Read the statement of intent for immigration changes. Friend of yours can qualify though article 8 private life look at paragraph 60. If he is 11 in 1999 now he must be 23 or 24.
You can read more here
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... am-mig.pdf or below
PRIVATE LIFE
58.
The Immigration Rules will provide a basis on which a person without family life can remain in the UK through long residence and social integration in the UK, consistent with the approach of Strasbourg and UK case law in this area. Those here lawfully for 10 years will continue to be able to qualify for settlement if they meet the requirements (under paragraph 276B(i)(a) of the Immigration Rules). The current 14 year long residence route to settlement for those in the UK lawfully or unlawfully will be abolished (paragraph 276B(i)(b)).
59.
Under the new rules, at least 20 years’ continuous residence in the UK, lawfully or unlawfully, will generally be required before a person can apply to start a 10 year route to settlement in the UK on the basis of the Article 8 right to respect for private life. Anything less than 20 years’ continuous residence will generally be insufficient to establish private life to the extent that it would be unlawful to remove the person from the UK. The criminality thresholds set out in the section below on criminality will apply.
60.
The Immigration Rules will provide that, for leave to remain on the basis of private life in the UK, the applicant must:
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have resided continuously in the UK for at least 20 years (discounting any period of imprisonment, in this and other cases); or
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be under the age of 18 years and have resided continuously in the UK for at least seven years; or
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be aged 18 years or above but under 25 years and have spent at least half their life residing continuously in the UK; or
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be aged 18 years or above, have resided continuously in the UK for less than 20 years but have no social, cultural or family ties with their country of origin.
61.
An applicant for leave to remain in the UK on the basis of private life must apply on the correct form and pay the relevant application fee. If they qualify, they will enter a 10 year route to settlement, consisting of four periods of 30 months’ leave to remain, plus a fifth application for indefinite leave to remain, if they qualify for it. Once on the route, applicants will have to make an application, on the correct form and paying the
