The private life route visa UK provides an immigration pathway for individuals who have established deep roots in British society. Whether you've lived in the UK for 7 years as a child, spent half your life here as a young adult, or accumulated 20 years of residence, Appendix Private Life under the Immigration Rules offers a structured route to settlement. This comprehensive guide explains the eligibility criteria, application process, fees, and the different pathways to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) available in 2026.
Private Life Route Visa UK: Understanding the Immigration Pathway
The private life route is a UK immigration pathway that allows individuals to remain in the country based on the life they have established here. Unlike work or family routes that focus on employment or relationships, the private life route recognises the connections, integration, and roots that a person has developed through long-term residence in the UK.
What is the Private Life Route in UK Immigration?
The private life route is an immigration pathway governed by Appendix Private Life (introduced 20 June 2022) that allows people to stay in the UK based on their established life here. It applies to children with 7+ years residence, young adults (18-24) who have spent half their life in the UK, and adults with 20+ years residence or those facing very significant obstacles to reintegration abroad.
The legal foundation for private life applications is found in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules, Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1971, and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to respect for private and family life. This route is closely related to but distinct from family and private life considerations under Article 8.
Who Can Apply for the Private Life Route?
The private life route caters to several categories of applicants based on their age and length of residence in the UK:
Private Life Route Visa UK Requirements
To qualify for leave to remain under the private life route, you must meet specific eligibility criteria based on your age and circumstances. All applications must be made from within the UK—you cannot apply for a private life visa from overseas.
What Are the 7 Year Child Private Life Route to ILR Requirements?
Children under 18 who have lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years can apply for leave to remain if it would be unreasonable to expect them to leave. UK-born children meeting this requirement can apply for immediate ILR, while non-UK-born children are placed on the 5-year route to settlement. The Home Office assesses "reasonableness" based on the child's integration, education, social ties, and best interests.
For children applying under the 7-year route, the Home Office considers factors including:
- Education and language: Whether the child is enrolled in UK education, speaks English fluently, and would face educational disruption
- Social integration: Friends, community connections, and participation in activities in the UK
- Family circumstances: Whether parents are leaving the UK and the child's relationship with family members
- Country of return: The child's connection to (or lack of connection with) their country of nationality
- Best interests: The overall welfare and best interests of the child as a primary consideration
Young Adult Private Life Route (18-24 Years)
Young adults aged 18 to 24 can qualify for the private life route if they have spent at least half of their life living continuously in the UK. This category recognises that individuals brought to the UK as children should not be unfairly penalised for circumstances beyond their control.
Adult Private Life Route (25+ Years)
Adults aged 25 or over can apply under the private life route in two ways:
20-Year Residence Route: If you have lived continuously in the UK for at least 20 years, you can apply regardless of whether that time was spent with or without lawful immigration status. However, time spent in prison does not count toward the 20-year requirement.
Very Significant Obstacles Route: If you have less than 20 years residence, you must demonstrate that there would be "very significant obstacles" to your integration into your country of nationality or any other country where you would be required to go if you left the UK.
Continuous Residence Requirements
For all private life categories, continuous residence is essential. Your residence will be considered continuous unless:
- Single absence: You spent more than 6 months outside the UK at any one time
- Total absences: You spent more than 18 months (550 days) outside the UK in total during the qualifying period
- Prison time: Any time spent in prison does not count and breaks continuity
- Removal/deportation: You were removed, deported, or left while permission was refused
Private Life Route to Settlement (ILR Pathways)
The private life route provides two distinct pathways to Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement): a 5-year route and a 10-year route. Your pathway depends on your age and the circumstances of your initial grant.
5-Year Private Life Route to ILR
The 5-year route to settlement applies to children under 18 with 7 years continuous residence and young adults aged 18-24 who have spent half their life in the UK. These applicants are typically granted 5 years leave (60 months) initially and can apply for ILR after completing this period without needing extensions.
Following the July 2025 Immigration Rules changes (HC 836), enhanced 5-year pathways are now available for children who held dependent status under Appendix FM before 20 June 2022 and who had lived in the UK for 7 years at that time. This change streamlines settlement for children who spent substantial time in the UK before the introduction of Appendix Private Life.
10-Year Private Life Route to ILR
The 10-year route applies to adults who meet the 20-year residence requirement or demonstrate very significant obstacles to reintegration. Applicants on this route are typically granted 30 months (2.5 years) of leave at a time and must make at least 4 applications (including the initial grant) before reaching the 10-year qualifying period for ILR.
- 5-year route: Children (7 years) and young adults (18-24 with half life) — granted 60 months initially
- 10-year route: Adults with 20 years or "very significant obstacles" — granted 30 months, requires extensions
- Immediate ILR: UK-born children with 7 years continuous residence can apply directly for settlement
- ILR tests: Applicants aged 18-64 must pass English B1 and Life in the UK test (with some exemptions)
Private Life Route Visa UK Fees 2026
Private life route applications incur both Home Office application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Fees apply to each applicant, including dependent children.
