Visas and Immigration
Britain's visa and immigration system is very complicated. The rules can also change unexpectedly.
Your visa and immigration status determine whether you are allowed to work and whether you have the right to get help from the state if you have problems with money, housing or your health.
If you're seeking asylum, you'll be faced with even more restrictions than regular migrants.
Getting advice
Whatever question or problem you have, it's crucial that you get good, specialist advice. This should only come from a person or organisation that is accredited - officially approved - by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, or from a qualified immigration solicitor.
People who are not accredited or qualified can give you basic advice. But it is illegal for them to give you lengthy, formal advice.
The UK Border Agency is the government organisation that controls migration. You can get a lot of information from its website, but only in English. www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
General advice
If you need to get independent advice, contact one of the following organisations.
Community Legal Advice
This has a comprehensive directory, the
CLS Legal Adviser Directory, on its website.
Telephone: 0845 345
4345
www.clsdirect.org.uk
Immigration Advisory Service (IAS)
IAS has offices across Britain
and can provide information in different languages.
Telephone:
020 7967 1200
www.iasuk.org
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
You can find details
of advisers on its website.
Telephone: 0845 000 0046
www.oisc.gov.uk
Immigration and sexuality advice
You can find specialist advice on immigration and sexuality issues from the following organisations.
Refugee Action Lesbian and Gay Asylum Team
Telephone: 020 7654
0686
UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group
This provides information
and advice on immigration rights for same-sex couples and supports gay
asylum seekers. It has a list of 'gay friendly' solicitors.
Telephone:
020 7922 7811
www.uklgig.org.uk
Asylum and refugee advice
You can get specialist advice on asylum and refugee issues from these organisations.
Refugee Council
The Refugee Council has offices across Britain. You can find the office nearest to you by looking in the 'Contact us' section of its website. The Council has advice lines, in multiple languages, around Britain.
UK website: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
Welsh website: www.welshrefugeecouncil.org
Refugee Legal Centre
The Refugee Legal Centre has offices across
England. Find the office nearest to you by looking at the 'Contact us'
section of its website.
www.refugee-legal-centre.org.uk
Paying for advice and representation
Initial advice from a solicitor is usually free but after that you have to pay. If you don't have much money, you may be able to get help with paying legal costs. This help is called Legal Aid.
There are strict guidelines (criteria) about who can get Legal Aid. In general, you will have to pay for anything relating to work permits and civil partnerships. However, your immigration status and nationality will not affect whether you can get Legal Aid.
Contact Community Legal Advice to find out if you might be able to
get help paying for legal advice. It also has useful information on
its website.
Telephone: 0845 345 4345
www.clsdirect.org.uk
