FLR FP (Parent route) REFUSAL

[HelloEveryone]

hello everyone
I got a refusal for my FLR FP Parent 10 years route. REasons given are below

Please can anyone advise on this, kind regards

Edward



Family Life
You have told us that you are in a parental relationship in the UK with xxxxxxxx . As you are not eligible to apply as a partner under Appendix FM, I have considered your claim under the parent route and not the partner route.
I have considered your application under paragraphs R-LTRPT of Appendix FM. However, you do not qualify for permission to stay under the 10-year parent route for the following reasons.
Suitability
Under paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(d)(i), your application does not fall for refusal on grounds of suitability under Section S-LTR of Appendix FM.
Eligibility
I have considered whether, under paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(d)(ii), you meet the relevant eligibility requirements of Section E-LTRPT of Appendix FM.
Eligibility Relationship Requirement
Under paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(d)(ii), you do not meet the eligibility relationship requirement paragraphs E-LTRPT.2.2. to 2.4. because you fail to meet the requirements of paragraph E-LTRPT.2.4. which states:
(a) The applicant must provide evidence that they have either-
1. (i) sole parental responsibility for the child, or that the child normally lives with them; or
2. (ii) direct access (in person) to the child, as agreed with the parent or carer with whom the child normally lives or as ordered by a court in the UK; and
(b) The applicant must provide evidence that they are taking, and intend to continue to take, an active role in the child’s upbringing.
This is because you have failed to show you are playing a direct role in your child’s upbringing. This is despite the fact we wrote for such evidence on 03 November 2025.
In order to demonstrate contact we would expect to see evidence from independently verifiable sources such as the child’s school or GP confirming your involvement.
We acknowledge receipt of the Family Court documents. However, under rule 12.73 of the Family Procedure Rules and Section 12 of the Administration for Justice Act 1960, these documents require permission from the Family Court to be disclosed. This was again requested in the additional information request but was not provided. As such these documents have not been considered.
It is also noted that these documents date back to 2020. As such, even had the appropriate permission been received they would not have been sufficient to establish contact as they do not demonstrate that whatever contact arrangements were put in place at that time remain ongoing.
Eligibility Immigration Status Requirement
Under paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(d)(ii), you meet the eligibility immigration status requirement paragraphs E-LTRPT.3.1. to 3.2.
EX.1. Requirement
I have considered whether, under paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(d)(iii), you are exempt from meeting certain eligibility requirements because paragraph EX.1. applies.
I have decided that EX.1. does not apply in your case and you do not meet paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(d)(iii) of Appendix FM.
EX.1.(a) does not apply in your case because:
You have told us you have a parental relationship with xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx in the UK. However, paragraph EX.1.(a) of Appendix FM does not apply in your case because you have failed to demonstrate ongoing contact with your child. As such it is not accepted that any decision that entails you being required to leave the UK will have a detrimental impact on your child’s upbringing or wellbeing.
Private Life
We have considered your application under the private life Rules under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. However, you do not qualify for permission to stay under the 10-year private life route for the following reasons.
All statements below relate to your age at the date of application.
From the information you have provided, it is noted that you are a national of Nigeria and you claim to have entered the UK in September 2007.
You have therefore claimed to have lived in the UK for seventeen years and three months and it is not accepted you have lived continuously in the UK for at least 20 years.
Where an applicant is over the age of 18 years and has not lived in the UK for 20 years, in order to meet the requirements for an adult under Appendix Private Life, an applicant must show that they are aged 18 or above and that there would be very significant obstacles to their integration into the country to which they would have to go if required to leave the UK. It is not accepted that there would be very significant obstacles to your integration into Nigeria, if you were required to leave the UK because you resided in Nigeria up to the age of 36, which includes your childhood, formative years and a significant portion of your adult life. It is accepted that you will have retained knowledge of the life, language and culture, and would not face significant obstacles to re-integrating into life in Nigeria once more. As a result of this, you fail to meet the requirements for an adult under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.
You are over the age of 18. As a result of this, you fail to meet the requirements for a child under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.
You are not aged between 18 and under 25 years. As a result of this, you fail to meet the requirements for a young person under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.
Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights
I have considered whether refusal a breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In so doing I have taken into account the best interests of any relevant child as a primary consideration.
You have been unable to provide sufficient information or evidence to establish that your case raises exceptional circumstances which would render a breach of Article 8 (based on private life) to warrant a grant of permission to stay.
You have told us you have a daughter in the UK and any decision that entails you being required to leave the UK will have a negative impact on her. You have also claimed you are working and contributing to the economy.
You have further stated you have formed a private life in the UK where you have recently formed a company. You have also stated you are a law-abiding citizen and have never had any criminal convictions during your time in the UK.
We have reached this decision because you claim to be of good character and never had a criminal conviction, however this is not considered an exceptional circumstance. This is because it is accepted that all those who wish to enter and remain in the United Kingdom must adhere to the laws set.
You claim that you wish to remain in the UK to work; however, you can return to Nigeria and legally gain employment or establish a business there. The qualifications and work experience you have gained in the UK will assist you in finding employment.
You have claimed to be playing an active role in your child’s upbringing. However, as previously noted you have failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate this. While the evidence provided does suggest you are providing some financial support to your child, your ability to do this is not contingent on you being in the UK. You could continue to do this from overseas.
It is also asserted that this decision is both reasonable and in accordance with the UK’s obligations under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. Section 55 of the aforementioned act requires that the best interests of a child are a consideration which needs to be taken into account whenever UK Visas and Immigration undertake enforcement action.
As you have failed to demonstrate active involvement in your child’s life it is not accepted that a decision to refuse you will have a detrimental impact on your child’s wellbeing or development.
Whilst this decision may involve a degree of disruption to your private life, this is considered to be proportionate to the legitimate aim of maintaining effective immigration control. It has been decided that a grant of leave outside the rules is not appropriate. Further, whilst the current economic situation in your country may be less advantageous, The Secretary of State is satisfied you would not suffer any greater hardship than other people of that nation.
It should be noted that, a mere wish, desire or preference to live in the UK does not amount to an exceptional circumstance. The assessment of whether there are “exceptional circumstances” is a more stringent assessment than whether it would be “reasonable to expect” for someone to return to their home country. It is noted that obtaining employment and accommodation in another country may be an inconvenience, but a degree of inconvenience does not amount to an exceptional circumstance. It is apparent that someone who currently resides in the UK may prefer not to uproot and relocate, however the ECHR does not oblige the UK to accept the choice of someone as to which country they would simply prefer to reside in.
Refusal Paragraph under the 10-year Parent and Private Life Routes
In light of the above, your application is refused under paragraph D-LTRPT.1.3. with reference to paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(d)(i), (ii) and (iii) of Appendix FM, and under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules. Accordingly, you do not qualify for permission to stay under the 10-year parent route of Appendix FM, or the private life route under Appendix Private Life of the Immigration Rules.
Next steps
You should now do one of the following:
· appeal the decision to refuse your claim
· tell us any other reasons you think you should be allowed to remain in the UK
· seek help and advice on returning home
· leave the UK.
Right of appeal
You have 14 days from the date this decision was sent to appeal.