Fee Waiver for Private Life Applications
If you cannot afford the application fees, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. You must demonstrate that you cannot pay after covering essential living costs (housing, food, heating, children's needs). Fee waivers are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and you will need to provide evidence of your financial circumstances.
How to Apply for Private Life Route Visa UK
All private life applications must be submitted from within the UK using the appropriate application form. The specific form depends on your application type:
- FLR(FP): For initial applications and extensions for leave to remain based on family or private life
- Child Settlement (online): For UK-born children applying for immediate ILR with 7 years residence
- SET(O): For adult ILR applications after completing the qualifying period
- Complete online application on gov.uk
- Pay application fee (£1,321) and IHS
- Upload supporting documents (residence evidence for entire qualifying period)
- Attend biometric appointment
- Wait for decision (standard: up to 24 weeks)
Private Life Visa UK Processing Time
Standard processing for private life applications can take up to 24 weeks (approximately 6 months). Priority service (£500 extra) provides a decision within 5 working days, and Super Priority (£1,000 extra) aims for a next working day decision. Processing times may vary based on case complexity and current Home Office workloads.
During the processing period, applicants benefit from "Section 3C leave" which extends their existing permission until a decision is made, provided the application was submitted before the previous leave expired. For more information on processing expectations, see our guide on UK visa delays.
Evidence Requirements for Private Life Applications
Strong documentary evidence is crucial for private life applications. You should provide:
- Proof of residence: Utility bills, council tax statements, tenancy agreements, bank statements covering the entire qualifying period
- Identity documents: Valid passport, birth certificate, national identity card
- Integration evidence: School records, employment letters, GP registration, community involvement
- Travel history: Evidence of absences from the UK (passport stamps, flight records)
- Obstacles evidence (if applicable): Medical reports, country expert reports, evidence of lack of connections abroad
For detailed guidance on the official requirements, visit the gov.uk ILR private life page and the Home Office Private Life caseworker guidance.
- Applications must be made from within the UK using FLR(FP) or relevant settlement form
- Application fee is £1,321 (FLR) or £3,029 (ILR), plus IHS
- Processing takes up to 24 weeks standard, or faster with Priority/Super Priority
- Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford application costs
- After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the private life route visa UK?
The private life route visa UK is an immigration pathway under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules that allows individuals to remain in the UK based on the life they have established here. It applies to children with 7+ years residence, young adults (18-24) who have spent half their life in the UK, adults with 20+ years residence, and those facing very significant obstacles to reintegration abroad. It leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain through either a 5-year or 10-year route.
What are the 7 year child private life route to ILR requirements?
Children under 18 must have lived continuously in the UK for at least 7 years, and it must be unreasonable to expect them to leave. UK-born children meeting these requirements can apply directly for ILR (immediate settlement). Non-UK-born children are granted 5 years leave initially and can apply for ILR after completing this period. The Home Office assesses reasonableness based on the child's education, integration, social ties, and best interests.
How much does a private life route application cost?
The FLR(FP) application fee for leave to remain is £1,321 per person (as of April 2025). The ILR settlement fee is £3,029. Additionally, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year for adults (£2,587.50 for 30 months) or £776 per year for children under 18 (£1,940 for 30 months). Priority service adds £500 and Super Priority adds £1,000. Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the costs.
What is the difference between the 5-year and 10-year private life route?
The 5-year route applies to children under 18 with 7 years residence and young adults (18-24) who have spent half their life in the UK—they receive 5 years leave initially and can apply for ILR after this period. The 10-year route applies to adults with 20 years residence or those with "very significant obstacles" to reintegration—they receive 30-month grants and must renew multiple times before qualifying for ILR after 10 years total.
What are "very significant obstacles" to integration?
"Very significant obstacles" is a high threshold meaning more than inconvenience or economic hardship. Relevant factors include: inability to speak the language of your home country, complete lack of family or social connections abroad, serious medical conditions requiring UK treatment, and risks of persecution or discrimination based on faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political views. The Home Office assesses these factors individually and cumulatively.
How long does private life visa UK processing take?
Standard processing for private life applications can take up to 24 weeks (approximately 6 months). Priority service (£500 extra) provides a decision within 5 working days. Super Priority service (£1,000 extra) aims for a decision by the next working day. Processing times may be longer for complex cases or when additional evidence is requested. During processing, Section 3C leave extends your existing permission.
Can I apply for the private life route from outside the UK?
No, all private life route applications must be made from within the UK. You cannot apply for a private life visa from overseas. The route is specifically designed for individuals who have already established their life in the UK and are seeking to regularise or extend their status. If you leave the UK before a decision is made on your application, it may be withdrawn.
What happens after I get ILR on the private life route?
After receiving ILR, you can live, work, and study in the UK without immigration restrictions. You can access public funds if eligible. After holding ILR for 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship through naturalisation, provided you meet the residence, good character, and knowledge of life in the UK requirements. ILR can lapse if you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK, so maintain your ties if you plan to retain your settlement status.