ILR as a Parent of a British Child

You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a parent of a British child after completing 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on the parent route.

You can apply up to 28 days before completing your five-year qualifying period. You must submit applications online from inside the UK via the GOV.UK settlement portal.

Call Wembley Solicitors on 020 3417 3700 today for immigration advice and help with your ILR application as a parent of a British child.

Table of Contents

What Is ILR as a Parent of a British Child?

ILR as a parent of a British child is UK permanent residency status for a non-British parent, allowing you to live, work, and study in the UK without time limits.

This settlement status is available to a parent with sole or shared parental responsibility for a child who is British, settled in the UK, or has lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years.

Can I Apply for ILR as a Parent of a British Child After 5 Years?

Yes. If you're on the 5-year parent route under Appendix FM and continue to meet the eligibility requirements throughout, you can apply for ILR after completing 60 months (5 years) of continuous residence.

If you were granted leave under the exceptional circumstances provisions (for example, where EX.1 applied), you'll usually be on the 10-year route instead, with ILR available after 120 months.

Requirements for ILR as a Parent of a British Child

To qualify on the 5-year route, you must:

• Have sole or shared parental responsibility for a British, settled, or long-resident child
• Show the parental relationship (birth certificate or a UK court order)
• Show you're not the partner of the child's other parent or primary carer, and have direct access to the child
• Complete 5 continuous years of residence on the parent route
• Show the child will be adequately maintained and accommodated, without relying on public funds
• Meet the English language requirement at B1, unless exempt
• Pass the Life in the UK Test, unless exempt
• Meet the continuous residence requirement (no excess absences)
• Meet the suitability (good character) requirement

Parental Responsibility and Access Evidence

Since this route usually applies where the parents are separated, you'll need to evidence your ongoing role in the child's life, such as:

• A Child Arrangements Order or contact schedule
• School records showing parental involvement
• Evidence of medical appointments attended
• Photographs, messages, and correspondence with the child
• Letters from teachers, health professionals, or other third parties confirming your involvement

Financial Requirement for ILR as a Parent

There's no fixed minimum income threshold on the parent route. Instead, you must show the child can be adequately maintained and accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds. This is usually evidenced through income, savings, or a combination, alongside accommodation evidence, assessed on the specific circumstances of the family rather than against a set figure.

Continuous Residence Requirement

You must complete 5 continuous years on the parent route, with:

• No more than 184 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period
• No more than 548 days total absence across the full qualifying period

Absences beyond these limits can affect eligibility unless there's a properly documented, acceptable reason.

English Language Requirement for ILR as a Parent of a British Child

Most applicants applying for ILR as a parent of a British child need to meet the English language requirement at CEFR B1. From 26 March 2027, the required level will increase to B2 for most routes.

You may not need to take a new English test if you can meet the requirement through a previous qualification or another accepted form of evidence. The requirements and exemptions depend on your circumstances.

The Immigration Rules specify the change from B1 to B2 for settlement applications made from 26 March 2027.

Read our ILR English Language Requirements Guide for information about English tests, qualifications and exemptions.

Life in the UK Test Requirement for ILR as a Parent of a British Child

You must usually pass the Life in the UK Test before applying for ILR as a parent of a British child, if you are aged 18 to 65, unless an exemption applies. The test costs £50, and you need to score at least 75% to pass.

You may be exempt based on your age, a qualifying medical condition or other circumstances.

Read our ILR Life in the UK Test Guide for information about the test, exemptions, booking and preparation.

Document Checklist for ILR as a Parent of a British Child

When applying for ILR as a parent of a British child, you will need to provide:

• Current passport
• Biometric Residence Permit or eVisa details
• English language test certificate (B1) or evidence of exemption
• Life in the UK Test pass certificate or evidence of exemption
• Full schedule of UK absences during the qualifying period
• Child's British passport, evidence of settled status, or evidence of 7 years' UK residence
• Child's full birth certificate
• Child Arrangements Order or other court order, if applicable
• Evidence of contact and access arrangements
• School records showing parental involvement
• Evidence of medical appointments attended
• Photographs and communication with the child
• Letters from teachers or professionals confirming your involvement
• Evidence of income or savings showing the child can be maintained
• Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or accommodation proof
• Council tax and utility bills confirming your address
• Any relevant previous Home Office correspondence
• Certified translations for documents that are not in English or Welsh
• Any additional documents requested by the application or relevant to your circumstances

How to Apply for ILR as a Parent of a British Child?

