Early Concession on ILR
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Early Concession on Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Securing Indefinite Leave to Remain is one of the most important milestones in a person’s immigration journey. For many young people who have grown up in the UK, the Early Concession on ILR offers a faster and fairer route to settlement. Our Early Concession ILR Solicitors London provide clear, strategic, and compassionate legal advice to those seeking permanent status under this important policy.
This concession recognises that individuals who were born in the UK or arrived as children should not be disadvantaged by historic immigration issues that are beyond their control. It reflects modern principles of fairness, proportionality, and long-term integration.
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
What is the policy?
On 25 October 2021, the Home Office introduced a concession allowing certain young people to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years’ limited leave, rather than the standard ten-year route. This is designed for individuals who were born in the UK or arrived as children, recognising that they should not be penalised for any past immigration issues and are now fully integrated into UK society.
Under the 2026 rules, an applicant is eligible for early ILR if they:
- Are 18 or older and have spent at least half of their life continuously in the UK (excluding imprisonment)
- Were born in the UK or arrived as a child
- Have held limited leave to remain for five years
- Are eligible for further leave under the Immigration Rules and have made the relevant application
Once these criteria are met, the Home Office will consider whether it is appropriate and proportionate to grant ILR. Factors considered include:
- Age on arrival in the UK
- Total length of residence, including any unlawful periods
- Strength of connections and integration into UK life
- Whether any previous unlawful residence was due to parental/guardian actions while under 18
- Efforts to regularise immigration status
- Current and past leave held
- Any impact on health or welfare if limited leave continues
This ensures that early ILR is granted fairly, reflecting each individual’s personal circumstances.
Who will benefit from the policy
The Early Concession is aimed at young adults who were born in the UK or arrived as children and granted limited leave to remain to regularise their status. This includes those on the private life route, who would normally need 10 years in the UK before qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, as well as individuals granted discretionary leave.
It can also apply to young adults who were dependants under the family route (Appendix FM) on a 10-year settlement path, provided the primary family member is no longer eligible or the applicant is no longer dependent. To qualify, the applicant must have:
- Completed five years of leave as a dependant
- Lived in the UK for more than half of their life
- Be 18 or older
The concession supports stability for young people and aligns with the principle that children should not be penalised for their parents’ actions, reflecting the Zoumbas v SSHD (2013) decision on the “sins of the parents
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Who the Early Concession Is Designed to Protect
The concession is aimed at young adults who:
- Were born in the UK or entered the UK as children
- Have spent at least half of their lives living continuously in the UK
- Were granted limited leave to regularise their immigration status
- Have developed strong personal, cultural, educational, and social ties to the UK
These individuals are often students, graduates, professionals, or carers who consider the UK their only home. The Home Office recognises that extending temporary status unnecessarily can have a negative impact on stability, mental health, education, and career progress.
Working with top immigration lawyers guarantees a clear and persuasive presentation of the applicant’s personal history and integration.
Eligibility Criteria Under the 2026 Immigration Rules
To qualify for ILR under the early concession, applicants must meet specific requirements at the date of application. These include:
- Being 18 years or older
- Having lived in the UK for at least half of their life, excluding any periods of imprisonment
- Having been born in the UK or entered as a child
- Holding five continuous years of limited leave to remain
- Being eligible for further leave under the Immigration Rules and making a valid application
- Meeting suitability and good character requirements
There is no maximum age limit at the time of applying for ILR, provided the applicant met the half-life requirement earlier in their immigration history.
Our Early Concession ILR Solicitors London carefully assess eligibility and ensure that applicants apply under the correct legal framework.
The Importance of the “Half-Life” Test
The concession’s most important part is that the applicant must have lived in the UK for at least half their life. This test is central to determining whether the early settlement route applies.
For example:
- Someone aged 20 must have lived at least 10 years in the UK
- Someone aged 30 must have lived at least 15 years in the UK
This calculation must be precise and supported by documentary evidence. Errors in residence calculations are one of the most common reasons for refusal.
