Status
Current leave as a parent
You must hold valid permission as a parent under Appendix FM on the date you apply.
- On the 5-year parent route
- No gaps in permission (we’ll check dates)
Indefinite Leave to Remain • Parent Route (Appendix FM)
Parent Route ILR — settle in the UK after 5 years
We confirm eligibility on the 5-year parent route, evidence parental responsibility and your child’s UK residence, check KoLL (Life in the UK + English) and suitability, and file a clean, decision-ready ILR application.
Eligibility at a glance — Parent Route (ILR)
We check each requirement against your history and documents before filing your ILR application.
Residence
60 months on the parent route
Usually 2.5 + 2.5 years of qualifying leave as a parent in the UK.
- We confirm qualifying start/end dates
- Explain and evidence any breaks
Child
Eligible child in the UK
Your child is British or settled, or has lived in the UK for 7+ years and it would not be reasonable for them to leave.
- Child normally resident in the UK
- Evidence: passports/BRP, birth certs, school letters
Care & access
Parental responsibility / direct access
You have parental responsibility or direct access (in person) and are taking an active role in the child’s upbringing.
- Court order, consent letter, or arrangements evidence
- Ongoing involvement shown across the period
Support
Maintenance & accommodation
We confirm that you meet the relevant adequate maintenance and accommodation rules for the parent route.
- Income, savings, or benefits evidence
- Tenancy/ownership and overcrowding checks
KoLL
Life in the UK & English (B1)
Most adult applicants must pass the Life in the UK test and show English at B1 (or be exempt).
- Approved SELT or accepted degree route
- Age/medical exemptions assessed
Suitability
General grounds
Standard checks on criminality, deception, NHS debts, and compliance with conditions.
- Full disclosure & mitigation where relevant
Documents you’ll usually need
We’ll give you a tailored checklist and assemble a clean, indexed PDF bundle for upload.
Identity & status
- Current & previous passports (if available)
- BRP/eVisa; previous grants as a parent under Appendix FM
- Any Home Office correspondence or reference numbers
Child’s status & residence
- Child’s passport/BRP and birth certificate
- Proof child is British/settled or 7+ years in UK (school letters, GP letters, council records)
- Evidence child normally lives in the UK
Parental role
- Parental responsibility evidence (birth cert naming you, PR agreement, or court order)
- Direct access & active involvement: contact schedule, messages, photos, school/health updates
- Consent letter from the other parent (where appropriate)
Support
- Adequate maintenance: income, savings, benefits letters (where applicable)
- Bank statements corroborating income/support
- Accommodation: tenancy/mortgage, council tax; overcrowding checks
KoLL
- Life in the UK test reference number
- English at B1 (SELT) or accepted degree/ECCTIS confirmation
- Exemption evidence (age/medical) if relevant
Other
- Explanations for gaps, address/name changes
- Letters from school/GP/social worker evidencing involvement
- Translations for non-English documents
Tip: Spread evidence across the full 60-month period and from multiple sources. We’ll provide templates and a document index so your case is easy for UKVI to verify.
How your Parent Route ILR application runs
Clear steps from qualifying date to decision — we prepare and file on time.
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Step 1
Qualifying date & status check
Confirm 60 months on the parent route, valid permission at the date of application, and no gaps in leave.
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Step 2
Child & care evidence
Verify the child’s status/residence (British/settled or 7+ years in the UK) and show parental responsibility or direct, in-person access and active involvement.
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Step 3
Maintenance & accommodation
Confirm adequate maintenance and suitable accommodation, with bank statements and tenancy/mortgage evidence where applicable.
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Step 4
KoLL readiness
Check Life in the UK pass reference and English at B1 (or exemption) so nothing delays filing.
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Step 5
Forms, biometrics & decision
Complete the correct ILR form, draft submissions, arrange UKVCAS biometrics/ID, monitor the case and advise on your eVisa/BRP and next steps.
Fees & processing times (Parent Route ILR)
Current Home Office fees and typical decision timelines. Priority services may be available at checkout.
Application fee
Indefinite Leave to Remain
£3,029
Per applicant (main or dependant). Biometrics/ID verification required.
KoLL
Life in the UK Test
£50
Book at an approved test centre; keep your reference number for the application.
Priority
Faster decision (where available)
Priority: +£500
Super Priority: +£1,000
Priority aims for ~5 working days; Super Priority aims for next working day after biometrics.
Timelines
Typical processing time
Standard: usually within ~6 months
Avoid travel outside the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man while your in-country ILR is pending.
IHS: ILR applications do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge. We’ll confirm all fees and any priority availability before filing.
Ready to submit your Parent Route ILR?
We’ll confirm eligibility, checklist your evidence, and file a decision-ready application.