Family & Private Life — protect your life built in the UK
We assess your eligibility under Appendix Private Life and Appendix FM (Article 8 ECHR), gather evidence of your UK life and best interests of any children, and file a clean, on-time application to keep your rights protected.
At-a-glance
Apply before expiry (Section 3C) Article 8 ECHR (family/private life) 10-year route to settlement Adequate maintenance Best interests of children
The Family & Private Life route protects people whose removal would disproportionately impact their UK family/private life. It’s usually a 10-year path to settlement and requires careful evidence of your ties and circumstances.
Who may qualify
- Partner/Parent route (10-year): where you can’t meet all rules for the 5-year route but removal would be unjustifiably harsh.
- Child resident 7+ years: a parent applying on the basis that it’s not reasonable for the child to leave the UK.
- Young person 18–24: lived at least half their life in the UK and faces very significant obstacles abroad.
- Private life residence: long residence in the UK with very significant obstacles to integration in the country of return.
- Other exceptional or compassionate factors engaging Article 8.
We’ll confirm the exact paragraph of Appendix Private Life/FM that fits your circumstances.
Evidence & process
- Relationships & residence: partner/child ties, cohabitation, schooling, community links, medical or care needs.
- Best interests of children: education, health, stability and support network in the UK.
- Adequate maintenance: income and essential outgoings showing you can support your household without public funds (where applicable).
- Apply before expiry: valid in-time applications keep your rights protected under Section 3C.
- Biometrics/ID & uploads: UKVCAS or app (where eligible) with a clear, indexed evidence bundle.
We structure a concise Article 8 cover letter and bundle your exhibits so the caseworker can follow the story fast.
Who may qualify — pathways
- Partner/Parent on 10-year route: you can’t meet all requirements for the 5-year route but removal would be unjustifiably harsh for your family life.
- Child resident 7+ years: a parent applying where it’s not reasonable for the child to leave the UK.
- Young person 18–24: has lived at least half their life in the UK and would face very significant obstacles abroad.
- Private life residence: long UK residence with very significant obstacles to integration in the country of return.
- Exceptional/compassionate factors: serious health, care, or safeguarding needs engaging Article 8 ECHR.
Apply before expiry to keep protection under Section 3C while a decision is made.
How we evidence your case
- Relationships & ties: partner/child documents, cohabitation, shared bills, photos, travel records, statements.
- Residence timeline: continuous UK presence (tenancy, council tax, GP/NHS, school records, HMRC letters).
- Best interests of children: school reports, attendance, SEN/EHCP, GP letters, statements from teachers/guardians.
- Obstacles abroad: language/cultural barriers, lack of network/housing, healthcare access, country evidence; why relocation would be very significant.
- Adequate maintenance: income vs essential outgoings to show you can support your household without public funds (where applicable).
We draft a concise Article 8 cover letter and index exhibits so the caseworker can follow the facts quickly.
Documents checklist (tailored to your path)
Identity & status
- Passport(s), BRP/eVisa printout
- Previous visas/immigration history (if requested)
Relationships & residence
- Birth/marriage certificates, parental responsibility orders/agreements
- Cohabitation and address proof (council tax, utilities, tenancy/mortgage)
- School, GP/NHS letters confirming residence and involvement
Best interests & obstacles
- School reports, SEN/EHCP, safeguarding/GP letters
- Evidence of support network in the UK and lack of it abroad
- Country information relevant to medical/educational needs
Finances (if applicable)
- Income, rent, utilities, childcare, and essential spending
- Bank statements (recent 3–6 months)
Translations
- Certified translations for any non-English/Welsh documents
Uploads & biometrics
- Apply online → pay fee/IHS → upload indexed PDF bundle
- UKVCAS appointment or ID Check app (where eligible)
Fees, IHS & decision times
We’ll confirm exact totals in your UKVI account before submission — fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) are reviewed periodically.
| Item | What to expect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Office application fee | Paid online during your application | Applies per applicant (main applicant and each dependant). |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Charged per year of leave | Paid up-front for the visa duration. Children pay a reduced rate. |
| UKVCAS / biometrics | Standard centres included | Optional premium appointments (priority, scanning, courier) may cost extra. |
| Priority / Super Priority | Optional service (if available) | Availability varies by location. Faster decision times after biometrics or ID check. |
Decision times
- Standard service: decisions typically take several weeks once biometrics are completed.
- Priority options: may shorten waiting time but depend on capacity and eligibility.
- We’ll monitor your application and respond to any further information requests immediately.
Good to know
- Apply before your current leave expires to maintain Section 3C protection.
- Dependants each pay their own fee and IHS, if included in your application.
- If affordability is a concern, we’ll assess whether a Fee Waiver may apply under family/private life rules.
FAQs
Do I have to meet the same rules as the 5-year partner route?
No. The 10-year route considers family/private life under Article 8 and best-interests factors. It’s used where the strict 5-year rules (e.g., financial/English) can’t be met but removal would be disproportionate.
How long until I can apply for ILR on this route?
Usually after 10 continuous years on the relevant family/private life permission (subject to suitability and absence limits). Time on 5-year and 10-year routes generally doesn’t combine.
Can I switch later to the 5-year route?
Often yes, if you later meet all the 5-year requirements (e.g., financial/English for partners). We’ll review whether switching shortens your path to settlement.
Will I keep my rights while waiting for a decision?
If you apply before your current leave expires, Section 3C usually extends your existing conditions until a decision is made.
What if I can’t afford the fees or IHS?
Ask us about a Fee Waiver. You’ll need to evidence genuine financial hardship. If approved, you can submit the LTR without paying the waived amounts.
What evidence helps most?
Clear proof of UK residence and ties (housing, school/GP records), best-interests evidence for children, and a concise explanation of any very significant obstacles to life abroad.
Do I need an English test for this route?
Requirements vary by sub-pathway and stage. We’ll confirm what applies now and what you’ll need at settlement.
Make your Family & Private Life application decision-ready
We’ll map your exact pathway, structure a clear Article 8 case with best-interests analysis, and file your application on time to protect your status.