7-Year Child Private Life Route to ILR Requirements

A child under 18 with seven years of continuous UK residence may qualify to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) through the Private Life route.

To qualify for the 7-year child private life route to ILR, a child must be under 18, have seven years of continuous UK residence, and show it would be unreasonable to leave.

At Wembley Solicitors, we regularly support parents who are unsure whether their child qualifies under the 7-year rule, how the "reasonableness test" works, and whether settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is possible straight away.

If your child has completed 7 years in the UK, contact Wembley Solicitors at 020 3417 3700 for detailed immigration advice and eligibility assessment.

Table of Contents

What Is the 7-Year Child Private Life Route to ILR?

A child under 18 who has lived in the UK continuously for seven years can apply for leave to remain under the private life route if it would be unreasonable to expect them to leave the country.

If granted, this usually leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after either 5 or 10 years, depending on the route they are placed on.

However, a child born in the UK and who has lived here for 7 continuous years may be eligible to apply directly for ILR, subject to meeting the reasonableness requirement.

Can A Child Apply Directly for ILR After 7 Years in the UK?

In some cases, yes. If a child was born in the UK and has lived here continuously for seven years, they may apply directly for Indefinite Leave to Remain. However, the Home Office will still assess whether it is reasonable for the child to leave the UK.

Children who were not born in the UK are usually granted limited leave first, which then leads to settlement through the 5-year or 10-year route.

Pathways to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

The 7-year child private life route does not operate in a one-size-fits-all way. There are different pathways to settlement depending on the child's circumstances.

Direct ILR for Children Born in the UK

A child born in the UK and who has lived here continuously for 7 years may be able to apply directly for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

This can be a powerful route because it avoids the need to spend additional years on temporary visas. The key factor remains the reasonableness test. The Home Office must still be satisfied that it would be unreasonable to expect the child to leave.

The 5-Year Route to ILR

If a child arrived in the UK and later completed seven years of residence, they may be granted limited leave under the private life route.

In some cases, this leads to settlement after five years of lawful residence on that route. This is often referred to as the "5-year route to ILR."

This pathway is generally available where the child and family meet the suitability and financial expectations set out in the Immigration Rules.

The 10-Year Route to ILR

Where certain requirements are not fully met, the Home Office may grant leave in 2.5-year increments. This is commonly known as the "10-year route."

Under this pathway:

• The child receives 30 months' leave at a time.
• They must extend their visa before it expires.
• After completing 10 years of lawful residence on this route, they may apply for ILR.

While longer, this route still provides a lawful pathway to permanent settlement.

Requirements for the 7-Year Child Private Life Route to ILR

To qualify under the 7-Year Child Private Life Route to ILR, a child must meet the following requirements:

1. The child must be under 18 at the time of application
2. The child must have lived in the UK for at least 7 consecutive years
3. Must meet the reasonableness test, showing it would be unfair to remove the child
4. Submission of the correct application form (FLR(FP)) with supporting evidence

Age Requirement for a Child Applying for ILR Under the 7-Year Rule

To apply ILR for a child under the 7-year rule, the child must be under 18 at the time of application. If they turn 18 before applying, adult Private Life rules apply, which have different requirements. Early planning is crucial to ensure eligibility before the child's 18th birthday.

Seven Years of Continuous Residence Requirement

The child must have lived in the UK continuously for at least seven years. "Continuous residence" generally means the child has not been absent from the UK for long periods and has genuinely been living here as their home. School records, GP registration, letters from teachers, and other documentation often play an important role in proving this.

Seven years is considered significant because it represents a large portion of a child's formative years. By that stage, most children have established friendships, educational progress, and social connections that form part of their identity.

The "Unreasonableness" Requirement

Meeting the 7-year residence requirement does not automatically guarantee ILR. The key question is whether it would be reasonable to expect the child to leave the UK.

The Home Office considers factors such as:

• Child's age and length of residence
• Education and schooling ties
• Friendships and social connections
• Cultural integration in the UK
• Ties to another country
• The child's best interests

If leaving the UK would be unreasonable for the child, the application is more likely to succeed.

FLR(FP) Application Form

To apply for leave to remain for a child who has lived in the UK for 7 years, use the online FLR(FP) form (Family and Private Life) via the GOV.UK website. This usually grants 2.5 years of limited leave, not immediate ILR, and requires evidence of continuous residence, integration, and that it would be unreasonable for the child to leave the UK.

What Documents Are Needed for the 7-Year Child Private Life Route to ILR?

Documents you will need to provide:

• Child's valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Parents' passports and immigration documents
• Evidence of seven years' residence
• School letters and reports
• Medical evidence (if relevant)
• Detailed witness statements from parents
• Evidence of community involvement

Applying for the 7-year child private life route to ILR requires careful preparation and strong supporting evidence. The goal is to show that the child has lived continuously in the UK for seven years and that it would be unreasonable for them to leave.

Common Mistakes in 7-Year Child Applications

Even strong cases can fail if poorly prepared. Some common issues include:

• Weak evidence of continuous residence
• Failing to address the reasonableness test directly
• Relying solely on the length of stay without explaining integration
• Missing deadlines for visa extensions

A successful application requires careful preparation, structured legal arguments, and well-organised documentation.

Does Time Spent Without a Visa Count Towards The 7 Years?

Yes, in many cases it can. For the purposes of the 7-year private life route, the focus is on actual residence, not just lawful residence. Even if the child did not have a valid immigration status during part of the seven years, that time may still count, provided they were physically living in the UK.

However, each case should be assessed carefully, as immigration history can affect the overall application.

How Long Does It Take to Get ILR Under the 7-Year Child Route?

It depends on the pathway granted.

• Some children (particularly those born in the UK) may qualify for immediate ILR.
• Others may be placed on a 5-year route to settlement.
• In certain cases, a 10-year route applies, with leave granted in 2.5-year increments.

Understanding which route applies is an important part of immigration planning for families.

Do I Need a Solicitor for the 7-Year Child Private Life Application?

While it is legally possible to apply without legal representation, these applications involve detailed legal arguments and careful presentation of evidence.

An experienced immigration solicitor can:

• Assess eligibility properly
• Address the reasonableness test clearly
• Prepare structured legal submissions
• Reduce the risk of refusal

How Wembley Solicitors Can Help

We understand how stressful immigration uncertainty can be for families. Our team provides:

• Clear advice on eligibility
• Full application preparation
• Detailed legal representations
• Support with extensions and ILR applications
• Guidance if a previous application has been refused

Every child's situation is unique. We take time to understand your family's circumstances and build a strong case tailored to your child's future.

Contact Wembley Solicitors for Legal Assistance

If your child is approaching the 7-year residence mark or you need help with a Private Life ILR application, our specialist immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors can provide expert guidance, ensure all requirements are met, and help maximise the chances of a successful outcome.

Applying for your child's ILR after 7 years? Call Wembley Solicitors on 020 3417 3700 or email info@wembleysolicitors.com for trusted legal advice.