Claim asylum in the UK

Overview

You must apply for asylum if you want to stay in the UK as a refugee.

To be eligible you must have left your country and be unable to go back because you fear persecution.

Apply for a visa if you want to come to the UK for another reason (for example to work, study or remain with family). If you’re already in the UK and want to remain with family living here, apply for a family of a settled person visa.

You should apply when you arrive in the UK or as soon as you think it would be unsafe for you to return to your own country. Your application is more likely to be denied if you wait.

When you apply you’ll have a meeting with an immigration officer (known as a ‘screening’).

After your screening the Home Office will decide if your claim can be considered in the UK. If it can, you’ll have an asylum interview with a caseworker.

You’ll usually get a decision on your application within 6 months.

You can get up to 2 years in prison or have to leave the UK if you give false information on your application.

Waiting for your decision

You’ll be told after your screening what you must do while you’re waiting for your asylum decision, for example report to a caseworker regularly (known as ‘reporting meetings’).

You must tell the authorities if your situation changes.

You will not usually be allowed to work while your asylum claim is being considered.

Help you can get

You can get help with:

getting legal representation for your asylum claim

living in the UK while you wait for your decision

Children applying on their own

You can apply as a child on your own if you do not have an adult relative who is also claiming asylum.

Eligibility

To stay in the UK as a refugee you must be unable to live safely in any part of your own country because you fear persecution there.

If you’re stateless, your own country is the country you usually live in.

This persecution must be because of:

your race

your religion

your nationality

your political opinion

anything else that puts you at risk because of the social, cultural, religious or political situation in your country, for example, your gender, gender identity or sexual orientation

You must have failed to get protection from authorities in your own country.

When your claim might not be considered

Your claim might not be considered if you:

are from an EU country

travelled to the UK through a ‘safe third country’

have a connection to a safe third country where you could claim asylum

Generally, a safe third country is one that:

you’re not a citizen of

you would not be harmed in

would not send you on to another country where you would be harmed

Family members

You can include your partner and your children under 18 as ‘dependants’ in your application if they’re with you in the UK.

Your children under 18 and your partner can also make their own applications at the same time, but they will not be treated as your dependants.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need documents for yourself and your dependants (partner and children under 18) for your asylum screening.

Documents you should bring (if you have them) include:

passports and travel documents

police registration certificates

identification documents, for example identity cards, birth and marriage certificates or school records

anything you think will help your application

Documents to prove your UK address

If you’re already in the UK, you and your dependants must bring documents that prove your UK address.

You’ll need different documents depending on whether you’re living in your own accommodation or staying with someone else.

Living in your own accommodation

You’ll need to provide documents showing your full name and address. This could be a:

bank statement

housing benefit book

council tax notice

tenancy agreement

household bill

Staying with someone else

You’ll need to provide:

a recent letter (less than 3 months old) from the person you’re staying with to confirm you have their permission to stay

documents showing the full name and address of the person you’re staying with, like a council tax notice, tenancy agreement or household bill

Register your asylum claim

You register your asylum claim at a ‘screening’. This is a meeting with an immigration officer where you tell them about your case.

You’ll have your screening at the UK border if you claim asylum as soon as you arrive. You can also be screened once you’re in the UK if you become eligible for asylum.

At your screening you’ll:

be photographed

have your fingerprints taken

have an interview to check who you are and where you’re from

You’ll be asked why you want asylum. You can bring written evidence to support your claim if you want, as well as your identification documents.

You’ll need to say if you or your dependants are taking any medication and give any relevant medical information.

You can ask for a male or female interviewer, but your choice might not always be available.

Screening at the UK border

You must tell a Border Force officer that you want to claim asylum.

Your application will be registered and you’ll be screened - ask for an interpreter if you need one.

Screening in the UK

You must call the asylum intake unit if you’re already in the UK.

They’ll call you back and ask simple questions about you and your family. You will not be asked why you’re claiming asylum during this telephone call.

You’ll be asked if you need help with housing. You might also be asked questions relating to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The call may take up to 30 minutes.

You do not need to make an appointment if you have nowhere to live - call the asylum intake unit to find out what asylum registration location you should go to and its opening hours.

Tell the asylum intake unit if you need any other dependants on your claim to be present at any stage of your asylum registration, for example the welfare interview, or if you’re a child and need to be accompanied. You can ask to have an interpreter at your screening.

Your appointment might be in a temporary location.

Attending your appointment

Because of coronavirus, attend your appointment alone or with any dependants claiming asylum with you.

If you’re helping a child register their own asylum claim, only you can go with them to their appointment.

You must bring the documents you need for your application.

You must also bring any dependants (partner and children under 18) who are claiming asylum with you.

If you show up without an appointment, you may be asked to come back another day.

You cannot get financial help for travel to or from the asylum intake unit.

Tell the appointment service if your situation changes before your appointment date, for example if you can no longer stay where you are living.

After your screening

After your screening, the Home Office will review your case and decide whether it can be considered in the UK.

You’ll be sent an asylum registration card (ARC) to your UK address, unless you’ve been detained.

If the Home Office cannot send you an ARC immediately, they’ll send you an appointment letter telling you what to do next.

You might also be sent a ‘preliminary information questionnaire’. If you get one, fill it in and return it by the deadline - the address and deadline are written on the letter that comes with the questionnaire. If you cannot fill it in, call the Home Office asylum team. Their phone number is on the letter.

If your case can be considered in the UK, it will be given to a caseworker.

If your case cannot be considered in the UK

You may be sent to a safe country that will consider your asylum claim. This might happen if you’ve travelled to the UK through a safe third country or you have a connection with another country that you could claim asylum in.

Generally, a safe country is one that:

you’re not a citizen of

you would not be harmed in

would not send you on to another country where you would be harmed

The Home Office can decide to send you to a safe country after either your screening or your asylum interview.

If the Home Office cannot place you in another safe country, your case will be considered in the UK and given to a caseworker.

Caseworkers

You’ll have an asylum interview with your caseworker. They’ll make a decision about your application.

They’ll also explain the asylum process and tell you what to do while you wait for an asylum decision, such as go to regular reporting meetings.

You may be detained if you do not go to your reporting meetings.

Tell your caseworker if you have any special needs, for example if you have a disability or need medication.

Your ARC

The ARC shows you’ve applied for asylum. You can use it to:

show who you are

show whether you have permission to work

get health or education services

You must take your ARC with you when you go to your reporting meetings.

If you do not have your ARC

Contact the Home Office using the online form if you have any problems - for example:

you’ve not got your ARC through the post

you’ve lost it

it’s been stolen

it’s expired

You’ll be asked to give your Home Office or port reference number, and your ARC reference (if you know it).

Being detained

You may be detained at an immigration removal centre while you wait for a decision on your application.

You’ll either be:

released if you get permission to stay in the UK

held until you’re removed from the UK if you do not get permission to stay

You can also be detained and removed if it’s decided that another country is responsible for offering you asylum.

You may be able to appeal against the decision.

When you will not be detained

You will not usually be detained if:

you’re a child

you’re elderly

you’re a family with children

you’re pregnant

you’re accepted as being a victim of trafficking

you’re able to provide independent evidence of torture

you have a mental or physical condition that cannot be managed or would present a risk to others in an immigration removal centre

Asylum interview

Your asylum interview will take place soon after your screening.

Your application will usually be rejected if you do not go to your asylum interview.

You’ll get a letter telling you when and where to attend and if any of your dependants also need to be interviewed.

The interview

You’ll usually be interviewed alone, without your family members. An interpreter will be provided, if you need one.

The information you provide will be treated in confidence and will not be disclosed to the authorities in your own country.

Use this interview to explain:

how you were persecuted in your country

why you’re afraid to go back to your country

You may be asked questions about difficult topics but it’s important that you explain what has happened to you and your family.

