ILR after 7 Years Residence for a Child Born in the UK - Specialist Solicitors for Private Life Applications

: Written by: Arshad Mahmood; Last Updated: 13 April 2026

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. An application for ILR on this basis is made in accordance with the requirements as set out in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. The option of ILR for children born in the UK who have lived in the UK for 7 years has been recently introduced as a result of recent changes to the Immigration Rules.

Free Immigration Advice for ILR as a Child Born in the UK & Lived in the UK for 7 Years

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide 5 minutes of free, one-off immigration advice regarding your child's application for ILR based on birth in the UK and 7 years of continuous residence since birth. Ask a question to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online or book an appointment online for a detailed immigration advice and consultation session with one of our immigration lawyers concerning your application for ILR as a child who was born in the UK and lived in the UK for 7 years continuously.

Requirements for ILR as a Child Born in the UK and Lived in the UK for 7 Years

A child applying for ILR on the basis of birth in the UK and living continuously in the UK for 7 years should meet the following requirements of the Immigration Rules as set out in Appendix Private Life:

Valid Application for ILR

The applicant must submit a valid application for ILR as a child who was born in the UK and lived in the UK continuously for 7 years, in accordance with the requirements for a valid application set out in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.

Birth in the UK Requirement

The applicant must have been born in the UK and must provide a full UK birth certificate.

Suitability Requirements: The applicant's application for ILR must not fall for refusal on suitability grounds as set out in the Appendix Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules.

Residence Requirements

The applicant must have lived continuously in the UK since their birth and for at least 7 years at the date of application.

The period of continuous residence may include time spent in the UK with or without permission. The period of continuous residence does not include any period during which the applicant was serving a sentence of imprisonment or was detained in an institution other than a prison.

The period of continuous residence is broken (i.e. is no longer continuous) if any of the following apply:

the applicant has been absent from the UK for more than 6 months at any one time; or
the applicant has spent a total of 550 days or more absent from the UK during the relevant period of continuous residence of 7 years; or
the applicant has been removed, deported or has left the UK having had an application for permission to enter or stay in the UK refused; or
the applicant left the UK with no reasonable expectation at the time of leaving that they would lawfully be able to return.

Not Reasonable to Expect the Child to Leave the UK

The decision maker must be satisfied that it is not reasonable to expect the applicant to leave the UK. In accordance with the findings in the case of AB Jamaica (Secretary of State for the Home Department v AB (Jamaica) & Anor [2019] EWCA Civ 661), consideration of whether it is reasonable to expect a child to leave the UK must be undertaken regardless of whether the child is actually expected to leave the UK.

In the caselaw of KO (Nigeria) and Others [2018] UKSC 53, with particular reference to one of the appellants NS (Sri Lanka), the Supreme Court found that ‘reasonableness’ is to be considered in the real-world context in which the child finds themselves. The parents’ immigration status is a relevant fact to establish that context. The determination sets out that if a child’s parents are both expected to leave the UK, the child is normally expected to leave with them, unless there is evidence that it would not be reasonable.

In relation to children whose parents do not have permission to stay, there is no presumption in favour of them and their parents being granted permission to stay. In each case, it remains necessary to evaluate all the circumstances to determine whether it would be reasonable to expect the child to leave the UK with their parents. If it would not be reasonable to expect the child to leave the UK, then the family as a whole may be entitled to remain.

The above assessment must prioritise the child’s best interests. The Home Office UKVI should carefully consider all the relevant points raised in the application and carefully assess any evidence provided. Decisions must not be taken simply on any assertions about the child, but rather on the basis of an examination of all the evidence provided. All relevant factors need to be assessed in the round.

How Can We Help?

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis for your ILR application. Our fixed fee for your ILR application will cover all the work of our immigration solicitors on your ILR application until a decision is made by the Home Office UKVI on your ILR application. The casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your ILR application will entail the following:

Advice on requirements: Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you have to meet for your ILR application to succeed.
Advised on documents: Our immigration lawyers will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents for your ILR application.
Assessment of documents: Our immigration lawyers will assess your documents to make sure that all the documents you provide in support of your ILR application are in accordance with the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
Completing the application form: Our immigration lawyers will complete the relevant application form for your ILR application.
Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your ILR application, our immigration lawyers will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.
Preparing a detailed cover letter: Our specialist immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your ILR application, explaining how all the legal requirements are met for its approval.
Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our immigration lawyers will upload online all the supporting documents to be considered in support of your ILR application.
Follow-up work: Our immigration lawyers will handle all follow-up until the Home Office UKVI issues a decision on your ILR application.

Specialist Immigration Solicitors for Private Life Applications

Our immigration solicitors are specialists in ILR application for a UK-born child based on 7 years of continuous residence since birth. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain ILR for a UK-born child who has lived in the UK for 7 years continuously since birth. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your child's ILR application.

The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.

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At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the ILR application process with professionalism and care.

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