ILR for a Child Born and Lived in the UK for 7 Continuous Years

A child born in the UK who has lived here for 7 continuous years can apply straight for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under paragraphs PL 13.1 to 13.3 of Appendix Private Life. No visa or limited permission is needed first. The child must be under 18 when the application is made, and the Home Office must accept that it would not be reasonable to expect them to leave the UK.

This is one of the most valuable rules in UK immigration law for families without settled status. Many parents assume their UK-born child must wait years longer. In most cases, that is wrong. For an overview of every route, see our 7-year child route guide.

Table of Contents

Is a child born in the UK automatically British?

No. A child born in the UK is only British at birth if a parent was British or settled when the child was born. If neither parent had British citizenship or ILR at the birth, the child has no UK status and needs to apply.

• A UK birth certificate does not prove British citizenship on its own.
• A child born to parents on visas, or without status, is not British at birth.
• Such a child may later register as British. See British citizenship after 7 year child ILR.

Can a UK-born child get ILR after 7 years?

Yes. Under paragraphs PL 13.1 to 13.3 of Appendix Private Life, a UK-born child with 7 years' continuous residence since birth can be granted settlement directly. The application must still meet every requirement.

The child must show:

• They were born in the UK
• They have lived here continuously since birth
• They had at least 7 years' continuous residence on the date of application
• They are under 18 on the date of application
• It would not be reasonable to expect them to leave the UK
• They meet the suitability requirements

The full checklist of rules is on our requirements page.

Why does being born in the UK make such a difference?

A UK-born child skips the 5-year probation stage that applies to a child born abroad. A child born abroad gets 30 or 60 months' permission first and only reaches ILR after 5 continuous years with permission.

UK-born child:

• First grant: ILR
• Time to settlement: immediate
• Home Office fee: £3,226 (ILR)
• Health surcharge: none
• Fee waiver: not available for ILR

Child born abroad:

• First grant: 30 or 60 months' permission
• Time to settlement: 5 more years with permission
• Home Office fee: £1,407 now, then £3,226 at ILR
• Health surcharge: £776 per year while on permission
• Fee waiver: available for permission to stay

For many families, the UK-born route saves years of cost and uncertainty. Compare it with our child born abroad page.

Does continuous residence since birth have special rules?

Yes. The residence must run unbroken from birth to the date of application. Paragraph PL 15A.3 sets out what breaks it for a UK-born child applying for ILR.

Continuous residence breaks if the child:

• Was outside the UK for more than 6 months at one time
• Spent 550 days or more outside the UK in total
• Was removed or deported, or left after a refused application

A long stay abroad as a baby, for example 8 months with grandparents, can break residence even if the child returned. Check this first on our continuous residence page.

Does the reasonableness test still apply to UK-born children?

Yes. Being born in the UK does not remove the reasonableness test, but it strengthens the child's case. The Home Office looks at the child's real circumstances, including the fact that the UK is the only country they have known.

Factors that often carry weight for a UK-born child:

• They have never lived in, and may never have visited, the parents' country
• English is their first or only fluent language
• Their entire education has been in the UK
• Their friendships, health care and community are all here

The parents' immigration history can be relevant, but it should not outweigh the child's own circumstances. See the reasonableness test.

What evidence proves a UK-born child's 7 years?

The evidence should cover every year from birth to the application date. Gaps are the most common reason residence is questioned.

• Full UK birth certificate showing both parents
• Red Book (personal child health record) and vaccination history
• GP registration and medical records from birth
• Nursery, pre-school and school records, reports and attendance
• Letters from teachers, health visitors or other professionals
• Passport and travel history, if the child has one

Our documents checklist lists everything in order.

Do UK-born children need an English test or Life in the UK test?

No. A child under 18 on the date of an ILR application is exempt from both. This is another reason to apply before the 18th birthday.

How much does ILR cost for a UK-born child?

The Home Office fee for ILR is £3,226 per applicant, in force since 8 April 2026. There is no Immigration Health Surcharge at settlement stage. There is no fee waiver for ILR, so families must budget for the full fee. See application fees.

What happens after the child gets ILR?

The child becomes settled, holds status as an eVisa, and opens the door to British citizenship. A UK-born child with ILR can often register as British.

• If a parent later becomes settled or British, the child may be entitled to register under section 1(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981.
• After living in the UK for their first 10 years, the child may be entitled to register under section 1(4), whatever the parents' status.
• The registration fee is £1,000 per child from 8 April 2026.

Read more on British citizenship after ILR.

Can parents stay if their UK-born child gets ILR?

A parent can rely on a settled child to apply under Appendix FM as a parent, or on Article 8. A child with ILR is settled, which can strengthen the parent's case. See can parents stay.

Is your UK-born child eligible for ILR after 7 years?

If your child was born in the UK and has lived here continuously for 7 years, they may be eligible to apply directly for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

Speak to **Moeen & Co. Solicitors** for expert immigration advice. Call us today on 0203 959 7755 to discuss your child's eligibility and understand the available options.

Frequently asked questions