You must tell the caseworker everything you want them to consider or it can count against you.

Bring all the evidence you have of your persecution. You may be asked to send further evidence to your caseworker after the interview, if they think it might help your application.

You should also bring your birth certificate, passport and medical records if you have them.

Your caseworker will make notes in a document called an ‘interview record’. You’ll get a copy of this at the end of the interview.

Legal representative

You can bring a legal representative to this interview, for example a lawyer or solicitor. Find out if you can get help paying for legal advice about asylum.

Your interview will take place even if your legal representative is not there. You cannot ask for more time to get a legal representative.

You can ask for this interview to be tape recorded if you do not have legal representation. Ask your caseworker at least one day before.

Get a decision

Your application will usually be decided within 6 months. It may take longer if it’s complicated, for example:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend more interviews

your personal circumstances need to be checked, for example because you have a criminal conviction or you’re currently being prosecuted

Ask your legal adviser if you want an update on your application.

You’ll be given or refused permission to stay in one of the following ways.

Permission to stay as a refugee

You and your dependants may be given permission to stay in the UK for 5 years if you qualify for asylum. This is known as ‘leave to remain’.

After 5 years, you can apply to settle in the UK.

Permission to stay for humanitarian reasons

You may get permission to stay for humanitarian reasons if you do not qualify for asylum. This means you need to stay in the UK for your protection.

You and your dependants may be given permission to stay in the UK for 5 years. This is known as ‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’.

Permission to stay for other reasons

You may get permission to stay for other reasons if you do not qualify for permission to stay as a refugee or for humanitarian reasons.

How long you can stay will depend on your situation.

You may be able to apply to extend your stay or settle in the UK towards the end of your stay.

No reason to stay

You’ll be asked to leave the UK if you do not qualify for asylum and your caseworker decides there’s no other reason for you to stay.

You may be able to appeal against the decision.

You’ll have to leave if you do not appeal in the time allowed, or if your appeal is unsuccessful. You can:

leave by yourself - you can get help with returning home

be forced to leave - you’ll get a letter before this happens, then you may be detained without warning at an immigration removal centre and then removed from the UK

Help you can get

You can get help from asylum helplines run by charities.

They can help with:

explaining your asylum claim, for example getting a solicitor or lawyer to represent you

living in the UK while your claim is being considered, for example getting asylum support, housing problems, dealing with agencies or finding English language classes and schools

Legal advice

You can get legal advice to help your asylum claim.

Housing and money

You may also be able to get housing and money (‘asylum support’) to support you and your family. This will only start from the day of your screening if you qualify.

Help returning home

You may be able to get help with returning home.

If you're under 18

This information is for children applying on their own.

If you have an adult relative who’s claiming asylum you should apply as part of that relative’s application instead.

You’re not in the care of social services

You should use the walk-in service at the asylum intake unit.

If you have an adult who is legally responsible for you

The adult who is taking responsibility for your care must attend the walk-in service at the asylum intake unit with you.

If you’re living with several relatives the closest blood relative willing to take responsibility for you must attend.

The adult must provide proof of address and photo ID (passport or driving licence).

If you do not have an adult who is legally responsible for you

You should go to the police or social services, or you can walk into the asylum intake unit.

You’re in the care of social services

You must book an appointment at the asylum intake unit by calling the appointment booking line.

You’ll need the following information when you book your appointment:

your name, date of birth and nationality

the number on your passport or national identity document, if you have one - or the number on your birth certificate if you do not

your foster carer’s name and contact details

details of any medical conditions you have

For more information read the guidance on processing asylum applications from children.


Asylum support

Overview

You may be able to get housing and money to support you and your family while you’re waiting to find out if you’ll be given asylum.

This also means your children will go to a free state school and you may get free healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS).

You can still apply for short-term support if you’ve been refused asylum and are preparing to leave the UK.

Call an asylum helpline for free help with asylum support or short-term support.

What you'll get

You can ask for somewhere to live, a cash allowance or both as an asylum seeker.

Housing

You’ll be given somewhere to live if you need it. This could be in a flat, house, hostel or bed and breakfast.

You cannot choose where you live. It’s unlikely you’ll get to live in London or south-east England.

Cash support

You’ll get £39.63 for each person in your household. This will help you pay for things you need like food, clothing and toiletries.

Your allowance will be loaded onto a debit card (ASPEN card) each week. You’ll be able to use the card to get cash from a cash machine.

If you’ve been refused asylum

You’ll be given:

somewhere to live

£39.63 per person on a payment card for food, clothing and toiletries

You will not be given:

the payment card if you do not take the offer of somewhere to live

any money

Extra money for mothers and young children

You’ll get extra money to buy healthy food if you’re pregnant or a mother of a child under 3. The amount you get will depend on your situation.

Your situation | Extra payment per week

Pregnant mother | £3

Baby under 1 year old | £5

Child aged 1 to 3 | £3

Maternity payment

You can apply for a one-off £300 maternity payment if your baby is due in 8 weeks or less, or if your baby is under 6 weeks old.

If you’ve been refused asylum

You can apply for a one-off £250 maternity payment if your baby is due in 8 weeks or less, or if your baby is under 6 weeks old.

Applying for the maternity grant

You apply for the maternity grant in the same way whether you’re still an asylum seeker or you’ve been refused asylum.

You’ll need to request form MAT B1 from your doctor to apply for the payment. You can apply for the maternity payment at the same time you apply for asylum support.

If you get pregnant after you’ve applied for asylum support, you can apply to the support team that dealt with your application for asylum support.

Healthcare

You may get free National Health Service (NHS) healthcare, such as to see a doctor or get hospital treatment.

You’ll also get:

free prescriptions for medicine

free dental care for your teeth

free eyesight tests

help paying for glasses

Education

Your children must attend school if they are aged 5 to 17. All state schools are free and your children may be able to get free school meals.

Eligibility

You can apply for asylum support if you’re homeless or do not have money to buy food.

If you’ve been refused asylum

You can ask for the following if you’re homeless, do not have any money to buy food and you can show that there’s a reason why you cannot leave the UK yet:

short-term housing

help with prescriptions for medicine, dental care for your teeth, eyesight tests and glasses

a payment card for food and toiletries

You will not be given the payment card without the housing and you will not be given any cash.

How to claim

Housing and cash support for asylum seekers

Apply using form ASF1 to claim housing and cash support.

Send the form to the asylum support casework team.

You might be able to apply for additional support if the general allowance will not cover your needs. You’ll have to show that you cannot meet your needs in any other way.

Read the guidance on additional support.

Fill in form ASF2 and contact the Asylum Support Application Service. The details are on the form.

Call an asylum helpline for help with applications.

If you’re refused asylum

You must return to your country as soon as possible if you’re refused asylum.

You can apply for short-term support using form ASF1.

You’ll need to complete a ‘section 4(2)’ medical declaration if you have a specific medical issue.

You can also apply for additional help (section 4(2) support), for example:

medical appointments

getting your new baby’s birth certificate

maternity payments

Read the guidance on section 4(2) support.

Send all forms to the asylum support casework team by email or post.

Education for children

Contact your local council if you have children and want to:

apply for a primary school place

apply for a secondary school place

Healthcare

Contact the free National Health Service (NHS) 111 service for help and advice with health problems when it’s not an emergency.

Phone NHS Help With Health Costs for help with prescriptions for medicine, dental care, eyesight tests and buying glasses.

Help and advice

Call one of the asylum helplines to get free help with filling in forms.

You can get more information about asylum support from the customer contact centre. Email for an ARC appointment.

Further information

Appeal

You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) if:

you’ve applied for asylum support and been turned down

you were claiming asylum support and it’s been stopped

Contact asylum support

You can contact Migrant Help if your application for support has been refused or you have questions about your appeal against the decision.


