Indefinite Leave to Remain as Parent of a Child in the UK
In case you are a parent of a child who is living in the UK and you want to stay here permanently, you might be entitled to make an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR enables you to work, study, and live in the UK without any limitations, and thus, you can create a stable life for your family. At ISUK, we assist parents in obtaining settlements based on their relationship with a child residing in the UK.
In case you are a parent of a child who is living in the UK and you want to stay here permanently, you might be entitled to make an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR enables you to work, study, and live in the UK without any limitations, and thus, you can create a stable life for your family. At ISUK, we assist parents in obtaining settlements based on their relationship with a child residing in the UK.
Understanding Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Parent of a Child
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is essentially a form of permanent residency in the UK. It gives you the power to live, work, and study in the UK without any immigration restrictions. ILR as the parent of a child who is a British citizen or settled in the UK will be the long-term stability that you and your child need.
Unlike temporary visas, ILR guarantees:
- You are no longer required to apply for an extension of your stay.
- You can be employed in any field of profession or become a business owner.
- You can receive certain public services and benefits.
- You can come and go as you please (however, you must not be away from the UK for more than 2 years, or else you will lose your ILR).
If you hold an ILR status for 12 months, you are entitled to apply for British citizenship as long as you fulfill the other requirements.
ILR for parents means that no one can take away your peace of mind. You have the freedom to direct your energy at raising your child in a safe and steady place without getting stressed by continuous renewals. The Home Office always tries to find the child’s best interest, and that is usually direct presence and a parent who actively participates in their life being the main condition that will make an application successful.
ISUK can help you make a stronger case for ILR, which is your continuous involvement in your child’s life, and that giving you an ILR isin the best interest of the child.
Parents of children who are living in the UK may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if they have fulfilled a prescribed period of residence and also comply with all the requirements under the Immigration Rules. This option is available for individuals who hold limited leave as a parent, and the decision is typically made in the 5-year or 10-year family life route.
ILR frees you from the limitations on your stay and offers you and your child more flexibility and stability. That is a crucial step in obtaining long-term residency and can serve as a pathway to British citizenship.
The main features of ILR as a parent:
- You must be the parent or guardian of a British child or a child with settled status.
- You should not have the right to live with the child’s other parent, and the child must be living in the UK.
- You need to prove that you have been living as a parent here for at least 5 years (or 10 years on a longer route).
- Your application must demonstrate that you have parental responsibility and that it involves ongoing care and support.
- You must satisfy the financial, language, and residency conditions.
Real life. Your kids are the main thing that you have to prove, that you are a key figure in their life, and that they need you to be there in the UK if you want to get ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) either on the five or ten-year path. It is strongly recommended to seek legal advice.
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To get Indefinite Leave to Remain as a parent of a child resident in the UK, you have to fulfil the Home Office’s stringent conditions. These cover the areas of residence, relationship, financial sufficiency, and good character. The route may be either 5 or 10 years, depending on how you were previously granted leave.
1. Child’s Status and Location
- The child has to be a British citizen or have settled status.
- The child must be a resident of the UK and have been residing there for at least 7 years.
2. Parental Relationship
- You are the child’s biological father or mother, or you have been granted parental responsibility.
- You are not cohabiting with the child’s other parent (unless there are exceptional circumstances).
- You need to demonstrate that you have been actively involved in the child’s education and daily life.
3. Residence Requirements
- To be eligible, you must prove that you have lived lawfully in the UK for either 5 years under the parent route or 10 years if your leave was granted outside of the standard 5-year route.
- It is essential that you have not been away from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12 months during this time.
4. English Language and Life in the UK Test
- Passing the Life in the UK Test is a must.
- You must have a certificate to demonstrate that you have reached the B1 level of English, as defined by the CEFR, if you are not exempt.
5. Financial Requirements
- Unlike partner routes, the financial requirement is more flexible; however, you must still demonstrate that you can support yourself without recourse to public funds.
6. Good Character and Immigration History
- You must not have committed serious crimes or been involved in illegal immigration.
- Acceptable behavior concerning the use of the previous visa is necessary.
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ISUK is a company with extensive experience in handling UK immigration and family-based settlement routes. If you are looking to obtain ILR as the parent of a child, our solicitors, who have extensive expertise in the field, are ready to assist you.
We help you:
- Pick the type of current visa you are eligible for
- Get your ILR application ready under the 5-year or 10-year route
- Make a convincing case for your relationship with your child
- Fulfil the financial and language requirements
- Deal with difficult situations, refusals, and appeals
ISUK can attend to clients in London and various areas of the UK. Because of ISUK, you can be confident that reliable hands will handle your ILR application.
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When a parent applies for Indefinite Leave to Remain with their child in the UK, they follow a transparent and well-structured process. A summary of the process goes like this:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Decide if you are suitable for the 5-year or 10-year route. Review your immigration records, present visa, and verify whether your child meets the status requirements.
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents
Carry out a dress rehearsal and produce the following evidence:
- The status of your child’s identity is in the UK, or they have settled there
- Your parental role is active and recognized
- Your residency record
- The certificates of passing both the English language test and Life in the UK
- Evidence of financial capacity and housing
Step 3: Complete Form SET(F)
SET(F) is the proper form for making the application. It allows one to fill out the online version of the form accurately and verifiably in all respects.
