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.
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.