Refugee integration loan

Overview

You can apply for a refugee integration loan to pay for:

a rent deposit or rent

household items

education and training for work

You must be over 18 and either:

a refugee or you’ve been given humanitarian protection

a dependant of a refugee or someone who’s been given humanitarian protection

allowed to enter or stay under either of the above after 11 June 2007

The smallest amount you can borrow is £100.

Integration loans are interest-free - you only pay back what you borrow, but you must make regular payments.

Contact your local Jobcentre Plus before applying for this loan to see if you can get help with training, education, work, living or childcare costs - you may be able to get this help for free.

What you'll get

How much money you might get depends on:

your circumstances, for example any savings you have or your ability to pay back the loan

how much is available - the funds are limited and loans can vary

What you can use your loan for

You can only use the loan to help you get what’s essential to help you integrate into UK society, for example housing, education or work. This includes:

a housing deposit, rent payment or moving costs

essential items for your home

training or retraining

basic living costs while training

work clothing and equipment

What you cannot use your loan for

You cannot use the loan to pay for items including:

general living costs, for example household bills and council tax

cars, driving lessons, driving licences and fuel costs, unless it’s essential to your work

paying debts

travel costs for family members to join you in the UK

You may be asked to prove how you spent the loan. You may have to repay it in full straight away if you do not use it for the reason you said on your application.

Read the integration loans policy guidance to find out how you can use your loan.

How you're paid

Loans are usually paid into your bank or building society account in the same way as benefits.

You will be paid by Simple Payment if you cannot open a bank account, and if you already receive benefits in this way.

Repaying the loan

You’ll have to sign a repayment agreement if your application for the loan is successful.

You will not usually have to start repaying the loan until 6 weeks after you get the money.

How much your repayments are and how you pay will depend on your circumstances. For example, you may have to pay more and in a shorter time if you start working and your benefits change.

Your loan will not usually affect any income-related benefits you get unless you have more than £6,000 in savings.

You must tell Jobcentre Plus if you get an integration loan.

Eligibility

You can apply for an integration loan if you:

are a refugee

have been given humanitarian protection

are a dependant of a refugee or someone here under humanitarian protection

You can also make a joint application with your husband, wife or partner.

You cannot apply if you:

are under 18

were allowed to enter or stay as a refugee or under humanitarian protection before 11 June 2007

are an asylum seeker who’s been allowed to settle by a decision outside the Immigration Rules

have had an integration loan before, including a joint loan

Your application may be refused if you’ve been convicted of a criminal offence since you arrived in the UK.

How to apply

Read the integration loan application form guidance before you apply.

You must provide your National Insurance number - if you do not have one, you must apply for one at your local Jobcentre Plus before you apply for an integration loan.

You should also provide photocopies of documents including:

your biometric residence permit, immigration status document or passport

a bank statement or letter confirming your bank details

Download and fill in the integration loan application form. Make sure you sign it.

Scan or photograph the completed form and supporting documents and email them to integrationloan@homeoffice.gov.uk.

You cannot currently apply by post. If you sent a postal application before 20 March 2020, your application will still be reviewed. You do not need to do anything.

Get more help

Your local refugee community organisation can help you with your application and filling in the form.

You can also contact the integration loan team.


Apply for a Home Office travel document

Overview

You can apply for a document to travel outside the UK if:

you are not British

you cannot use or get a passport from your country’s national authorities

your country’s national authorities cannot give you a new passport

If you have already applied

It’s taking longer than usual to return supporting documents because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you changed address after you submitted your application, contact the Home Office immediately to let them know. If you do not, your documents may be sent to the wrong address.

Email the Home Office travel document enquiries team with ‘Change of address’ and your name in the subject line.

Eligibility

To apply you must be living in the UK because of one of the following:

you have permission to stay as a refugee or stateless person

you have humanitarian protection and it has been officially accepted that you have a fear of your country’s national authorities

you have permission to stay (known as ‘leave to remain’) or are settled in the UK (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’), but you cannot get a passport or travel document from your country’s national authorities

You must be in the UK when you apply.

Refugee travel document

You can apply for a refugee travel document if either:

you have refugee status in the UK

you originally came to the UK on a family reunion visa to join someone who has refugee status

How long it will be valid for

Your document will usually be valid for up to 10 years if you’re settled in the UK (known as having ‘indefinite leave to remain’). If you have permission to stay (known as ‘leave to remain’), your document will usually be valid up to 5 years.

If you’re 15 or under, the document will usually be valid for up to 5 years.

Countries you can travel to

You can usually travel to all countries except:

the country you’re from

any country you sought asylum from

Before you travel

Check which documents you’ll need before you book your travel.

Ask the authorities of the country you’re visiting or travelling through if:

the country accepts refugee travel documents

you need a visa to enter the country

You should also check if coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions will affect your journey.

Fees

It costs:

£75 for adults (it’s free if you were born before 1 September 1929)

£49 for children 15 or under

Stateless person’s travel document

You can apply for a stateless person’s travel document if you have been recognised as stateless in the UK.

How long it will be valid for

Countries you can travel to

You can usually travel to all countries on a stateless person’s travel document.

Before you travel

Check which documents you’ll need before you book your travel. Ask the authorities of the country you’re visiting or travelling through if:

the country accepts UK stateless person’s travel documents

you need a visa to enter the country

Fees

It costs:

£49 for children 15 or under

Certificate of travel

You can apply for a certificate of travel if one of the following is true:

you have permission to stay (known as ‘leave to remain’) or are settled in the UK (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’), and you have been refused a passport or travel document by your country’s national authorities

you are in the UK with humanitarian protection and it’s been officially accepted you have a fear of your country’s national authorities as part of your asylum application

you are in the UK on a family reunion visa because you’ve joined someone who has humanitarian protection

you were born in the UK as the child of someone with refugee status and you have permission to stay but do not have refugee status yourself

you have an important reason to travel and your country’s national authorities are unable to issue you with a passport or emergency travel document quickly

Proving you have an important reason to travel

You must provide evidence of why you need to travel urgently, as well as evidence that your passport or emergency travel document application was refused.

The following situations are examples of valid reasons why you might need to travel urgently:

essential employment, business or educational trips (but not holidays)

compelling or compassionate reasons - for example, a family member is seriously ill or has died

religious reasons

Proving you have been ‘unreasonably refused’ a travel document

Depending on your circumstances, you might need to prove that you’ve applied for a passport from your country’s national authorities and your application was ‘unreasonably refused’.

You must provide evidence of this if one of the following is true:

you do not have permission to be in the UK as a refugee or stateless person

you have humanitarian protection but it has not been officially accepted that you have a fear of your country’s national authorities

Your application is not considered ‘unreasonably refused’ if one of the following is true:

you applied incorrectly or without enough supporting evidence to confirm your identity and nationality

you are required to complete military service in your home country

you have a criminal record in your home country

you did not comply with tax rules in your home country

You do not have to prove that you’ve been ‘unreasonably refused’ a passport if one of the following is true:

you have been granted humanitarian protection and it’s been officially accepted you have a fear of your country’s national authorities

you must be in your country to apply for a passport

your country’s national authorities cannot issue passports in the UK or send an application to your own country to be processed

How long it will be valid for

A certificate of travel is usually valid either:

for up to 5 years if you’re settled in the UK (known as having ‘indefinite leave to remain’)

until the end of your permission to stay in the UK (known as having ‘leave to remain’)

It may be shorter if it’s being issued for exceptional reasons.

Countries you can travel to

You can usually travel to most countries with a certificate of travel.

If you have been given humanitarian protection because it’s been accepted you have a fear of a country’s national authorities, you cannot travel to that country.

