On 9 July 2012, the Home Office removed the 14 Year Long Residence Rule which allowed individuals without a visa a means to regularise their stay on the basis of the length of time they had spent in the UK. It was replaced by a new category based on a person's right to a 'private life' in the UK. Like its predecessor, this category potentially allows an individual with no lawful permission to apply to remain in the UK. An applicant will need to satisfy not only a suitability test but will also need to meet a minimum residency requirement. The length of time a person will need demonstrate they have been resident in the UK will depend on their age and circumstances.