Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they define the term "very significant obstacles", as used in paragraph 276ADE(1)(vi) of the immigration rules, especially in relation to applicants who have lived in the United Kingdom for more than half their life.

Paragraph 276ADE(1) of the Immigration Rules sets out the requirements for leave to remain on the basis of the applicant’s private life in the UK. Under paragraph 276ADE(1)(vi), where the applicant is aged 18 or over and has lived continuously in the UK for less than 20 years (and whether or not they have done so for more than half their life), there must be “very significant obstacles” to the applicant’s integration into the country to which they would have to go if required to leave the UK. Guidance for caseworkers on this is contained in section 8.2.3.4 of the Immigration Directorate Instruction Appendix FM 1.0b Family Life (as a Partner or Parent) and Private Life: 10-Year Routes, published on GOV.UK.