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7 Years Child ILR Route | ILR For A Child Born In The UK
The 7 years child ILR route UK allows children under 18 who have lived in the UK continuously for seven years to apply for settlement, primarily under the Appendix Private Life rules.
If you were born in the UK and have lived here for 7 continuous years since your birth, you can apply immediately for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of your private life.
What is the 7 year ILR route for kids?
The “7 Years Child ILR Route” in the UK refers to a private life route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which allows children born in the UK who have resided continuously for 7 years to apply for permanent residency. This rule, outlined in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules, provides a path to settle in the UK for children who have built a life here
An application for a stay in the UK under the 7-year child ILR route is made to the Home Office UKVI in accordance with requirements as set out in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.
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Free Immigration Advice For 7 Years Child ILR Route
Our team of specialist immigration solicitors offers one-off free immigration advice online for individuals applying based on the 7-Year Child ILR Route. You can submit your question online to receive free guidance from our experts. If you require more in-depth support, you can also book an appointment online for a detailed consultation with one of our experienced immigration solicitors to discuss your long residence application in full.
7-Year Child ILR Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for ILR under this route, the following criteria must be met:
- The child must have been continuously living in the UK for at least 7 years.
- It must be unreasonable to expect the child to leave the UK.
- The applicant must not fall under any general grounds for refusal, such as criminality or deception.
The decision-making process considers various factors, including the child’s best interests, their level of integration into UK society, and their cultural and educational ties.
Case Study: Successful ILR Grant for Children After 7 Years in the UK
A mother approached Deluxe Law Chambers after receiving a refusal decision from the Home Office for herself and her two children. Both children were born in the UK and had lived here continuously for over seven years.
The family had previously applied for leave to remain under the private life provisions, relying on the children’s length of residence and integration in the UK. Despite meeting the residence requirement, the Home Office refused the applications, stating that removal would be reasonable and that the evidence provided was insufficient.
The refusal placed the family under significant stress and uncertainty, particularly due to the children’s age, education, and strong ties to life in the UK.
The Legal Issues
The key challenges in this case included:
- Overcoming a Home Office refusal already on record
- Demonstrating that it would be unreasonable to expect the children to leave the UK
- Presenting compelling evidence of the children’s best interests, integration, and private life
- Securing a swift and lawful outcome for the parent as well as the children
Our Approach
After taking detailed instructions, our immigration team conducted a full review of the refusal letter and the family’s circumstances. We identified legal and factual errors in the Home Office’s decision, particularly in how the children’s best interests and length of residence were assessed.
We then:
- Prepared strong, detailed legal representations addressing the refusal point by point
- Highlighted the children’s continuous residence from birth and their education, friendships, and social integration in the UK
- Emphasised established case law and Home Office policy supporting ILR for qualifying children
- Submitted clear evidence demonstrating why removal would be unreasonable
- Made separate, well-structured submissions for the mother based on her relationship with the qualifying children
The Outcome
The results were swift and positive:
- ✅ Both children were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- ⏱️ The ILR decisions were issued within 4–5 months
- ✅ The mother was granted leave to remain within just 2 days under the standard service
This outcome brought immediate security and stability to the family, allowing the children to continue their lives and education in the UK without disruption.
Why This Case Matters
This case demonstrates that:
- A previous refusal does not mean the end of the road
- Children who have lived in the UK for 7 years or more have strong legal protections
- Proper legal arguments and evidence can lead to ILR, not just limited leave
- Parents can regularise their status quickly when applications are prepared correctly
Settlement Under 7 Years Child Residence Route
The 7-year child residence route allows a child to apply for settlement based on their long-term residence in the UK. A child who was born in the UK and has lived here continuously for 7 years becomes eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) immediately after completing the 7-year period. On the other hand, a child who entered the UK as a minor and has completed 7 years of continuous residence while still under the age of 18 can apply for limited leave to remain, either for 30 months or 60 months, under the 5-year route to settlement.
Family Members Of The Child Who Has Completed 7 Years Residence
Parents and minor siblings of a child who has completed 7 years of continuous residence in the UK can also apply for leave to remain, either at the same time as the child or after the child has been granted leave under the 7-year child residence route. These family members will be granted leave to remain for 30 months under the 10-year route to settlement. This means they will become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing 10 years of lawful residence in the UK, in accordance with Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. Additionally, a child born in the UK to a person who holds permission under the Private Life route can apply for leave to remain for the same duration as their parent.
ILR for a child born & lived in the UK for 7 years continuously
A child can apply for ILR on the basis of his/her birth in the UK and 7 years of continuous residence in the UK. After new immigration rules, a child born and living in the UK for 7 years can apply for settlement rather than limited leave to remain.
