You may apply for an extension of your leave to remain in the UK before your current leave expires if you were granted a 30-month stay under the 7-year child residence route. This extension application must comply with the requirements outlined in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. You have the option to apply for an extension of either 30 months or 60 months.

A child born in the UK who has continuously resided in the country for seven years may be eligible for immediate settlement under this route.

Family Members of a Child Who Has Completed 7 Years of Residence

Parents and minor siblings of a qualifying child who has completed seven years of residence in the UK can apply for an extension of their leave to remain simultaneously with the child’s application. If approved, they will be granted further leave to remain for 30 months. Additionally, a child born in the UK to a parent with permission under the Private Life route may apply for leave for the same duration as their parent.

Aden & Co Solicitors is a leading UK immigration law firm, renowned for providing expert legal services in visa and immigration matters. Our team of highly skilled and experienced immigration solicitors is recognized for excellence, as reflected in our outstanding 5-star Google Reviews from 99% of our satisfied clients.

Our dedicated immigration lawyers offer prompt, professional, and fixed-fee legal assistance for extension applications under the 7-year child residence route. You can seek free initial immigration advice from our expert team online or schedule a consultation for comprehensive legal guidance on your extension of leave to remain application.

Eligibility Criteria for Extending Leave to Remain Under the 7-Year Child Residence Route

Children seeking an extension of their leave to remain in the UK under the 7-year child residence route must satisfy the legal requirements outlined in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. The following conditions must be met:

Submission of a Valid Application
The applicant must lodge a valid application for an extension of leave to remain as a child who was born outside the UK but has continuously resided in the country for at least 7 years. The application must comply with the validity requirements specified in Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.

Suitability Criteria
The application must not be subject to refusal on suitability grounds as stipulated in the Immigration Rules. Any factors leading to ineligibility under suitability provisions must be carefully assessed before submission.

Immigration Status Requirement
The applicant must currently hold leave to remain in the UK under the 7-year child residence route at the time of applying for an extension.

Assessing the Reasonableness of Expecting a Child to Leave the UK

The UK Home Office must determine whether it is reasonable to expect a child to leave the UK when assessing an immigration application. As established in AB (Jamaica) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2019] EWCA Civ 661, this assessment must be conducted independently of whether the child is actually expected to leave.

The Supreme Court ruling in KO (Nigeria) & Others [2018] UKSC 53, specifically in the case of NS (Sri Lanka), clarified that the concept of ‘reasonableness’ must be evaluated within the child’s real-world circumstances. The parents’ immigration status is a key factor in this determination. If both parents are required to leave the UK, the assumption is that the child will accompany them—unless compelling evidence suggests that such an expectation would be unreasonable.

For children whose parents lack legal permission to remain, there is no automatic presumption that they, along with their parents, will be granted leave to stay. Each case must undergo a thorough assessment of all relevant factors to determine whether it would be unreasonable to expect the child to depart. If it is established that removal is not reasonable, the family as a whole may be granted permission to remain in the UK.

This evaluation must prioritize the child’s best interests as a fundamental consideration. The UK Home Office and UKVI must carefully examine all aspects of the application, ensuring that decisions are based on solid evidence rather than mere assertions. A comprehensive, case-by-case assessment of all relevant circumstances is essential in reaching a fair and legally sound decision.

Super Priority Service – Receive a Decision Within 24 Hours

Aden & Co Solicitors, a team of expert immigration solicitors in London, is officially registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), and UKVCAS Sopra Steria. We offer a Super Priority Service for individuals applying for an extension of leave to remain under the 7-year child residence route. By opting for this expedited service, you can receive a decision within 24 hours, eliminating the uncertainty and long waiting periods that often extend to months or even years.

How Can Aden & Co Solicitors Assist You?

Our dedicated immigration solicitors provide comprehensive legal support on a fixed-fee basis, ensuring transparency and affordability throughout your application process. Our expert team will guide you through every stage of your extension of leave to remain application under the 7-year child residence route, offering meticulous legal representation until the Home Office UKVI reaches a decision.

Our Legal Services Include:

• Expert Consultation: We provide tailored legal advice on the eligibility criteria and essential requirements to maximize the success of your application.
• Document Guidance: Our solicitors will furnish you with a detailed checklist of the required documents to strengthen your application.
• Document Review & Compliance Check: We meticulously assess your documents to ensure full compliance with UK immigration rules and Home Office guidelines.
• Application Form Completion: Our team will accurately complete your leave to remain extension application, ensuring all sections meet legal standards.
• Priority & Super Priority Submission: Where applicable, we will submit your application via Priority or Super Priority Service, securing a faster decision from UKVI.
• Biometric Appointment Booking: We will arrange your appointment at the UKVCAS application centre for biometric enrolment.
• Comprehensive Legal Cover Letter: Our solicitors will draft a compelling legal representation letter outlining how your application meets all Home Office criteria.
• Online Document Submission: Before your biometric appointment, we will securely upload all supporting documents to ensure a streamlined process.
• Application Tracking & Follow-Up: Our immigration solicitors will actively monitor your application and provide necessary follow-ups until a final decision is issued by UKVI.

Specialized One-Off Legal Services for UK Immigration Applications

Aden & Co Solicitors offers a comprehensive range of one-off legal services tailored for UK visa and immigration applications. These services are ideal for individuals seeking professional legal assistance without engaging in full representation. By opting for our one-off services, applicants can ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in their immigration applications.

We provide the following specialized one-off legal services:

Aden & Co Solicitors’ Fixed Fees for Extension Applications Under the 7-Year Child Residence Route

• Aden & Co Solicitors offers expert legal assistance for extension applications under the 7-year child residence route at a fixed fee ranging from £1,200 to £2,000 (no VAT). The exact fee is determined by the complexity of the case and the level of work required. Additionally, we provide a Super Priority Service, enabling applicants to receive a decision within 24 hours.
• Please note that our fixed fee exclusively covers our legal services and does not include any disbursements, such as the UKVI application fee. Applicants are responsible for paying the Home Office UKVI charges separately.