Successful Indefinite Leave to Remain Application on the Private Life Route
22.08.2025
Co-author: Michael Carter.
We are delighted to share the success of a recent Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application, granted under the Private Life route in the UK.
Our client first arrived in the UK as a child student and has continuously resided in the country ever since. Over the years, he has established deep personal, social, and cultural ties to the UK, making it his home in every sense.
Later, he was granted leave to remain under the Private Life route, which allows individuals who have lived in the UK for a significant period to apply for settlement. Since then, he has continuously held lawful residence in the UK for more than five years.
At the time of his last grant of leave, he met the Half-Life Test, one of the crucial requirements under the Private Life route.
Understanding the Half-Life Test
The Half-Life Test is a key requirement for applicants applying for ILR under the Private Life route, particularly for those who arrived in the UK as children. To meet this test, applicants must be aged between 18 and under 25 and demonstrate that they have spent at least half of their life in the UK, showing strong and enduring connections to the country. This test reflects the Home Office’s recognition of long-term residence and integration as critical factors in granting settlement.
Successfully meeting the Half-Life Test shows that the applicant’s formative years, education, and social development have been primarily in the UK, making it their home.
In addition to meeting the residency requirement, our client successfully passed the Life in the UK Test and an approved Secure English Language Test, fulfilling all other statutory requirements for ILR. The Life in the UK Test evaluates an applicant’s knowledge of British history, culture, and society, while the English language requirement ensures effective communication and integration.
Following meticulous preparation and submission of comprehensive evidence, the Home Office approved his application. The grant of ILR now secures his future in the UK, providing him with stability and the opportunity to pursue citizenship in due course.
We are especially proud that this complex case was handled by our brilliant colleagues, Oksana Demyanchuk and Michael Carter, whose professionalism, dedication, and expertise ensured a smooth and successful process.
This case demonstrates how the Private Life route provides a vital pathway to settlement for individuals who have made the UK their permanent home. It highlights the importance of meeting the residency and integration requirements, including the Half-Life Test (for applicants aged 18 to under 25), Life in the UK Test, and English language proficiency, to secure long-term residence in the UK.
If you are considering an application under the Private Life route or seeking guidance on settlement in the UK, our team of experts can provide tailored support to help you navigate the process successfully.