Before you travel

the country accepts certificates of travel

you need a visa to enter the country

Fees

It costs:

£280 for adults

£141 for children 15 and under

One way travel document

You can apply for a one way travel document if you meet all of the following criteria:

you are not a British citizen

you do not have a valid passport or travel document from the country you’re from

you are not in the process of being deported from the UK

you want to leave the UK permanently

you do not have outstanding criminal proceedings in the UK

You do not need to be settled in the UK (known as having ‘leave to remain’) to apply.

How long it will be valid for

The document will be valid for 12 months from the date it’s issued.
It’s for a single journey out of the UK - you cannot use it to come back.

Before you travel

the country accepts one way travel documents

you need a visa to enter the country

Fees

It costs:

£75 for adults

£49 for children 15 and under

Family members

Each family member must apply for their own travel document separately.

If your child is not a British citizen

If your child is not a British citizen, they may be able to apply for a travel document if all of the following are true:

they have the same permission to stay in the UK as their parents

they have a biometric residence permit (BRP)

they meet the relevant eligibility criteria for the travel document they’re applying for

If your child was born in the UK

Your child may be able to become a British citizen, and be entitled to a British passport, if they were born in the UK to a parent who:

was settled in the UK (known as having ‘indefinite leave to remain’) on the date of the child’s birth

was a British citizen on the date of the child’s birth

Check if your child can become a British citizen.

How to apply

Before you apply

If you have less than 6 months’ permission to stay in the UK (known as ‘leave to remain’), you need to extend it before you apply for a travel document.

If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP), make sure it has not expired and all the details are correct before you apply for a travel document.

You’ll need to:

apply for a replacement BRP if yours has expired

contact the team that issued your BRP if your details are not correct (their contact information will be on your letter or email notification)

Apply

The type of travel document you can apply for depends on what kind of permission to stay you have - for example, if you have refugee status or are recognised as stateless.

You can find what kind of permission to stay you have on your BRP or your Home Office decision letter.

If you apply for the wrong type of travel document, your application will be refused and you will not get a refund. You’ll have to submit a new application and pay the fee if you want to apply again.

It’s taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

How to apply

To apply for a travel document you need to:

complete the online form

send supporting documents by post

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

Send supporting documents by post

You’ll be told in the online application:

which documents to send

where to send them

You’ll need to send original documents.

Do not send your BRP - you’ll need to keep this as proof of identity.

If you have a compassionate reason for travelling

If you urgently need a travel document for compassionate reasons, send additional supporting evidence by email. Compassionate reasons for travelling include:

you are seriously ill

a family member or friend is seriously ill or has died

you - or someone you care for - need to travel abroad for medical treatment that cannot be delayed

Attach a scan or photo of a letter confirming the reason for your travel. The letter must:

be from a doctor or hospital

be on headed paper

be in English, or be accompanied by a certified translation

include your name

include, where relevant, the name of the sick or dead person and their relationship to you

You can send a death certificate but it must be accompanied by the letter confirming the reason for your travel.

Where to send your supporting email

Send your email with supporting evidence to the Home Office travel document enquiries team.

Put ‘New application enquiry – urgent compassionate case’ and your name in the subject line.

Withdrawing your application

You can withdraw your application at any time. In most cases you will not get a refund.

You might be able to get a refund of your application fee if both of the following are true:

you withdraw your application within 7 days of submitting it

you do not need to provide biometric information or go to a visa application centre as part of your application

Email the Home Office travel document enquiries team to withdraw your application.

Report your lost or stolen travel document

If your travel document is lost or stolen, you must report it to the Home Office. Email the Home Office travel document enquiries team with:

your name

your date of birth

your nationality

If you have them, you must also provide your:

travel document number

Home Office reference number

biometric residence permit (BRP) number

police report and crime reference number

Reporting your document as lost or stolen does not mean that you have requested a new one.

You must also report and replace a lost or stolen BRP if you had one.

Replace your document

You can only apply for a new travel document if you are in the UK.

You may be asked to confirm your identity and immigration status with biometric data before you can get your new document.

If you lose your travel document outside the UK

You will have to apply for a visa to return to the UK.

If you’ve been away for less than 2 years, you can get a replacement BRP visa.

If you’ve been away from the UK for over 2 years, and you had indefinite leave to remain, you can apply online for a returning resident visa.

You’ll get a temporary travel document if you are allowed to return. You may have to give your fingerprints to confirm your identity.

When you’re back in the UK, you can apply to replace your travel document.


Appeal an asylum support decision

Overview

You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) if:

you’ve applied for asylum support and been turned down

you were claiming asylum support and it’s been stopped

The tribunal must receive your appeal within 3 days of you getting the letter about the decision - you may be able to carry on claiming asylum support (if you were already getting it) while you appeal.

The tribunal is independent of government. A judge will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision.

Help you can get

You may want to get help and advice before you appeal.

Contact the Asylum Support Appeals Project for free advice and legal representation if you have an appeal at the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support).

You can contact British Red Cross, Refugee Action and Refugee Council for advice and support - they may be able to find another organisation near to you.

You can also get other legal advice, including from a lawyer.

Apply to the tribunal

Download and fill in a ‘notice of appeal’ form. You must include:

why you’re appealing (your ‘grounds of appeal’)

a copy of the decision you’re appealing against

any documents that help support your appeal

why your appeal is late (if it is)

whether you’d like a ‘paper’ or ‘oral’ hearing

Because of coronavirus, most hearings are paper hearings. These are based on documents only. If a judge decides that an oral hearing is required, it will most likely be held by phone or video link.

Read guidance on how cases are affected by coronavirus.

If a judge decides you have to go to an oral hearing in person, you’ll need to travel to London. The Home Office will pay for you to get there (usually by train). You’ll get free accommodation the night before if you have far to travel.

Send the form

Post, email or fax the notice of appeal form to HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The contact details are on the form.

Because of coronavirus, it’s taking longer than usual for staff to reply to forms sent by post.

Call the helpline if you have any questions about completing the form. The helpline cannot give you legal advice.

After you send your appeal

You’ll normally find out within a week of sending the form:

whether the tribunal will consider your case

whether the tribunal needs more information, for example if your appeal was late

You’ll then be told when your hearing will take place, and whether it’s paper or oral.

If you have an oral hearing, you’ll be told a few days before the hearing what documents to bring with you - or to send by post in advance. The letter will also tell you if the tribunal wants to call up any witnesses - you must contact them and make sure they appear at the hearing.

You’ll usually get the decision at the hearing.

If you need to send more information

If the tribunal asks you to send more information before the hearing, you may need to discuss this with a casework team.

Contact the Section 95 casework team if you’re an asylum seeker.

Contact the Section 4 casework team if you’ve been refused asylum.

What happens at the hearing

What happens at the hearing depends on whether you have a paper or oral hearing.

Paper hearing

You will not go to a paper hearing. A judge will make a decision based on:

your notice of appeal form

your documents

documents provided by the Home Office

Oral hearing

Because of coronavirus, oral hearings will most likely be held via phone or video link.

You’ll present your case to the judge - someone else can do this for you, for example a lawyer, friend or family member. The Home Office will present the case against you.

The tribunal will provide you with an interpreter if you’ve asked for one. They can translate what happens during the tribunal but they cannot represent you or give you legal advice.

You may be asked questions by:

your legal representative (if you have one)

the Home Office’s representative

the judge

The hearing is public. Family and friends can attend. If the hearing is in person, they’ll have to pay their own travel costs unless they are witnesses.

