Immigration Law and Nationality - Private Life

You may be able to make an application to remain in the UK on the basis of your private or family life if:

• You are less than 18 years old and have lived in the UK for at least 7 years and it is not reasonable to expect you to leave the UK.
• You are a young person between 18 and 25 years old and have lived in the UK for more than half of your life.
• You are over 25 and have lived in the UK continuously for more than 20 years.
• You are over 18 and there are significant obstacles to returning to your country of origin.

Applications made under “Private Life” can be complex and require a lot of evidence.

As of June 2022, minors born in the UK who have spent 7 years of their life in the UK can now obtain indefinite leave to remain directly instead of a 30 month visa.

Similarly, minors that were not born in the UK but have lived in the UK for at least 7 years, and young people between 18 and 25 can now apply for permanent residence after 5 years rather than 10.