UK ILR for Children Applying with a Parent

Children of ILR applicants typically apply alongside or after the parent. The qualifying period is usually tied to the parent's route and does not require an independent qualifying period for the child. This article covers the main rules.

Children as dependants

Children under 18 can typically apply for ILR as dependants of a settling parent. The application is on a separate form (depending on the route) and the child has their own fee. The supporting evidence focuses on the family relationship and the parent's status.

Qualifying period

The child's qualifying period is typically tied to the parent's route. For example, on a 5-year Skilled Worker route, the child's dependent status across the same 5 years counts toward ILR.

Children born in the UK

Children born in the UK to an ILR-holding parent are typically British citizens at birth. If neither parent had ILR or citizenship at the time of birth, the child is not British at birth but can typically register as British once one parent obtains ILR.

Test exemptions

The Life in the UK Test does not apply to children under 18. The English language test also does not apply. Children meet the standard requirements through the parental application route.

Independent child applications

Children whose parents do not qualify or are not settled may have their own routes (such as the 7-year child concession for children continuously resident from a young age). Specialist legal advice can identify the best route for the specific situation.

Children as dependants in detail

Children under 18 can typically apply for ILR as dependants of a settling parent. The application is on a separate form (depending on the route) and the child has their own fee. The supporting evidence focuses on the family relationship and the parent's status.

The child's identity documents include their passport (or their National Identity card for some children) and birth certificate. The relationship to the parent is evidenced by the birth certificate showing the parents' names.

The child must have been resident in the UK during the relevant period. For children who arrived with the parent at the start of the parent's qualifying period, the child has typically been resident for the full 5 years (or longer for Long Residence). For children who arrived later, the child's qualifying period may be shorter than the parent's.

The dependency on the parent is part of the assessment. Children of school age who are still in education and living with the parent are typically considered dependants; older children (such as 18-21 year olds) may have changed circumstances.

The fee for child dependants is typically the same as for adult applicants (GBP 3,029 in April 2024 for ILR). For families with multiple children, the total fee burden can be substantial.

Qualifying period for children

The child's qualifying period is typically tied to the parent's route. For example, on a 5-year Skilled Worker route, the child's dependent status across the same 5 years counts toward ILR. The child does not typically need to meet a separate qualifying period.

For children who arrived in the UK partway through the parent's qualifying period, the child's ILR qualifying period may be shorter than 5 years. The Home Office considers the child's actual UK residence; the qualifying period is the period the child has actually been resident.

For children born in the UK during the parent's qualifying period, the child's UK residence begins at birth. By the time the parent reaches ILR, the child has typically been resident for the same period.

For children who arrived after the parent's qualifying period began (such as children joining the parent on a dependant visa after the parent's initial UK arrival), the child's qualifying period may be different from the parent's. Specialist immigration advice can confirm the specific situation.

Children born in the UK in detail

A child born in the UK to a parent who is British or has ILR at the time of birth is typically British at birth. The status is automatic and confirmed by the birth certificate; no application is needed.

If neither parent had ILR or citizenship at the time of birth, the child is not British at birth but can typically register as British once a parent acquires ILR or citizenship. The registration is on form MN1 with the GBP 1,214 fee (April 2024).

For a parent who acquires ILR after the child's birth, the child's path to British citizenship is typically: apply to register the child as British under section 1(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981. The registration is typically straightforward if the child meets the criteria (UK birth, parent with ILR).

Children registered as British under section 1(3) are British citizens otherwise than by descent. This means the child's own future children born abroad to British parents can typically be British by descent.

For children of complex family structures (such as different nationalities, surrogacy arrangements, adoption), specialist nationality advice may be needed.

Test exemptions in detail

The Life in the UK Test does not apply to children under 18. The test requirement applies to adult applicants only; minors do not need to take the test.

The English language test also does not apply to children under 18. The language requirement applies to adult applicants only.

Children meet the standard requirements through the parental application route. The parent's tests and language compliance support the family application; the children's applications are considered alongside without separate test requirements.

For children turning 18 during the qualifying period, the transition can affect the application route. A 17-year-old applying as a child dependant has different requirements from an 18-year-old applying as an adult. Timing the application around the child's birthday can be relevant.

For children with special needs that would make the standard tests inappropriate (when they become adults), the same exemption framework applies as for other adult applicants. Medical evidence supports the exemption claim.

Independent child applications

Children whose parents do not qualify or are not settled may have their own routes. The most common is the 7-year child concession (under paragraph 276ADE of the Immigration Rules) for children continuously resident in the UK from a young age.

The 7-year route applies to children aged under 18 who have lived in the UK for at least 7 years continuously. The route provides a path to leave to remain, leading to settlement after further qualifying period.