Children can only attend if you cannot make childcare arrangements. They can either:

wait in the waiting room with your family or friends

be with you during the hearing

Get a decision

You’ll get the decision either:

at the oral hearing (if you have one) - you’ll also get full written reasons within 3 days

by post the day after the paper hearing

The judge will either:

allow the appeal - this means you’ll either get asylum support, or carry on getting it

turn down (‘dismiss’) your appeal

ask the Home Office to look at the decision again (known as ‘remitting’ the appeal)

The judge’s decision is final - you cannot appeal again.

You may be able to get a judicial review of the decision if your appeal was turned down and you think the judge did not follow the law correctly. Talk to a solicitor as soon as possible.

You cannot complain about the decision - you can only complain about the tribunal staff and the way the hearing took place.

Legislation and previous decisions

Read the rules the tribunal must follow and its decisions on previous cases.

Previous decisions

Search the decisions database to see how and why previous decisions have been made.

Legislation

The tribunal will make a decision based on:

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002

The tribunal must follow the rules and process in the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008 and Amendments to the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008.

Failed asylum seekers

section 4, Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Immigration and Asylum Regulations 2005

If asylum support was stopped while the application was being considered

section 95, Immigration and Asylum 1999

Asylum Support Regulations 2000


Ask for a visa administrative review

If you're outside the UK

You’ll be told in your application refusal letter if you can ask for the decision on your visa application to be reviewed. This is known as an ‘administrative review’.

You can only ask for an administrative review if all of the following apply:

you’re outside the UK

you applied outside the UK

your application was refused on or after 6 April 2015

you do not have a right of appeal against the refusal

you did not make an application as a short term student or a visitor (except if you applied as an S2 Healthcare Visitor)

There’s a different way to ask for an administrative review if you applied:

to the EU Settlement Scheme

as a Frontier Worker

as an S2 Healthcare Visitor

as a Service Provider from Switzerland

How to apply

You must apply for an administrative review within 28 days of getting the decision. It costs £80.

You can apply online.

You’ll usually receive the result of the administrative review within 28 calendar days.

You cannot request a second review (unless the result of the first review found new reasons why you were refused).

Withdraw your request

Your request for an administrative review will be withdrawn (cancelled) if you make any other immigration or visa application.

Your request will be rejected if you ask for a review of a previous decision after submitting a new application.

You can email the Home Office and ask for your request to be withdrawn.

You must include your name, date of birth, nationality and your Global Web Form (GWF) reference number.

Your GWF reference number was given to you when you first applied. You can find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

If you're in the UK

You can ask for your application to be reviewed if one of the following apply:

your application was refused

You may be able to appeal if you’re not eligible for an administrative review.

to the EU Settlement Scheme

as a Frontier Worker

as an S2 Healthcare Visitor

as a Service Provider from Switzerland

Apply for administrative review

If your application was refused, you must apply for an administrative review within 14 days of getting the decision.

Your refusal letter will tell you how to apply. You may be able to apply online. It costs £80.

You must apply within 7 days if you’ve been detained.

If your application was granted but you’re unhappy with the amount or conditions of your leave, you must email the Home Office within 14 days of getting your biometric residence permit.

Contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if you have a general enquiry about immigration.

Get a decision

The decision will be checked for the errors you point out. Do not send new information or documents for review unless you’ve been asked to.

You’ll usually receive the result of the administrative review within 28 days. You cannot request a second review (unless the result included new reasons why you were refused).

If your visa’s expired, you will not usually be removed from the UK until your review has been completed.

Withdraw your request

Your request for an administrative review will be withdrawn (cancelled) if you:

ask for your passport back so you can travel

leave the UK

You can also email the Home Office and ask for your request to be withdrawn.

You must include your name, date of birth, nationality and either your administrative review payment reference number or Home Office reference number in your email.

If your visa was cancelled at the border

You’ll be told in your decision letter if you can ask for the decision to cancel your visa to be reviewed. This is known as an ‘administrative review’.

You can ask for the decision to be reviewed if your visa was cancelled for one or more of the following reasons:

there has been a change in your circumstances

you gave false information

you failed to include relevant facts

Apply for administrative review

Your letter will tell you how to apply. It costs £80.

If you were given temporary admission to the UK

You must apply for an administrative review within 14 days of your visa being cancelled or 7 days if you are detained. You need to do this from the UK.

If your visa was cancelled at border controls outside the UK

You must apply for an administrative review within 28 days of your visa being cancelled in any of the following cities:

Paris

Brussels

Dunkirk

Coquelles

Calais

Lille

Get a decision

The decision will be checked for the errors you point out. Do not send new information or documents unless you’ve been asked to.

You’ll usually receive the result of the administrative review within 28 days. You cannot request a second review (unless the result included new reasons for the cancellation of your leave).

If you’re in the UK, you will not usually be removed until your review has been completed.

Withdraw your request

leave the UK


Find an immigration removal centre

Overview

You can visit someone in an immigration removal centre or short term holding facility.

You’ll be given a surgical mask when you arrive at the immigration removal centre that you must wear, unless you are exempt.

You must also follow social distancing guidelines while you’re at the centre.

Check with the centre:

what the visiting hours are

if you need to book an appointment

what ID you need

what items you’re allowed to take with you - you may be searched when you arrive

You may be able to contact someone in a removal centre by phone, email or video call. Contact the immigration removal centre to check.

Brook House, Gatwick

Visiting hours are 2pm to 5:30pm and 6pm to 9pm each day. Last admission is at 8.30pm.

You must book at least one day in advance, between 8am and 9pm.

You must bring the following:

passport or travel document

driving licence (paper and photo sections)

Or you can bring 2 of the following:

birth or marriage certificate

rail or bus pass with photo

employer’s ID or student card with photo

young person’s proof of age card

trade union membership card

older person’s bus pass

benefits book

application registration card (ARC)

There’s a free bus service from Atlantic House to Brook House with a stop at Tinsley House. The pick-up point is in front of Atlantic House, just outside Gatwick South Terminal.

There’s a free on-site car park. If you use a sat nav, use the street name Perimeter Road South, not the postcode.

Colnbrook, Middlesex

Visiting hours are 2pm to 9pm each day.

You must bring the following:

photo ID (passport or driving licence)

utility bill showing your name and address

Dungavel House, South Lanarkshire

Visiting hours are 1:30pm to 8:30pm.

You must bring 1 type of photo ID (passport, driving licence), or 2 of the following:

birth or marriage certificate

rail or bus pass with photo

employer’s ID or student card

young person’s proof of age card

trade union membership card

older person’s bus pass

There’s a free bus service between Hamilton bus and train station and Dungavel House.

Harmondsworth, Middlesex

Visiting hours are 2pm to 9pm each day.

You must bring the following:

photo ID (a passport or driving licence)

Larne House short term holding facility, Antrim

Visiting hours are 2pm to 9pm each day – you must book in advance.

You must bring the following:

photo ID (passport or driving licence)

Morton Hall, Lincolnshire

Visiting hours are:

1:30pm to 4:15pm every day except Thursday

1:30pm to 8:15pm on Thursday

You must book in advance.

You must bring the following:

photo ID (passport or driving licence)

utility bill or bank statement, less than 3 months old, showing your name and address

You can use a free taxi service available to and from Lincoln and Newark rail stations. You must book at least 24 hours in advance on 01522 666 819.

Manchester short term holding facility

Visiting hours are 2pm to 9pm each day. You must book in advance.

You must bring the following:

photo ID (passport or driving licence)

Follow the signs to World Freight Terminal. Building 302 is on the right hand side of the road.

Tinsley House, Gatwick

Visiting hours are 2pm to 5.30pm and 6pm to 9pm each day. Last admission is at 8:30pm.

Everyone who visits must have ID, including children. You must bring one of the following:

passport or travel document

Or you can bring 2 of the following:

birth or marriage certificate

rail or bus pass with photo

employer’s ID or student card

young person’s proof of age card

trade union membership card

older person’s bus pass

benefits book

application registration card (ARC)

There’s a free bus service from Atlantic House to Tinsley House with a stop at Brook House. The pick-up point is in front of Atlantic House, just outside Gatwick South Terminal.