You must submit your ILR application as a parent of a British child online from inside the UK via the GOV.UK settlement portal.

To apply, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Check if you are eligible
2. Collect the necessary documents
3. Complete the SET(M) application form online
4. Pay the application fee
5. Submit your application
6. Book & attend a biometric appointment
7. Wait for a decision

When Can I Apply for ILR as a Parent of a British Child?

You can normally apply for ILR as a parent of a British child up to 28 days before completing your five-year qualifying period.

For example, if you complete five years of qualifying residence on 1 October 2026, you can normally submit your ILR application from 3 September 2026.

Applying too early can cause problems because you may not have completed the required qualifying period on the date of application.

Do not wait until your current visa expires if you are already eligible for ILR. If your current permission expires before you can qualify and apply, you may need to extend your permission first.

How Much Does ILR as a Parent of a British Child Cost?

The standard Home Office fee for an ILR application as a parent of a British child is £3,226. Each dependant applying for ILR must also pay the full application fee.

You may also have additional costs, such as the £50 Life in the UK Test fee and fees for optional faster-decision services. Your total cost will depend on your circumstances and whether you use a solicitor.

For a full breakdown of Home Office fees, additional costs and solicitor fees, see our ILR Fees & Costs Guide.

How Long Does ILR Application Take?

A standard ILR application as a parent of a British child is usually decided within 6 months of providing your fingerprints and photograph. If you are eligible, you may be able to use the super priority service for a faster decision.

Read our ILR Processing Time Guide for current standard and faster processing options.

Common Reasons for Refusal on the Parent Route

• Insufficient evidence of ongoing parental responsibility or access to the child
• Gaps in the relationship evidence, making it hard to show genuine, continuing involvement
• Absences exceeding 184 days in a 12-month period, or 548 days overall, without a good reason
• Inadequate evidence of income, savings, or accommodation to maintain the child
• Missing or inconsistent documents, such as unexplained gaps in the residence record
• Failure to meet the English language or Life in the UK Test requirement, or provide valid exemption evidence
• Discrepancies between the application and previous Home Office records or statements
• Suitability issues, such as undisclosed convictions or previous immigration breaches
• Applying before actually completing the 5-year qualifying period

Why Choose Wembley Solicitors?

Applying for ILR as a parent of a British child involves more than simply completing five years in the UK. Your immigration history, relationship, financial evidence, continuous residence and other settlement requirements all need to be considered.

Wembley Solicitors is an SRA-regulated law firm (SRA No. 806549) with 17+ years of experience in UK immigration law.

Clients choose Wembley Solicitors for:

• Specialist immigration experience – advice on family/parent visas, ILR, citizenship and other UK immigration matters.
• Experience with ILR applications – helping clients understand the five-year qualifying period and settlement requirements.
• Clear, practical advice – guidance on financial evidence, relationship documents, English language and Life in the UK requirements.
• Document checking – helping you identify and prepare the evidence required for your application.
• Transparent pricing – clear information about legal fees before you proceed.
• Local and UK-wide service – based in Wembley and assisting clients across London and the UK.

If you're approaching five years on the Parent visa route and are unsure whether you qualify for ILR, our immigration solicitors can review your circumstances and advise you on the appropriate route.

Need Help with Your ILR Application?

If you're applying for ILR as a parent of a British child after five years, getting your qualifying period, financial evidence and supporting documents right is important. Our immigration solicitors can review your circumstances, check your eligibility and guide you through the application process.

Call Wembley Solicitors on 020 3417 3700 today to get expert help with your ILR application as a parent of a British child.