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.

( 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)

(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

How your Parent Route ILR application runs

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.

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.

Step 3 - Maintenance & accommodation

Confirm adequate maintenance and suitable accommodation, with bank statements and tenancy/mortgage evidence where applicable.

Step 4 - KoLL readiness

Check Life in the UK pass reference and English at B1 (or exemption) so nothing delays filing.

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.

Ready to submit your Parent Route ILR?

We’ll confirm eligibility, checklist your evidence, and file a decision-ready application.

Contact & Location

Get in Touch

We offer in-person consultations at our UK offices, available by appointment only.

Our Sheffield Office Address

422 Pitsmoor Road
Sheffield S3 9AY
United Kingdom

Other UK Offices

  • Birmingham
  • Bradford

To schedule your consultation or ask a question, please contact us:

Book your consultation today for expert guidance on all your immigration matters.

Our Sheffield Office Address:

422 Pitsmoor Road
Sheffield S3 9AY
United Kingdom

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