Yarl's Wood, Bedfordshire

Visiting hours are 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 9pm each day.

You must book at least one day in advance.

You must bring the following:

photo ID (passport or driving licence)

There’s a bus service between Bedford station and Yarl’s Wood.


Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK

Overview

You can get help to return to your home country. This is known as ‘voluntary return’.

If you are eligible, the voluntary returns service can:

explain your options for returning home

help you get travel documents, such as a passport

pay for travel tickets, if you are unable to

You can still get help if you’re already making your own plans to return to your home country.

You may also be eligible to apply for financial support of up to £3,000, which you can use to find somewhere to live, find a job or start a business in your home country.

Who can get help

You can usually apply for help to return home (‘voluntary return’) if any of the following are true:

you’re in the UK illegally or have overstayed your visa or permission to stay

you’ve withdrawn, or want to withdraw, your application to stay in the UK

you’ve made a claim for asylum in the UK

you have a letter from UK Visas and Immigration confirming you’re a victim of modern slavery

When you cannot apply

You cannot apply for voluntary return if you:

are currently being investigated by the police or detained by the Home Office

have been given a prison sentence that’s 12 months or longer

have been convicted of an immigration offence and given a deportation order

have already been given humanitarian protection, indefinite leave to remain or refugee status in the UK

have a Service Providers from Switzerland visa

have a Frontier Worker permit

have an S2 Healthcare Visitor visa

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

You cannot apply for voluntary return if you either:

applied for, or have, settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme - even if you withdraw your application

started living in the UK before 1 January 2021 and meet the ‘right to reside’ criteria

Who can get financial support

The voluntary returns service can provide up to £3,000 in financial support to help you after you leave the UK. If you are eligible, you will receive a single payment on a card before you leave the UK. You can only use the card in your home country.

You can apply for financial support if any of the following are true:

you are returning to a ‘developing country’, as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

your claim for asylum in the UK has been refused

you’re part of a family group that will travel together, including someone under 18 years old

you’re under 18 and travelling alone

you’re under 21 and a care leaver

you’re sleeping rough

you need more help with your return - for example, because you have a medical condition

Contact the voluntary returns service if you’re not sure whether or not you’re eligible.

How to apply

To apply online for help to return to your home country you’ll need:

your address in the UK

an email address

You cannot apply if you’ve booked a flight to leave the UK in the next 7 days.

Apply for help online to return to your home country.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have access to the internet or a device

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

If you cannot apply online

Contact the voluntary returns service.

What happens next

The Home Office will contact you within 3 days to let you know they’ve received your application.

You might need to provide further information to support your application. Your application can be cancelled if you do not do this.

If your passport or travel document is being held by the Home Office, it will be returned to you at the airport when you leave the UK.


Registered Traveller: faster entry through the UK border

Overview

The Registered Traveller service can help you get through the UK border faster.

Registered Travellers can use UK channels at some airports and train stations. You can use:

UK passport entry lanes

ePassport gates - if your passport has a ‘chip’

You’ll need to carry your visa or biometric residence permit, if you have one.

You can no longer use the Registered Traveller service if you’re from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States. You may be able to use the ePassport gates instead.

Eligibility

To apply for Registered Traveller membership, you must be 18 or older and have an eligible passport.

You must also either:

have a UK visa or entry clearance

have visited the UK at least 4 times in the last 24 months

It counts as visiting when you enter the UK from another country. It does not count if you’re just passing through the UK on your way to another country.

Eligible passports

Africa

Botswana, Namibia, Seychelles.

Asia

Brunei, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region passports only), Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Taiwan (if your passport has a personal ID number on the photo page).

Europe

Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City State.

Middle East

Israel.

North America

Bahamas, Mexico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Oceania

Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga.

South and Central America

Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay.

Where you can use Registered Traveller

You can use the service at the following airports:

Birmingham

Bristol

Cardiff

East Midlands

Edinburgh

Gatwick

Glasgow

Heathrow

London City

Luton

Manchester

Southend

Stansted

You can use the service at the following Eurostar terminals:

Brussels

Lille

Paris

How to apply

Before you apply, check you’re eligible.

Apply online for Registered Traveller membership. You’ll need your passport number and expiry date. It costs £70 and and lasts 12 months.

You’ll get a decision on your application within 10 working days. You’ll get £50 back if your application is unsuccessful.

If your application is accepted, the next time you travel to the UK you must go through the ‘other passports’ lane.

The immigration officer will check that you meet the criteria and tell you if you can become a member. Your 12 month membership will start on the day you submitted your application.

Renew or update your membership

It costs £50 to renew your Registered Traveller membership for another year.

It costs £20 to update your passport details if you get a new passport. You must do this before you travel to the UK.

You must also update your details if your visa or immigration status changes. There’s no fee to do this.

You can also renew or update your child’s membership.

Add children to your membership

You can apply to add your children to your Registered Traveller membership if you have 29 days or more left on it.

Once your child is added to your membership, you can both use the UK passport lanes together.

You will not be able to use the ePassport gates.

Your child’s membership will expire at the same time as yours. You’ll need to renew or update your and your child’s memberships separately.

Once you’ve added the child to your membership, they can also travel with their other parent as long as they’re also a member. Before they travel together, you’ll need to email the Home Office with full names and Registered Traveller numbers for:

you

your child

your child’s other parent

Home Office Registered Traveller service
rtinbox@homeoffice.gov.uk

Eligibility

Your child must:

be 17 or under

have an eligible passport

have a visa or entry clearance, if they’re not applying as a visitor

Fee

You must pay a £20 administration fee to apply for each child, plus a membership fee. This is worked out as £2 a month until your membership expires.

You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.

You’ll get the membership fee back if your application is unsuccessful. You will not get the £20 administration fee back.

How to apply

You must apply and pay for each child separately.

You’ll need your:

• Registered Traveller number
• child’s passport number and expiry date

Renew or update your child’s membership

You’ll need to sign in with your child’s Registered Traveller number and date of birth to renew or update their membership.

You’ll have to pay a membership fee to renew your child’s membership, which is worked out as £2 a month until your membership expires.

It costs £20 to update your child’s passport details if they get a new passport. You must do this before your child travels to the UK.

You must also update your child’s details if their visa or immigration status changes. There’s no fee to do this.

When you travel to the UK

If your application is successful, the first time you and your child travel to the UK you must both go through the ‘other passports’ lane together.

You might need to prove the relationship between you and any children travelling with you, for example if you have different surnames.

You can do this with:

• a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship to the child
• a divorce or marriage certificate if you’re the parent but have a different surname to the child

The immigration officer will then confirm your child has been added to your membership. You’ll get a confirmation email within 48 hours.


Appeal a decision against financial assistance for a reservist

Appeal to the tribunal

You can appeal to the Reserve Forces Appeal Tribunals (RFAT) if your claim for financial assistance has been turned down.

The tribunal must receive your appeal within 5 days of you getting the decision letter or your application will be rejected.

If you’re going to miss the deadline and have a valid reason for doing so, then say why in your notice of appeal. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances.

The tribunal is independent of government. A judge will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision.

Help you can get

Contact RFAT or your legal representative if you have any questions about appealing. RFAT cannot give you legal advice.

You can find legal advice, including from a lawyer.

How to appeal

Write a letter called a ‘notice of appeal’ to the Secretary of Tribunals.

