At First Law Solicitors, we assist parents who have built their lives around their children in the United Kingdom to secure Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Parent Route of Appendix FM.
This application recognises that the welfare of a child who is British or settled in the UK is a paramount legal consideration and that family life must be preserved wherever possible.
Our solicitors provide structured, evidence-based guidance that blends technical expertise with compassion, ensuring every ILR application reflects both the legal and human dimensions of parenthood.
The Parent Route under Appendix FM allows a parent to remain permanently in the United Kingdom on the basis of their relationship and ongoing responsibility for a child who is either:
This route recognises the importance of the child’s stability and ensures that genuine parental care is protected through a direct path to permanent residency.
Unlike economic or work-based settlement, this route is exempt from the 10-year Earned Settlement baseline introduced in 2025. It remains governed by the principles of Article 8 ECHR, which protect family and private life.
To qualify for ILR as the parent of a child, you must demonstrate that:
1. You Have Completed Five Years on the Parent Route
Applicants must show five years of continuous residence under Appendix FM.
Absences from the UK are not subject to the strict 180-day rule applied to economic routes, but DUAA systems will flag extensive travel for review.
The Home Office will assess whether the UK is your primary home and whether you have continued to play an active role in your child’s upbringing.
2. The Child’s Status Qualifies
The child must be a British citizen or have settled status.
If the child is neither, a seven-year residence test may apply, where it must be shown that removal would not be reasonable given the child’s welfare and integration.
3. You Share or Hold Parental Responsibility
You must have direct responsibility for the child, either as a sole or shared carer.
This can include having parental responsibility under a court order or demonstrating daily involvement in the child’s care, schooling, and medical or emotional support.
4. Financial Maintenance Requirement
There is no fixed minimum income threshold for this route. Instead, you must prove that the child will be adequately maintained and accommodated in the United Kingdom without recourse to public funds.
Our solicitors prepare detailed financial evidence and statements that meet the Appendix FM-SE evidential standards while addressing DUAA-verified data consistency checks.
5. English Language and Life in the UK
Applicants must meet CEFR Level B1 English proficiency and pass the Life in the UK Test, both digitally verified under the DUAA framework.
From 1 January 2026, all ILR applications under the Parent Route are processed digitally via the UKVI account system.
Physical Biometric Residence Permits are now retired, with immigration status stored securely as an eVisa.
The Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA) allows the Home Office to automatically verify:
Our solicitors ensure all documentary evidence matches DUAA-verified data before submission.
All files are authenticated using Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) to comply with 2026 digital evidence standards.
Parental involvement is a key factor in ILR applications under this route. The Home Office expects to see tangible evidence of your day-to-day role in the child’s life.
We prepare evidence portfolios that include:
Each piece of evidence is cross-verified for authenticity and consistency under DUAA standards before digital upload.
We are regularly instructed in complex family cases, including:
In each case, we prepare detailed legal representations that link the evidence directly to the child’s welfare, ensuring compliance with Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, the statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the UK.
Once ILR is granted, the next step is often to apply for British citizenship.
Children born in the UK to parents who gain ILR automatically become eligible for registration, and parents may apply for naturalisation once they meet the residence and good character criteria.
Our solicitors manage this transition seamlessly, ensuring the digital data continuity between ILR and citizenship under the DUAA system.
Child-Centred Legal Strategy
We prioritise the child’s welfare in every submission, ensuring the evidence is structured to meet both legal and moral standards.
Technical Precision under DUAA
Our applications are prepared and verified through DUAA-compliant systems, ensuring full alignment with Home Office digital verification processes.
Senior Solicitor Oversight
Each case is handled by an experienced immigration solicitor specialising in family-based ILR applications.
Long-Term Stability Planning
We prepare clients not only for ILR but for the future transition to citizenship and family reunification where applicable.
If you are a parent of a British or settled child and are ready to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, contact First Law Solicitors today.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a confidential consultation with an immigration solicitor.
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