Our expert team of immigration lawyers is specialists in dealing with ILR applications on the basis of 7 years of child residence. As specialist long-residence lawyers, our experienced immigration lawyers have a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide high-quality legal services for ILR applications. Ask a question to our ILR solicitors for free immigration advice or schedule an appointment for detailed legal advice concerning your ILR application.
New Rules for 7 Years’ Continuous Residence by a Child
On 15 March 2022, the UK Government published a new statement of changes introducing major changes to the immigration rules, including significant changes to the rules involving children’s route to settlement.
Paragraph 276ADE(1) of the Immigration Rules, which governs permission to stay on private life grounds, is replaced by a new ‘Appendix Private Life’.
Children born in the UK
- A child who is born and has lived in the UK continuously for 7 years will now be able to apply for settlement immediately instead of limited leave to remain. This avoids the need for children to apply for extensions repeatedly.
- A child born in the UK who has lived in the UK for less than 7 years may be added as a dependant to a person on a private life route in certain circumstances to allow them to regularise their immigration status.
Children born outside the UK
A child who is born outside the UK but who has lived in the UK continuously for 7 years will be able to apply for settlement after 5 years rather than 10 years as is the case at present.
Applications Under 7 Years Child ILR Route
Our expert team of immigration lawyers and solicitors can help you with the following applications based on 7 years child residence in the UK:
- Visa Application for a child born outside the UK but lived 7 years in the UK
- Extension of visa granted under 7 years of child residence
- ILR for a child born outside the UK but lived 7 years in the UK
Continuous Residence for at least 7 Years
The child must have:
- Lived in the UK continuously for 7 years or more.
- Absences from the UK must be minor and temporary (typically not exceeding 180 days in any 12-month period).
“Continuous residence” means without significant breaks from the UK.
Child Is Under 18 at the Time of Application
- The child must be under 18 years old when the application is submitted.
- If the child turns 18 before the decision, they may still qualify if all other requirements are met.
Best Interests of the Child
The decision-maker must be satisfied that:
- Granting ILR is conducive to the child’s welfare.
- It would be reasonable and proportionate to allow the child to remain permanently in the UK.
This is a key factor and is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Required Supporting Evidence
Submit the following documentation in support of the ILR application
- Birth certificate
- Passport or travel document
- Evidence of 7 years of continuous residence in the UK
- An explanation for periods of absence
- Other evidence relevant to the case
Fees and Processing Times 7 Years Child ILR Route (2026)
- The ILR application fee for children is set by the Home Office and reviewed regularly. It can be a significant amount, so always check the most recent fee schedule.
- Processing times can vary, but decisions are commonly issued within 6–12 months for complex cases unless priority or super-priority services are used.
Why Clients Choose Deluxe Law Chambers?
With offices in Manchester and London, Deluxe Law Chambers provides expert legal advice for all UK visa and immigration matters. Our experienced immigration lawyers are committed to making the visa process clear, efficient, and stress-free from start to finish.
- Our team has over 11 years of practical experience of working in UK immigration law firms and stays fully up to date with the latest Home Office rules and guidance, ensuring accurate and reliable legal advice.
- Every immigration case is different. Our immigration solicitors take the time to understand your circumstances and provide tailored legal solutions that meet your specific needs.
- Where eligible, we offer Priority and Super Priority UK visa services to help you obtain faster immigration decisions.
- We offer flexible video, telephone, and in-person appointments from our Manchester office, assisting clients across the UK and overseas.
- Our immigration lawyers are available seven days a week, including weekends, for urgent and time-sensitive immigration matters.
- We provide clear fixed-fee pricing, with instalment options available and no hidden costs.
At Deluxe Law Chambers, our SRA-regulated immigration solicitors are committed to delivering professional, honest, and results-driven UK immigration advice you can trust.
7 Years Child ILR Route Application FAQs
How can a child get ILR in the UK after 7 years?
Under the new law from 20th June 2022, a child born in the UK and lived in the UK for continuously 7 years is eligible to apply for immediate ILR on the basis of private life.
What is the 7 years child immigration rule?
Under 7 years child immigration rule, a child who has lived in the UK is able to apply for limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain.
What is the 7 years child ILR route application?
A child born in the UK who has been continuously resident for 7 years may qualify for immediate settlement on this route.
How much is the indefinite leave to remain fee for a child?
The Home Office fee for indefinite leave to remain for a child is £3,029.
Settlement under 7 years route
The 7 years child residence route is a settlement route whereby the child who is born in the UK and lived in the UK for 7 years will qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) immediately upon completion of 7 years of continuous residence and a child who entered the UK as a minor and completed 7 years residence while still under 18 can apply for limited leave to remain for 30 months or 60 months under 5 years route to settlement.