You must include:

your name, address and telephone number

a statement that it’s a ‘notice of appeal’

the grounds for appealing the decision

what you want the tribunal to decide (known as the ‘determination’)

whether you want to attend the hearing

whether you’ll be legally represented

the names and addresses of any witnesses

You’ll need to include:

a copy of the decision you’re appealing

all documents that were part of your original application

any relevant documents that were not part of your original application and the reasons why they were not included

Send your letter

You can email, fax, post or deliver your notice of appeal in person to:

After you send your appeal

You’ll be told straight away when your appeal has been received.

You’ll also be given:

a case name

a case number

an address for sending any further letters and documents to the tribunal

a hearing date

You’ll normally find out within a week of sending your notice of appeal:

whether the tribunal will consider your case

whether the Armed Forces opposes the appeal and why

if the tribunal needs more information

You’ll get another letter a few days before the hearing telling you what documents to bring with you, or send by post in advance.

Witnesses

The tribunal may suggest witnesses. You must contact them and make sure they appear at the hearing.

The tribunal can force witnesses to appear at the hearing if you’re unable to do it yourself - the tribunal will tell you how.

What happens at a tribunal hearing

What happens at the hearing

You (or your legal representative) will present your case to the tribunal. An ‘adjudication officer’ will represent the Armed Forces.

Both sides can to give evidence, call witnesses, question witnesses and make statements to the tribunal.

If neither side wants to attend a hearing, a decision will be made without a hearing. This is called a ‘paper hearing’.

You and any witnesses who attend a hearing may be able to claim for expenses you have, for example accommodation or travel.

Hearings are usually held in public.

The tribunal’s decision

You may get a decision at the end of the hearing. You’ll also get a written copy sent to you.

If a decision’s not made at the hearing, you’ll get a letter telling you the decision within 1 month. This is known as a ‘reserved’ decision.

If you're unhappy with the tribunal's decision

You cannot appeal if you lose the case.

In exceptional circumstances, you may be able to ask for the tribunal to review its decision, for example if:

new evidence becomes available

the Secretary of Tribunals made a mistake in the proceedings

someone had the right to attend the hearing but could not, and had a valid reason for doing so

something else has gone wrong that’s made the process or decision unfair (known as a review ‘in the interests of justice’)

You can get legal advice, including from a lawyer if you need help.

Write to the Secretary of Tribunals within 5 days of getting the decision.

What happens next

The tribunal can:

‘set aside’ the decision - this means you’ll have another hearing

change the decision

Legislation

The tribunal must follow the rules and process in:

the Reserve Forces Appeal Tribunals Rules 1997

Part IX of the Reserve Forces Act 1996

The tribunal will make a decision based on the Reserve Forces (Call-out and Recall) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2005.


Rights and responsibilities for reservists and employers

Introduction

Members of the reserve armed forces (reservists) and their employers have certain rights and responsibilities when a reservist:

joins up or starts a new job

is called up for service (mobilised)

returns to work

Financial support is available for both employers and reservists when they’re called up.

Time off for training

Employers do not have to allow time off for training, but may choose to.

Training for reservists is usually made up of:

one evening a week

several weekends throughout the year

a 15-day training course each year

Find employers that support reservists.

Redundancy

Reservists cannot be made redundant due to training or mobilisation. They must be treated the same as other employees if there are redundancies because of closure or business problems.

How the employer is notified

Reservists need to give their employer’s details to their commanding officer. Employers then usually get a letter from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) within 5 weeks of an employee signing up.

MOD does not contact employers in Northern Ireland, but reservists still need to give details of their employer to their commanding officer.

Reservists only have to tell their employer themselves if it’s a condition of their job that they do not take any other work.

When an existing reservist changes jobs

Reservists should tell their commanding officer, who’ll tell the new employer.

Asking MOD not to tell an employer

Reservists can ask MOD not to tell their employer if they have a good reason, for example it would put them at a disadvantage if their employer knew.

Apply to your commanding officer for an ‘employer notification waiver’. The waiver lasts for 12 months, but you can apply to renew it.

If the reservist is called up

In most cases the reservist will get 28 days’ notice when they’re called up (mobilised). They should let their employer know as soon as possible.

Mobilisation

Reservists will be sent a ‘call-out notice’ if they’re needed for full-time service. This is known as ‘mobilisation’.

You must answer your call-out notice - the letter will tell you what to do.

In most cases, reservists get 28 days’ notice, but they could get less if they’re needed urgently.

As a reservist, you should tell your employer as soon as possible when you know you’re being mobilised. Employers will also be sent a pack about their rights and responsibilities.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance is available for both reservists and employers.

Reservists’ rights

Employers can be fined in court and made to pay compensation if they end a reservist’s employment because of mobilisation.

After service, reservists have a right to return to the same job.

Apply to delay or cancel mobilisation

You can apply to delay or cancel mobilisation:

as a reservist, if you’re called up at a difficult time (for example, you’re caring for someone or you’re in full-time education)

as an employer, if it would seriously harm your business (for example, by causing financial harm or making it difficult to produce goods or provide services)

You can apply to:

defer mobilisation for up to a year - you’ll get a new date to report for duty

get an exemption for a year or more - you will not be called out again until it expires

cancel (revoke) mobilisation if you’ve already been mobilised

Deadline for applying

Reservists and employers must apply within 7 days of getting the call-out notice. If you miss this deadline, you’ll have to get permission from the adjudication officer to make a late application.

If your application is unsuccessful you can appeal.

Who to contact

If you’ve already been mobilised contact your commanding officer.

To apply to delay or cancel mobilisation, contact one of the following:

the person named in the notice

the adjudication officer at the mobilisation centre

the adjudication officer for the service

Apply in writing by email, post or fax.

Financial support for reservists

If you’re called up for service you can claim financial support to cover:

the difference between your civilian pay and your service pay

the cost of any benefits in kind your employer stops

The total amount you can claim is £400 a day.

If you’re serving as a medical consultant with the defence medical services, you can claim up to £822 a day.

Company benefits

You can claim for benefits normally provided by your employer, including:

health insurance or medical care

life insurance

education fees for dependent children

accommodation

If you have to return a company car that’s used by your partner (for example, husband or wife), children or dependent relatives, you can claim £10.70 a day (around £325 a month).

Pension contributions

While you’re mobilised you can either:

ask for the days you’re mobilised to count towards the Armed Forces Pension Scheme

keep contributing to your personal or work pension (the Ministry of Defence will pay your employer’s contributions)

If you’re self-employed

If you’re self-employed, a partner or a company director, you can claim for:

the difference between your service pay and earnings from your business

up to £2,000 business costs from stopping trading

agency fees and advertising for finding and training your replacement

Expenses you cannot claim

You cannot claim for expenses that you were already paying before you were mobilised. For example, you cannot claim for:

care of a dependent child or relative

care of a pet

house insurance

maintenance on your home

How to claim

Employees get instructions about how to claim in the mobilisation pack.

If you’re self-employed, a partner or a company director, use the claim form for employers.

When to claim

You can claim any time after your service begins and up to 4 weeks after it ends.

Appeal a rejected claim

You can appeal if your claim is turned down.

Financial support for employers

You can claim financial support if a reservist you employ is called up.

Do not pay their salary or pension contributions while they’re away - the Ministry of Defence (MOD) pays these costs. You’ll need to make changes in your payroll system.

You can apply to delay or cancel mobilisation if it will seriously harm your business.

What you can get

You can claim financial assistance to cover:

the cost of a temporary replacement if it’s more than the reservist’s salary (up to £110 a day)

advertising costs and agency fees for finding a replacement

a period of handover and takeover (5 days before and after mobilisation)

75% of the cost of specialist clothing for the replacement (up to £300)

training costs for the replacement (up to £2,000)

overtime, if other employees cover the work

training the reservist needs to carry on their job when they return

Extra support for small and medium-sized businesses

You can claim £500 a month in addition to the costs of replacing and retraining the reservist unless both of the following apply:

your annual turnover was more than £25.9 million in the 12 months before the reservist was called up

you had more than 250 employees or partners on the date of mobilisation

These are known as employer incentive payments.

