On 29 February 2008, immigration rules came into force specifying application forms and procedures for applications or claims in connection with immigration. The rules are in paragraphs 34A-34J of the immigration rules. The Immigration (Leave to Remain) (Prescribed Forms and Procedures) Regulations 2007, which previously specified application forms and related procedures for applications for leave to remain in the UK, ceased to have effect on 29 February 2008 (See IDI Chapter 1A, Section 1 of the IDIs)

Paragraph 34D of the immigration rules permits the inclusion of applications by dependants on a specified application form if they are the spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner and/or children under the age of 18 of the main applicant, and provided that the form permits the inclusion of such applications. As there is no provision for dependants in the long residence category, any dependants specified in paragraph 34D (spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner and/or child under the age of 18) included on the application form would be normally refused on the basis that there is no provision in the immigration rules.