Our expert solicitors ensure that residence evidence is comprehensive, accurate, and clearly presented to the Home Office.
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
Routes Commonly Covered by the Concession
The early ILR concession most commonly applies to individuals who have held leave under:
Private Life Route
Applicants granted limited leave on private life grounds are usually placed on a 10-year route to settlement. The concession allows qualifying individuals to apply for ILR after five years instead.
Discretionary Leave
Where discretionary leave leads to settlement, applicants may also benefit from early ILR if the eligibility criteria are met.
Family Route Dependants
Some applicants were granted leave as dependants under family routes. The concession may apply where the applicant is no longer dependent or where the main family applicant is no longer eligible under the family rules.
Our Early Concession ILR Solicitors London provide tailored advice for each route, ensuring the correct legal arguments are made.
Why Early ILR Is So Important
Obtaining ILR brings significant benefits, including:
- Freedom from immigration time limits
- No requirement to make further visa applications
- Access to public funds where eligible
- Greater employment and career opportunities
- Long-term stability and security
- A pathway to British citizenship
For those who have spent most of their lives in the UK, early settlement allows them to plan their future with confidence.
Working with top legal professionals ensures that this opportunity is not missed.
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused
Despite meeting the rules, applications can be refused due to:
- Incorrect residence calculations
- Gaps in evidence
- Failure to address proportionality
- Poorly prepared legal representations
- Applying under the wrong route
Our expert team identifies potential risks early and addresses them proactively.
How Adam Bernard Solicitors Can Help
At Adam Bernard Solicitors, we provide specialist legal support for early ILR applications, including:
- Detailed eligibility assessments under the 2026 UK rules
- Strategic advice on timing and the correct immigration route
- Review and preparation of supporting evidence
- Strong legal representations addressing proportionality
- Ongoing support until a decision is received
Our Early Concession ILR Solicitors London understand Home Office decision-making and tailor every application to the client’s individual circumstances.
Why Choose Adam Bernard Solicitors?
- UK-focused immigration expertise
- Extensive experience with early ILR and private life cases
- Clear, honest, and practical legal advice
- Client-focused approach with 24/7 availability
- Proven track record of successful outcomes
Clients choose Adam Bernard because we combine legal precision with genuine care. Our Early Concession ILR Solicitors London are committed to helping clients secure long-term stability and a future in the UK.
Speak to Our Early Concession ILR Solicitors London Today
If you believe you may qualify for ILR under the Early Concession, early legal advice is crucial. Every case is different, and the way your history is presented can make a decisive difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Early Concession on ILR allows certain individuals who grew up in the UK to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of limited leave, instead of the usual ten-year route. It applies mainly to people who were born in the UK or arrived as children and are now fully integrated into UK society.
You may qualify if you are 18 or over, have lived in the UK for at least half of your life, arrived as a child or were born in the UK, and have completed five years of limited leave on a route that normally leads to settlement.
Yes. Under the 2026 UK Immigration Rules, there is no upper age limit for applying. What matters is whether you met the residence and “half-life” requirement earlier in your immigration history.
Yes. The concession commonly applies to individuals on the private life route, who would normally need to complete 10 years in the UK. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may qualify for ILR after just five years.
In some cases, yes. If you were granted leave as a dependant under the family route (Appendix FM) and have completed five years’ leave, lived in the UK for more than half of your life, and are no longer dependent—or the main applicant is no longer eligible—you may qualify under the concession.
The half-life rule means you must have lived in the UK for at least half of your total life at the date of application. For example, a 20-year-old must show 10 years’ residence, and a 30-year-old must show 15 years. Accurate calculation and evidence are essential.
Documents typically include proof of residence in the UK, previous grants of leave, evidence of integration (such as education or employment records), and documents showing efforts to regularise your immigration status. A solicitor can help ensure the correct evidence is submitted
Early ILR applications involve discretion and proportionality assessments. Early Concession ILR Solicitors London ensure your case is presented clearly, legally, and persuasively, reducing the risk of refusal and helping you secure permanent status in the UK as early as possible.