Step 4: Pay the Fee and Attend Biometrics
Make a payment for the ILR application (now £2,885 in 2025). Schedule a biometric appointment at a UKVCAS centre, where you will provide fingerprints and have your photo taken.
Step 5: Upload Evidence
Please submit the original and scanned copies of all documents via the online platform or provide them in person at the scheduled appointment.
Step 6: Await a Decision
Usually, within 6 months, your case will be settled. Offering a fast and super-priority service can help you achieve the result more quickly.
Legal assistance during the journey helps you lessen mistakes and enhances the chance of success. ISUK guarantees that your application is well-made and complies with all the UKVI standards.
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Your ILR application must be accompanied by clear and up-to-date documentary evidence. Some of the necessary documents are:
- Your valid passport and BRP
- Your child’s full UK birth certificate
- Evidence of the child’s British citizenship or settled status
- Proof of your active parenting role (letters from school, GP, childcare providers)
- Proof of cohabitation or regular contact with the child
- Financial documents showing support and independence
- English language test certificate (CEFR B1)
- Life in the UK Test pass certificate
- Immigration history and any previous Home Office correspondence
Translations of non-English documents have to be authorized. At ISUK, we conduct thorough checks to ensure that your paperwork is complete and meets the requirements.
Compared to partner visa routes, there are no specific income requirements that parents must meet when applying for ILR here. That said, parents who need to provide proof of sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependents in the UK without relying on public assistance are still required.
Financial security is demonstrated by:
- Job slips and bank statements
- Proof of money coming from self-employment or business accounts
- Child maintenance payments or financial support from the child’s other parent
- Housing details and proof of accommodation
The ISUK team is here to guide you in gathering all the necessary financial documents that pertain to your case and ensuring that your paperwork complies with Home Office regulations. This also helps you avoid a refusal.
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- Applying too early — You are only allowed to apply within 28 days of the qualifying period.
- Inadequate parental evidence — Besides, not providing facts concerning active participation in your child’s life can result in refusal.
- Missing documents — Deficient application files or outdated papers are less likely to be approved.
- Inconsistent financial information — Differences between payslips or unconfirmed sources of income can raise the questions about integrity.
- Incorrect form submission — A delay or damage to your application can be caused by an unclear response or the use of the wrong form.
At ISUK, we diligently investigate your application before submitting it to prevent these costly errors.
Financial evidence is a must if you want to convince that you and your child don’t have to rely on public funds. The list of accepted documents is as follows:
- Employment-related payslips for 6 months
- Bank statements that prove salary deposits
- A letter from the employer stating the employment details
- Self-employed applicants: the last income tax return issued by HMRC (SA302), and business accounts
- Child maintenance evidence from the other parent
- The proof of accommodation: lease agreement, mortgage, or utility bills
- Any other lawful income: pensions, dividends, or rental income
The papers should be uniform, recent, and unambiguously indicate your fulfillment of financial maintenance and housing conditions. ISUK will guide you through the process of collecting a financial file that meets the requirements.
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Before you try to gain permanent residence as a parent, make sure you have chosen the correct immigration route to apply for. You are eligible for a parent visa or ILR in cases:
- Your child is below 18 years (or was below 18 when your permission to stay was granted).
- The kid is residing in the UK and is either British or has settled status.
- You do not share accommodation with the child’s other parent unless there are exceptional circumstances.
- You are actively and continuously supporting the child’s upbringing.
- You have been provided with limited leave to remain as a parent in the 5-year or 10-year route before.
- You satisfy the English language requirements and the financial maintenance conditions that have been set.
If you don’t meet all the conditions listed above, there may still be an alternative route through human rights or long-term residence. Our experts at ISUK can review your situation and determine the most suitable and easiest path for you to obtain ILR.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
At what time can I apply to get indefinite leave to remain as a parent?
Your application should be done within 28 days before you complete the qualifying residence period (5 or 10 years).
How much is the ILR application fee?
The current fee is £2,885 (this amount is subject to change by the Home Office).
Is it necessary to pass the Life in the UK Test?
If you are not exempt from it because of your age or illness, then yes.
Is there a minimum income requirement?
Even though no fixed income is specified, you must provide evidence of sufficient support.
May I add my offspring to the ILR application?
If your child is not British or settled, they must file their own application.
What would be the consequences if I fail the English test?
You must pass a language test equivalent to the CEFR B1 level and recognized as qualifying, unless you are exempt.
Will my indefinite leave to remain be changed if I travel abroad?
The answer is yes, if you are away from the UK for an extended period of time, you might lose your ILR. Do not go over 180 days of absence in each 12 months.
Can I apply if using the 10-year route?
The answer is yes, especially if the last permission you got was from situations outside those generally prescribed 5-year conditions.
Will my ILR application be rejected?
Absolutely. Situations such as a lack of paperwork, a criminal record, and non-fulfillment of the applicant criteria may lead to this.
Would you recommend hiring a solicitor?
Some professional assistance will considerably improve your chances of success.
