Completing application form HPDL

This page contains general guidance on using application form HPDL to apply for permission to extend your stay in the UK (also known as 'further leave to remain'), or for permission to settle here permanently (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain').

You should also read the detailed guidance notes given at the end of the form. You can download the form and guidance notes from the right side of this page.

Can I apply using this form?

You should use form HPDL if you were refused asylum in the UK but were given:

• exceptional leave to remain for a period of less than 4 years, or for separate periods making four years in all;
• discretionary leave to remain; or
• humanitarian protection before 30 August 2005

These terms are explained in the Asylum section.

There is no fee for making this application, but you must be in the UK when you apply.

You must not send us your application more than 28 days before the end of your authorised stay in the UK. If you do, we will not consider your application. However, you must apply before your current permission to stay in the UK expires.

Can I include my dependants in my application?

You can use the same form for a joint application by you, your partner and any children you have who are aged under 18, if they are applying as your dependants. Children over 18 must apply separately.

Making an application

Section 5 of form HPDL lists the documents that you must send with your application. You should send the original documents, not copies. In exceptional circumstances, we may accept a photocopy that is certified as an accurate copy by the body or authority that issued the original, or by a notary - but you must include a letter explaining why you are providing a certified copy rather than the original document.

To confirm your immigration status, you should send us one of the following documents for yourself and for each dependant who is applying on the same form:

• current national passport; or
• travel document; or
• Home Office or UK Border Agency status letter (which will have an official document number on it - ICD.0716, GEN 19, ICD.0358, or RON 58); or
• immigration status document (which will have an official document number on it - ACD.2155 or ACD.2158).

If you cannot send us a document or photograph now, please explain why and tell us when you will be able to send it to us.

You must complete the form in block capitals using a black pen. Please enter all dates as dd-mm-yyyy (for example, 29-04-2000).

Sections 1 and 3 - details of yourself and your family

You must complete section 1 in full. If you are including dependants in your application, you must provide their details in section 3. If an immigration adviser is helping you complete the application form, write their address at section 1.9.

Section 2 - your history and circumstances

You must complete this section in full. The date required in section 2.1 is the date when your current permission to stay (known as 'limited leave to remain') expires. Use the box at the end of section 2 to tell us any reasons why you want to extend your stay that you have not already mentioned. You do not need to tell us anything that you have previously told us in any other application for asylum, or an appeal, or request to extend your stay. If your circumstances change after you have made your application, you should tell us as soon as possible.

Sections 4, 5 and 6

You must complete these sections. If you are including dependants in your application, you must provide their documents and photographs and tick all the applicable boxes in section 5. You must sign and date the declaration in section 6. If your application is for more than one person, the main applicant must sign the form.

Personal checklist

This enables you to check that you have included everything we have asked for.

Sending us the form

Please send us all the pages up to and including Section 6, but keep the guidance notes at the end. These notes tell you how to contact us if you need to do so after sending us your application.

You must post your application to the address given on the form. For this type of application, you cannot apply in person at one of our public enquiry offices.

If your permission to stay was given to you by an asylum case owner, you should send your application form to the regional address given on your decision service record, which was given to you when your case owner told you about the decision on your asylum case. Otherwise, you should post your application to:

Active Review Applications
UK Border Agency
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR9 2BY

We cannot tell in advance how long it will take to decide your application, so you should not make non-urgent travel plans until we have returned your passport to you. Your application will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Your documents will be returned to the address you gave us on your form. If an immigration adviser helped you to complete the form, we will return the documents to that adviser. Your documents will be returned by post, using recorded delivery.

Permission to stay in the United Kingdom for reasons that are exceptional. This is sometimes given to someone who does not qualify for asylum but whom we believe should be allowed to stay for other reasons.Indefinite leave to remain (often known as 'ILR' and 'settlement') is permission to remain in the UK without any time restrictions on the length of stay. It is not the same as naturalisation as a British citizen and may, in specific circumstances, be ceased or invalidated, for example, if a fraudulent application is uncovered, if the person resides outside of the UK for more than 2 years or as a result of a criminal conviction that results in a Deportation Order coming into force.Protection given to someone under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is not the same as asylum, which may be given only to those who are fleeing persecution, under the terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. We may give humanitarian protection to someone whom we believe does not qualify for asylum if we think there are humanitarian reasons for allowing that person to stay in the United Kingdom.Permission to stay in the United Kingdom temporarily, for the length of time stated on your visa.Someone who depends on you financially, such as a husband, wife, partner, or child.A notary is also known as a notary public. A notary is a public official who is legally authorised to witness the signing of documents and perform other formal duties.