UK Private Life Visa Applications
Applications under the private life route can only be made if you are already living in the UK.
To qualify, you must meet one of the following conditions:
- You are under 18 and have lived continuously in the UK for at least 7 years, and it would not be reasonable for you to leave
- You are aged between 18 and 24 and have spent more than half of your life living in the UK
- You are 18 or older, have lived in the UK for less than 20 years, and would face very serious difficulties if required to leave
- You have lived in the UK continuously for 20 years
- You were born in the UK to a person who already has permission to stay based on private life, or is applying for it
Family members may be included in the same application, although each case will be assessed individually.
What Is the UK Private Life Visa?
A private life visa allows individuals to remain in the UK based on the life they have established there. This includes both personal and family connections developed over time.
This route is based on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and is supported by the Human Rights Act 1998, which protects the right to private and family life.
Depending on eligibility, applicants may be granted:
- Limited leave to remain
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
A child born in the UK who has lived continuously for 7 years may qualify directly for ILR instead of limited leave.
How to Apply for Private Life Visa Applications
Private life visa applications allow individuals to continue living in the UK where they have built strong personal and family ties.
Eligibility is primarily based on how long you have lived in the UK and your individual circumstances.
You may qualify if:
- You are under 18 and have lived continuously in the UK for at least 7 years, and it would be unreasonable to expect you to leave
- You were born in the UK to a person who has, or is applying for, permission to stay
- You are aged between 18 and 25 and have lived in the UK for more than half your life
- You have lived in the UK continuously for 20 years and no longer have meaningful ties to your country of origin
Private & Family Life Applications
We provide support for a range of applications under the private life category, including:
- Discretionary Leave to Remain applications
- 7 Years Child Route applications
Lawyers for Private Life Visa Applications
Our qualified immigration professionals offer reliable assistance with private life visa applications from within the UK.
We provide structured guidance and fixed-fee services to ensure your application is handled efficiently and accurately.
What Is Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)?
Article 8 protects an individual’s right to respect for their private and family life, home, and correspondence.
It states:
- 8(1): Everyone has the right to respect for their private and family life, home, and correspondence
- 8(2): Public authorities may only interfere with this right where it is lawful and necessary, for reasons such as national security, public safety, prevention of crime, protection of health or morals, or safeguarding the rights of others
This right is considered a qualified right, meaning it must be balanced against wider public interests such as immigration control and public safety.
Concession for Longer Leave and Early Indefinite Leave to Remain
In October 2021, a policy allowed certain young adults to receive longer periods of leave and qualify for settlement earlier.
Under this concession:
- Individuals who arrived as children could apply for settlement after 5 years
- This applied if they had already been granted leave on private or family grounds and completed 5 years after turning 18
This concession ended when it was formally included in the Immigration Rules on 20 June 2022.
Private Life Visa Applications for Children and Young Adults
The private life route is designed for individuals who have spent a significant portion of their lives in the UK.
Although this route typically leads to settlement after 10 years, there are exceptions for children and young adults.
Eligible groups include:
- Children who have lived continuously in the UK for 7 years and where it would not be reasonable for them to leave
- Young adults aged between 18 and under 25 who arrived as children and have spent at least half of their life in the UK
Length of Permission
- Children and young adults can choose to be granted permission for either 30 months or 60 months
- Adults are usually granted permission for 30 months at a time
- Settlement is generally possible after 10 years of continuous residence under this route
