Private and Family Life applications are wide ranging and encompass a wide variety of applications. They include straightforward applications to enter or stay in the UK as a partner or parent but also act as a ‘catch-all’ application for those with no other route to remain in the UK.
If you’re looking to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of your family relationships or life in the UK then you’re making a Private and Family Life application.
Partners of British citizens or those with settled or refugee status could apply. Likewise, parents of British citizen children or of children who have lived in the UK for at least 7-years could apply. They will need to meet the requirements of Appendix FM. We have more detailed advice here.
Those who have lived in the UK for 20 years can make a Private Life application for limited leave to remain on a 10-year route to settlement. You will not be able to apply for settlement at this time, you can only apply to settle after holding valid leave for a continuous period of 10 years. Your 20 years of residence simply enables an application for limited leave to remain based on your private life.
Those under the age of 25 who have lived in the UK for most of their life could apply on the basis of their ‘half-life’ in the UK. This is also a Private Life application and should have good prospects of success if well evidenced. These people will likely be issued leave to remain on the 5-year route to settlement.
If a person faces very significant obstacles to their integration into their home country, due to ethnic, financial, linguistic or any other reasons, then they too can apply for limited leave to remain. This is the ‘catch-all’ application and often a last resort for those looking to remain in the UK. Despite this, it is an application under the immigration rules and a well prepared application can have good prospects of success. These applications are always fact specific. A French national is likely to find it harder to evidence very significant obstacles than a Lebanese national and both will have a harder time than an Eritrean or Chadian.
Like all other routes, applications are completed and submitted online. If you’re in the UK, you can apply for a fee waiver if you can show that you will be destitute if required to pay the fees.
Decision times can often exceed 12 months so don’t expect quick decisions.
If you are refused, you should be able to appeal to the Immigration Tribunal.
Chambers & Partners 2024"Joel Reiss understands our requirements and answered all my questions. He provides detailed written advice, including with advice on how to move forward and what would be the consequences of each option. He gives comprehensive advice."
Our expert solicitors can use their experience and knowledge of these cases to help you prepare the strongest possible application. All cases are different and fact specific but our experience will highlight which aspects of your case need to be strengthened with good evidence and which should be the focus.
Latitude Law has years of experience preparing successful applications focusing on family and private life matters. We have assisted clients who have little documentary evidence, clients who are desperate not to be returned to their home countries and clients who simply wish to continue living with their family, friends and communities.
Our extensive knowledge of the Immigration Rules, and experience with the Home Office and Tribunal judges, means we can provide timely and pragmatic advice whilst meeting our clients’ needs. We can advise you on the prospects of your case and how to make it as strong as possible.
Choosing a solicitor is a big decision so we ensure that you are at the heart of everything we do. We are a highly driven team that is dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice.
We are pleased to be recognised as a leading law firm by the following independent bodies: The Times Best Law Firms 2024, Chambers & Partners 2024, Legal 500 2024 and Who'sWhoLegal 2024. These endorsements from the international legal directories demonstrate our integrity and success in dealing with difficult cases. We are also proud of our 5-star Google reviews from over 150 satisfied clients.
As the requirements for Private and Family Life applications are extremely complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before proceeding. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that your supporting documentation is compliant with the very latest immigration rules.
The UK government believes that family should stay together wherever possible, which is why they offer visas for family members of British citizens or migrants who are settled in the UK. There are a variety of circumstances in which you can apply to join family members.
A Partner Visa, also known as a UK Marriage Visa or a Spouse Visa, is a type of settlement visa that provides the romantic partner of a (settled) UK resident with the opportunity to come to the UK to be with their loved one. The initial visa is usually for two and a half years, which can then be extended by another two and a half years so that the settlement target of five years can be reached.
A Settlement visa - also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain - can only be applied for once a person qualifies, usually after a set period of residence in a visa category that leads to settlement. In most instances, settlement is obtained once a person has resided in the UK for five years.
