Some people can apply to stay because of the life they have built in the UK, including children and young people who have grown up here. These applications involve judgement as well as evidence, and the rules are specific.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- The Immigration Rules include a Private Life route. For a person under 18 it requires at least 7 years’ continuous UK residence, and that it would not be reasonable to expect the applicant to leave.
- A person aged 18 to 24 who arrived as a child may qualify if they have lived continuously in the UK for at least half their life.
- Other adults aged 18 or over may qualify with more than 20 years’ continuous residence or, if not, if there would be very significant obstacles to their integration abroad.
- Permission under the route is for 30 or 60 months, depending on the person’s category.
- The route is a route to settlement. Those who held permission as a child or qualifying young adult generally need 5 years with permission; other adults generally need 10 years.
- GOV.UK also has a route to indefinite leave to remain on a private life basis for people who have a private life visa, or who were born in the UK and have lived here continuously until at least age 7.
- GOV.UK says you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you receive a decision on a settlement application, or it will be withdrawn.
What usually decides the outcome.
- Evidence of continuous residence for every year claimed.
- The applicant’s age, and the ages and nationality of any children affected.
- Whether leaving the UK would be reasonable or would cause very significant obstacles.
- English language and Life in the UK requirements at settlement, unless an exemption applies.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.