Human rights: family and private life (Article 8)

This guide from Right to Remain explains how people in the UK can apply to remain on the basis of their right to family and/or private life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It covers the legal definitions of family and private life, the balancing test between individual rights and state immigration control, and the range of application types where Article 8 arguments are relevant — including asylum appeals, partner applications, the 7-year rule, the 10-year route, long residence, and medical grounds. It also addresses practical matters such as application fees, fee waivers, the immigration health surcharge, and the limited availability of legal aid for Article 8 cases outside asylum claims. The guide is case-specific in its guidance and notes that evidence is central to any Article 8 argument, with outcomes depending heavily on individual circumstances.