For children born to parents without ILR or citizenship, the parents' status determines the child's options. As the parents progress toward ILR, the children's path typically follows. For families where the parents are on temporary visas with no clear ILR route, the children may have their own pathways through long residence.

For children in care (looked-after children) with complex status situations, the local authority typically supports the child's immigration arrangements. Specialist legal aid may be available for these cases.

For step-children, adopted children, and other complex family structures, specialist legal advice can identify the best route for the specific situation. The 'family' definition in immigration rules has specific criteria.

Worked example: child included on parent's ILR application

A worked example clarifies the typical child dependant route. Consider a 10-year-old child of a Skilled Worker visa holder applying for ILR. The child's qualifying period is tied to the parent's route; both parent and child have been resident in the UK for 5 years. The child's ILR application is on SET(O) alongside the parent's; the child's fee is GBP 2,885 (same as adult). No Life in the UK Test or English language requirement applies to the child. Documents include the child's passport, birth certificate showing the parent-child relationship, and evidence of continuous UK residence.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information based on rules and figures published by UK government and regulator sources as of May 2026. It is not personal financial, legal, immigration or tax advice. Rules, fees and figures change and individual circumstances vary. Readers should check primary sources or consult a qualified, regulated adviser before acting on any information here.

Frequently asked questions

Does the child need their own biometric appointment?

Yes. Each child applicant has their own biometric enrolment. Even very young children attend the appointment; the biometrics captured may be limited for under-5s but the appointment is required. Some accommodations apply for very young children; the UKVCAS centre can confirm.

Can a child travel after applying?

Travel during a pending ILR application can result in the application being treated as withdrawn. Specialist advice is important before any travel. For children whose parent's application is pending, the child's status may also be affected by travel. The general advice is to remain in the UK throughout the application process.

What if the child turns 18 during the qualifying period?

The transition affects the application route and may require additional evidence. The application typically continues but the adult-applicant rules begin to apply. For example, the 18-year-old may need to take the Life in the UK Test and English language test if applying for the first time as an adult.

Does the child need to be living with the parent in the UK?

Continuous residence is typically required. Short absences are permitted within the standard rules. For children studying abroad or living with relatives outside the UK for extended periods, the continuity of UK residence may be affected; specialist advice can confirm the situation.

Can a non-biological child apply as a dependant?

Adopted children typically can. Other relationships (e.g. step-children) may qualify under specific rules; the rules are detailed and specialist advice is often needed. The 'family member' definitions in the immigration rules cover various relationship types; meeting the definitions is essential for the application.

Are children's ILR fees the same as adults?

Typically yes. The standard ILR fee (GBP 3,029 in April 2024) applies to each applicant including children. Some specific child routes (such as registration as British citizen, which is different from ILR) have different fee structures.

How does the child's age affect the application?

Children under 18 are typically considered dependants of their parents and apply alongside. Children aged 18+ at the time of application typically need their own visa or ILR application; they cannot apply as dependants of a parent on most routes. Timing the application around the child's 18th birthday can be relevant.

Frequently asked questions

Does the child need their own biometric appointment?

Yes. Each child applicant has their own biometric enrolment. Even very young children attend the appointment; the biometrics captured may be limited for under-5s but the appointment is required. Some accommodations apply for very young children; the UKVCAS centre can confirm.

Can a child travel after applying?

Travel during a pending ILR application can result in the application being treated as withdrawn. Specialist advice is important before any travel. For children whose parent's application is pending, the child's status may also be affected by travel. The general advice is to remain in the UK throughout the application process.

What if the child turns 18 during the qualifying period?

The transition affects the application route and may require additional evidence. The application typically continues but the adult-applicant rules begin to apply. For example, the 18-year-old may need to take the Life in the UK Test and English language test if applying for the first time as an adult.

Does the child need to be living with the parent in the UK?

Continuous residence is typically required. Short absences are permitted within the standard rules. For children studying abroad or living with relatives outside the UK for extended periods, the continuity of UK residence may be affected; specialist advice can confirm the situation.

Can a non-biological child apply as a dependant?

Adopted children typically can. Other relationships (e.g. step-children) may qualify under specific rules; the rules are detailed and specialist advice is often needed. The 'family member' definitions in the immigration rules cover various relationship types; meeting the definitions is essential for the application.

Are children's ILR fees the same as adults?

Typically yes. The standard ILR fee (GBP 3,029 in April 2024) applies to each applicant including children. Some specific child routes (such as registration as British citizen, which is different from ILR) have different fee structures.

How does the child's age affect the application?

Children under 18 are typically considered dependants of their parents and apply alongside. Children aged 18+ at the time of application typically need their own visa or ILR application; they cannot apply as dependants of a parent on most routes. Timing the application around the child's 18th birthday can be relevant.