Under 25 years, need advice on naturalization via Private Life

[panicked25]

First time user here,

Been thinking about this a lot, but I've been pretty stupid about not acting on this a lot sooner. And just came to the sudden realisation recently.

I'll be 25 years old in a couple of days, and arrived in the country when I was about 13.5 years old (so I wouldn't meet the requirements of "spent at least half of his life living continuously in the UK") through a visitor's visa, but overstayed, went to secondary school, sixth form and university.

The initial decision to overstay wasn't really my choice, but I just rolled with it without really thinking about it much.

I don't have any criminal charges (but do technically work illegally).

I don't have a wife, girlfriend or child.

But literally 80-90% of all my friends and family members including cousins, uncles and aunties live in the UK, including my immediate family (who have definite leave to remain through the children route (my younger siblings)).

What are the chances of an application through the private life route succeeding, seeing as I don't strictly meet one of the requirements (living at least half my life here)?
And what would you guy's general advice be?

I don't want to make an application and basically get sent back, and potentially lose all my current stability (bank accounts, job, friends etc).

Thanks in advance,
Sincerely panicked over-stayer.

[Casa]

From your topic title you appear to be referring to naturalisation. You won't qualify for British citizenship without first regularising your right to reside legally in the UK and then eventually being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You're a long way off from qualifying for BC.

[panicked25]

Thanks and I really appreciate the reply.

I think I was just using the wrong terminology, rather than naturalization, I meant gaining leave to remain. More specifically, through FLR (FP) Article 8 - Private Life.

I guess my main question is what you guys would recommend for someone in my situation? e.g. whether it'll be thrown out for not meeting the initial requirement, the route to take instead etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

The lawyer I went to a couple of months back basically gave it a 50% chance of being successful, and not being very direct about it.
And would be much more confident if I had a child/wife before going through with the application.