Private Family Life Applications
based on your established life and relationships in the UK
Private family life applications may be available to people
relying on their UK residence, relationships with a partner,
parent or child, or circumstances connected to their established
private and family life in the United Kingdom.
Residence dates, family relationships, immigration records and supporting evidence should form one consistent account.
Route Overview
How private family life applications
assess an established life in the UK
Private family life applications require the correct legal
route to be identified from the applicant’s age, residence
history, family relationships, immigration position and the
circumstances relied on.
A private-life application may rely on continuous UK residence,
upbringing in the United Kingdom or very significant obstacles
to integration in the country of return.
A family-life application may instead focus on a qualifying
relationship with a partner, parent or child and whether refusal
would cause unjustifiably harsh consequences when Article 8 and
exceptional circumstances are considered.
Confirm the applicant’s current immigration position
Prepare a complete UK residence and family chronology
Build one complete residence and family chronology
Dates, addresses, relationships, immigration records and supporting documents should agree.
Route Snapshot
Private life eligibility categories
These categories provide an initial overview of the private life route. Family life and exceptional-circumstances applications require a separate assessment of the relationships and facts relied on.
01
Child with seven years’ residence
A child under 18 may qualify after at least seven years’ continuous residence where it would be unreasonable to expect the child to leave the UK.
02
Young adult raised in the UK
A person aged 18 to 24 may qualify where they have lived continuously in the UK for more than half of their life.
03
Twenty years’ continuous residence
An adult may qualify after living continuously in the UK for at least 20 years, subject to the complete route requirements.
04
Very significant obstacles
An adult with less than 20 years’ residence may qualify where there would be very significant obstacles to integration in the country of return.
Important Route Check
Private life or family life application?
Private life applications focus on the applicant’s residence, upbringing and integration in the United Kingdom.
Family life applications focus on relationships with a partner, parent or child and may require an assessment of exceptional circumstances under Article 8.
Private family life applications
eligibility areas
Eligibility depends on the applicant’s age, continuous UK
residence, family relationships, current immigration position,
previous history and the specific private-life, family-life or
Article 8 basis relied on.
01
Child with established UK residence
A child under 18 may have a private life basis after at least seven years’ continuous UK residence where it would be unreasonable to expect the child to leave.
Review residence, education and welfare evidence
02
Young adult who grew up in the UK
A person aged 18 to 24 may have a private life basis where they have lived continuously in the UK for more than half of their life.
Confirm age and the complete residence chronology
03
Adult private life grounds
An adult may rely on 20 years’ continuous residence or, with a shorter period, very significant obstacles to integration in the country of return.
Explain residence and obstacles with evidence
04
Family life and exceptional circumstances
A partner, parent or child relationship may require consideration under the family rules and Article 8, including the impact of refusal on the family.
Identify the relationship and practical impact
Main Requirements
Private family life applications
requirements to consider together
The application should identify the legal basis relied on and
present a complete, evidence-based account of the applicant’s
UK residence, family relationships and personal circumstances.
The precise assessment will depend on the private-life category,
relevant family relationships, immigration history, suitability
considerations and any exceptional circumstances raised.
01
UK residence and private life
The applicant’s age, arrival date, continuous residence, education, work, community ties and wider life in the UK should be presented accurately.
ReviewDates, addresses, absences and UK activities
02
Family relationships
Where family life is relied on, the application should explain the relationship, contact, care, dependency and the practical effect of separation.
ReviewPartner, parent, child and dependency evidence
03
Obstacles and exceptional circumstances
Any very significant obstacles, welfare concerns or consequences said to make refusal unjustifiably harsh should be explained with specific evidence.
ReviewCountry conditions, personal needs and family impact
04
Immigration history and suitability
Previous applications, decisions, periods without permission, criminal matters and other relevant history should be disclosed and reviewed.
