year to get a decision.

How long can a person stay on the Private Life route?

The successful applicants can stay in the UK for 30 months on this route.

They can apply for leave to remain in the UK for 60 months instead if they are aged under 18 and have lived in the UK continuously for 7 years or more, or if they are 18 or over and under 25, and have spent at least half their life in the UK.

If the applicant is a child born in the UK to someone on the UK Private Life route, they will be granted leave, which will end on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission in the UK expires first, unless the child’s other parent is a British citizen or someone who can enter or stay in the UK without any restriction and either is or will be ordinarily resident in the UK. In such a situation, the applicant will be granted permission in line with their parent's permission on the Private Life route.

How can Visa and Migration help?

Visa and Migration agency in London is known to provide clients with expert guidance and curated support for their application for the UK Private Life route. Our experts give you step-by-step assistance to navigate complex immigration rules and avoid mistakes that could potentially lead to refusal, help you in preparing a strong human rights-based case, and ensure you submit all documentation correctly. Our support significantly increases the possibility of a successful outcome. 

We provide the following:

• Assess your eligibility under the Private Life route and advise on the strongest route.

• Give you a list of documents and organise the evidence of continuous residence, relationships, and private life in the UK.

• Make sure you use the correct application form, pay the relevant fees, and submit the required supporting documents before submission.

• Put together a detailed Article 8 human rights-based statement tailored to your personal circumstances.

• Address all suitability concerns, for example, criminal convictions in the UK or overseas, deception, or NHS debts.

• Provide you with ongoing support on renewals and the path to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).