Our Work | Private Life

We are acknowledged by the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession for our exceptional talent on Human Rights issues.

You may be able to make an application to remain in the UK on the basis of your family and private life. You may be allowed to stay in the UK if:

• You are less than 18 years old and have lived in the UK for at least 7 years and it is not reasonable to expect you to leave the UK. If you were born in the UK and have lived here for at least 7 years, under recent changes to the Immigration Rules you may now apply directly for indefinite leave to remain (‘ILR’).
• You are a young person between 18 and 25 years old, and have lived in the UK for more than half of your life.
• You are more than 25 years old and have lived in the UK continuously for more than 20 years.
• You are more than 18 years old and there are very significant obstacles to returning to your country of origin.

These applications can be complex and difficult to evidence. We regularly assist clients with private life applications and can advise and assist you to make the strongest application possible.

If your application is successful, depending on your circumstances you will be granted limited leave to remain in the UK for a period of either 30 or 60 months.

Once you have been in the UK with continuous leave on the grounds of private life for a period of at least 120 months, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain on the grounds of private life. Young adults aged between 18 and 25 years old who have spent more than half of their lives in the United Kingdom may now be able to apply for ILR after just five years – see our blog post on new ILR concession for young adults.

“I’m in shock! I honestly didn’t even completely believe it would ever happen. Thank you so much.” – Client

“I am incredibly grateful for what you have managed on my behalf. I feel like you have saved my life, hopes and dreams.” – Client