ReviewApplications, decisions, status and suitability
The correct assessment depends on the individual facts
Age, length and lawfulness of residence, family relationships, previous decisions, welfare considerations and the evidence available can affect the route and outcome.
Supporting Evidence
Private family life applications evidence
for one consistent personal history
Supporting documents should establish identity, UK residence,
immigration history, family relationships, care arrangements
and the personal or exceptional circumstances relied on.
Check the chronology before submissionNames, dates, addresses and financial information should agree across the evidence.
Evidence Groups
Organise documents by purpose
The documents required depend on the legal basis and individual circumstances. These groups provide a practical starting structure.
01
Identity and immigration history
Confirm the applicant’s identity, nationality, current status and previous immigration history.
Current and previous passports or identity records
Evidence of current or previous immigration status
Applications, decisions and relevant correspondence
02
UK residence and private life
Build a reliable chronology of residence and the applicant’s established life in the United Kingdom.
Tenancy, council, utility or official address records
Education, employment, healthcare or tax records
Evidence explaining absences and changes of address
03
Family relationships and care
Explain the relationships relied on and how family members share care, responsibility, contact or dependency.
Birth, marriage or civil partnership records where relevant
Evidence of contact, care and shared responsibility
Statements and records showing practical family life
04
Obstacles and exceptional circumstances
Support the claimed impact of return or separation with evidence specific to the applicant and family.
Medical, educational or welfare evidence where relevant
Evidence concerning needs, dependency or country circumstances
Records showing the likely effect on affected family members
Review translations and document quality
Evidence should be complete and readable. Documents not in English or Welsh may require an appropriate certified translation.
Application Process
Prepare the private or family life case
before submitting the application
A structured process helps keep the legal basis, online form,
residence chronology, family information and supporting
documents consistent throughout the application.
Review the applicant’s age, UK residence, family relationships, current immigration position, previous decisions and the facts relied on.
02
Chronology and Evidence
Prepare the residence and family history
Create a clear chronology covering arrival, addresses, absences, immigration events, family relationships and the development of private life in the UK.
03
Online Submission
Complete and submit the application
Check the form, declarations and supporting documents together
before submitting the online application and completing the
required payment or, where eligible, the fee-waiver process.
04
Identity Stage
Upload documents and complete identity checks
Follow the instructions issued after submission, including providing supporting evidence and biometric information where required.
05
Decision
Keep the record and review the outcome
Retain copies of the form, evidence and correspondence. When the decision is received, review the reasons, conditions and any practical next steps.
Follow the instructions issued for the individual application
Document-upload arrangements, biometric requirements and any request for further information can depend on the application and applicant’s circumstances.
Common Questions
Private family life applications
frequently asked questions
General answers about applying from within the UK, children
with seven years’ residence, young adults, adult private-life
grounds, family relationships and the process after submission.
Individual Circumstances
Need a more specific review?
Prepare a short summary of the UK residence history, current status, family relationships, previous applications and the basis you may rely on.
No. The private life route is for a person who is already living in the United Kingdom. The applicant’s current position should be reviewed before the application is started.
No. A child under 18 must also show that it would be unreasonable to expect them to leave the UK. The child’s circumstances, welfare, education and family position should be considered.
A person aged 18 to 24 may qualify where they have lived continuously in the UK for more than half of their life. The complete residence chronology and route requirements still need to be checked.
Potentially. An adult with less than 20 years’ residence may rely on very significant obstacles to integration in the country they would have to return to. The claimed obstacles need a detailed, evidence-based explanation.
A family life application focuses on relationships with a partner, parent or child and the effect of refusal on those relationships. The applicable family rules and any exceptional circumstances must be assessed.
The applicant should follow the identity, biometric and document instructions issued for the application. Any later request for information should be reviewed carefully and answered within the stated period.
Review Your Circumstances
Discuss your private family life applications case
before deciding how to proceed
Discuss the UK residence history, family relationships,
immigration position, previous applications, supporting
evidence and the legal basis that may apply before moving
forward.
