Help For Illegal Immigrants in UK

Options for Individuals in the UK Illegally

You’re living in the UK illegally if you came to the UK without legal permission or your permission has expired. Remaining in the UK as an illegal immigrant can make your life difficult. You’ll have no access to NHS treatment and can be detained and deported at any time. You may also experience difficulty finding work and housing, making you vulnerable to exploitation. 

If you’re living in the UK illegally, you may be able to regularise your stay or get help to return to your country. You’ll need an immigration specialist like IAS to examine your case and determine your best option. 

Depending on your situation, you may be able to remain in the UK via any of the legal visa routes or asylum claims. Decisions for illegal immigrants are usually made on a case-by-case basis. Hence, it’s essential to have the best hands representing you in the legal process. 

Let IAS Help You

Immigration Advice Service can help you attain legal resident status in the UK. We’ll help assess your situation, determine the best action, and provide legal representation. Our immigration team comprises some of the best immigration specialists and caseworkers in the UK. Contact us today to speak with one of them and get immediate assistance. You can reach us at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or via the online contact form.

Deportation and Living Conditions for Individuals in the UK Illegally

Individuals living in the UK illegally face several risks, including the risk of detention and deportation. If you’re reported or caught by UK border control, you’ll be taken to an immigration centre and held there while the immigration authorities arrange for your deportation. 

It is usually an unpleasant experience that can take away your chance to pursue a better life in the UK and even separate you from loved ones. This is one of the biggest reasons you should legalise your immigration status quickly and avoid such risk.

If you believe you’re at risk of deportation and need assistance with your case, contact Immigration Advice Service today. IAS services cover deportation appeals and bail and detention matters. Our immigration specialists will evaluate your case and walk you through the best solutions.

How to Obtain Legal Residency in the UK

Your ability to obtain legal resident status in the UK depends on your circumstances. Your application to remain will most likely be refused if you apply more than 14 days after the expiry of your stay permission. However, you can apply to stay in the UK if you fall into any of the following categories.

• You have lived in the UK for more than 20 years.
• You’ll have significant problems living in your home country because of a lack of work, family or friends, or you will not be accepted.
• You’re 18 to 25 and have lived in the UK for over half of your life.
• You have a partner who is a British citizen, has EU-settled status, or holds an indefinite leave to remain.
• You had a visa as a partner of a British citizen, refugee, or a person with EU-settled status or indefinite leave to remain, but the relationship broke down due to domestic abuse.
• You have a British child, or your child holds an indefinite leave to remain or has lived in the UK for more than seven years.
• You cannot return to your country because you’ll be persecuted, tortured, or face the death penalty.
• You’re a victim of human trafficking/modern slavery.

Whether the Home Office approves your application and the type of resident status you’ll receive depends on your unique situation and how well you can prove your case. This is why you need assistance from experienced immigration specialists like IAS. 

Options for Individuals Unable to Stay Legally in the UK

If you can’t stay in the UK legally, you can choose to return home voluntarily instead of facing deportation risks. This is known as “voluntary return.” This option is better for your long-term prospects of returning to the UK than deportation. 

The UK Government assists persons willing to make a voluntary return. The voluntary return service can help you get travel documents and pay for your return ticket if you can’t afford to. You may also be eligible for financial support of up to £3,000 to help you settle down in your home country.

If you wish to make a voluntary return, we can guide you through applying for assistance from the voluntary return service. Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 today.

Support Available for Individuals with a History of Imprisonment

You may be eligible for government assistance if you’ve been in prison and would like to return to your home country after serving your sentence. You might be able to receive help via the Home Office “Facilitated Return Scheme” if your prison sentence was up to four years.

You can apply for the scheme up to nine months before or at the end of your sentence. However, this scheme is not open to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens.

If you’ve already applied for permission to stay in the UK, you must cancel the application before applying for the Facilitated Return Scheme. You can speak to one of our immigration specialists for expert advice if you’re unsure of what to do.

Assistance Available for Asylum Seekers

Eligible illegal immigrants in the UK can apply for asylum to obtain refugee status. Once you’ve applied for asylum, you’re no longer an illegal immigrant but an asylum seeker. If UKVI approves your asylum application, you’ll become a legal resident with refugee status.

The UK government provides support services for asylum seekers who do not have the means to support themselves while waiting for a decision on their asylum application. You’re eligible for asylum support if you’re homeless and do not have money to buy food. The asylum support includes

• Housing support: You’ll be provided with accommodation. It could be a house, an apartment, a hostel, or a bed and breakfast.
• Cash support: You’ll usually get a sum of £49.18 per week for each household member to buy necessities like food, toiletries, and clothing. You’ll only get £8.86 if your accommodation provides food.
• Your children can attend a free state school and receive free healthcare from the NHS.

You can also receive short-term housing and financial support if you’ve been refused asylum but can’t leave the UK yet. 

Legal Aid for Asylum Cases

You may qualify for “Legal Aid” as an illegal immigrant or asylum seeker, depending on the peculiarity of your case. Legal aid means you can receive free advice and help paying for legal representation. Legal aid is available for:

• Immigration bail applications
• Asylum applications
• Application for leave to remain by victims of domestic violence
• Application for leave to remain by victims of human trafficking
• Asylum support applications
• Special immigration appeals

Contact our asylum lawyer on +44 (0)333 414 9244 for immediate support.

Legal Support: How can IAS Help You

Immigration Advice Service is one of the leading immigration firms in the UK. We have a nationwide network of immigration advice centres, and all our lawyers are IAA-trained and regulated. 

Our services start with advice – our lawyers assess your immigration situation and eligibility and offer advice on the best option for remaining in the UK. We provide a range of services for illegal immigrants in the UK, including:

• Asylum application
• Application for discretionary leave to remain
• Representation at the Tribunals
• Refugee and humanitarian protection
• Deportation appeal, bail, and detention matters 
• Appeals and judicial review challenges

Our lawyers will complete all applications on your behalf to avoid mistakes that can jeopardise your application. They’ll also write a detailed letter of representation detailing the merits of your case to support your application. After submitting your application, we’ll maintain contact with the Home Office until a decision is made on your case.