What you cannot claim for

You cannot claim for:

loss of profits, turnover or goodwill

your reservist’s salary or pension contributions if you keep paying them

How to claim

Download and fill in the claim form. Print it out, sign it and either scan and email it or post it. The addresses are on the form.

When to claim

You can claim before the reservist leaves, but you will not get a payment until they’ve started service. You cannot claim later than 4 weeks after the last day of their service.

You can claim for costs as they arise - you do not have to claim for them all at once.

Costs for training should be claimed within 8 weeks of the end of the training.

Help for employers

If you need further help, email Defence Relationship Management (DRM).

Payroll reporting for employers

You’ll need to make some changes in your payroll software if your reservist is mobilised.

If their service will be less than 12 months

Once they’ve started their service:

put ‘Yes’ in the ‘Irregular payment pattern indicator’ in the next Full Payment Submission (FPS) you send to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

change their tax code to ‘BR M1’ if they’re paid monthly, or ‘BR W1’ if it’s weekly

If their service will be more than 12 months

Put a leaving date in your FPS and give them a P45. When they’re back from service, give them a new payroll ID.

Do not put a leaving date in your FPS or give them a P45 if their service was due to be less than 12 months but lasted longer.

Returning to work

After service, reservists are given a period of leave. If they want to return to work before the end of their leave they must get permission from either their commanding officer or the demobilisation centre.

Employers cannot force a reservist to return to work before their leave finishes.

Notice of returning to work

Reservists should write to their employer as soon as they know when they can return to work. This must be no later than the third Monday after their last day of service.

Employers must re-employ them as soon as they’re able to.

Returning to the same job

Reservists are entitled to return to the same type of job they were doing before they were mobilised, on the same terms and conditions.

If the job no longer exists, they’re entitled to a reasonable alternative.

How long reservists must be re-employed for

Employers must offer reservists employment for a certain amount of time, depending on how long they were employed by them before mobilisation.

Weeks of employment before mobilisation | Number of weeks reservist must be re-employed for

Up to 13 | At least 13

Between 13 and 51 | At least 26

52 weeks or more | At least 52

Problems returning to work

If you are not re-employed you can apply to a tribunal. They can instruct your former employer to re-employ you or award you financial compensation.

Write to the tribunal if, after telling your employer you’re returning to work:

you do not hear back from them

they will not re-employ you

they offer you a job you’re not happy with


Send mail with the British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

Find a BFPO number

You can use the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) if you’re sending mail to:

serving armed forces personnel and their families

You should only use BFPO to send mail to someone you know - there are other ways to support members of the armed forces.

Check for updates to postal services, including changes to services because of Christmas, coronavirus or problems like severe weather or industrial action.

BFPO numbers

See a list of all BFPO locations with their numbers and postcodes.

Only use postcodes when ordering items from UK-based websites.

How to address BFPO mail

Write the address clearly in capital letters, keeping exactly to the format for the role of the person you’re posting to.

Write a return address on the back of the mail.

Use a BFPO postcode if you’re ordering goods online, or a BFPO number for anything else.

If you use a BFPO postcode instead of a BFPO number, it’ll still arrive but it may take longer.

Write ‘GB’ after the BFPO number or postcode if you’re posting mail from outside the UK.

Your mail may be delayed or sent to the wrong place if you:

include the location (such as the town or country) in the address when using a BFPO number

write anything else on the packaging

Address format for service personnel

Address format for family

Use this format if the item is for a dependant of a serving member of HM Forces.

Address format for non-service personnel

Use this format if the item is for an employee of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), or another official organisation, who’s entitled to use BFPO.

Customs declarations

You’ll need to make a customs declaration if you’re sending something outside of the UK.

Parcels up to 2kg are delivered by Royal Mail. You must include:

form CN22 - for contents worth up to £270

form CN23 - for contents worth more than £270

Parcels over 2kg and up to 30kg are delivered by Parcelforce. You must include a form PFU 509/CP72 with these - get one from your local Post Office.

Cost, size and weight

The cost of using British Forces Post Office (BFPO) depends on the size and weight of the letter or parcel you’re sending.

Standard letter

Length: up to 240mm
Width: up to 165mm
Thickness: up to 5mm

Weight range | Cost

Up to 100g | £0.85

Large letter

Length: up to 353mm
Width: up to 250mm
Thickness: up to 25mm

Weight range | Cost

Up to 100g | £1.29

101g to 250g | £1.83

251g to 500g | £2.39

501g to 750g | £3.30

Small parcels

Length: up to 450mm
Width: up to 350mm
Thickness: up to 160mm

Weight range | Cost

Up to 1,000g | £3.85

1,001g to 2,000g | £5.57

If you’re sending a cylindrical parcel, double the diameter and add this to the length. The total cannot be more than 1,040mm. The biggest dimension cannot be more than 900mm.

Medium parcels (Royal Mail)

The medium parcels service is available at Forces Post Offices and UK Post Office branches.

Add up the length, width and depth. This cannot be more than 900mm.

Weight range | Cost

Up to 1kg | £6

1.1kg to 2kg | £9.02

Up to to 5kg | £15.85

5.1kg to 10kg | £21.90

10.1kg to 20kg | £33.40

Worldwide parcels (ParcelForce)

There are certain size and weight restrictions depending on which service you choose and where you’re sending your parcel.

Maximum weight | Cost

2kg | £9

5kg | £11.60

10kg | £13.45

15kg | £19.35

20kg | £23.75

25kg | £34.20

30kg | £37.45

Enduring families free mail service (EFFMS)

Families and friends in UK and BFPOs can send packets of up to 2kg, free of charge, to service personnel in certain operations and HM Ships.

Read more about the enduring families free mail service.

Compensation, insurance and special delivery

Read the guidance on claiming compensation for items that are lost or damaged.

What you cannot send

You cannot send some items with British Forces Post Office mail, including:

alcoholic beverages

arms and ammunition

batteries

Christmas crackers

financial documents

fragile items

indecent, obscene or offensive articles

prescription medicines and drugs sent for scientific purposes

pressurised containers (including aerosols like deodorants and shaving foams or gels)

sharp objects and instruments (including scissors and kitchen knives or utensils)

Read the detailed guidance for the full list of items you cannot send.

If you send these items, your whole parcel may be delayed or returned to you.

Buying goods online

You can use the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) to order goods from certain UK-based online retailers.

See the list of retailers in this scheme.

Read the disclaimer and additional information if you want to use a company that is not on the list of approved retailers.

Send an INtouch message

The INtouch service has been discontinued and is no longer available.

You can send letters using the enduring families free mail service (EFFMS).

Contacts and enquiries

Read the guidance about what to do if your mail has not arrived within 30 days.

Other ways to get support

BFPO is also on:

Twitter

Facebook


War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal

Overview

You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber) if you disagree with a decision about your war pension or compensation.

You must appeal within 1 year of getting your decision letter.

The tribunal is independent of government and will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision.

There are different tribunals in Scotland and tribunals in Northern Ireland.

Decisions the tribunal can make

The tribunal will decide whether your injury was caused or made worse by serving in the armed forces.

If it was, it can then make decisions about:

your entitlement to a pension or compensation

how much pension you get

your entitlement to extra allowances, for example for mobility needs

pension start dates

withheld pensions

The tribunal deals with appeals for the 2 pension schemes currently running, which are:

the War Pensions Scheme - for injuries caused or made worse by service before 6 April 2005

the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme - for injuries caused by service from 6 April 2005 onwards

Help you can get

You may want to get legal help or advice before you appeal.

You may also be able to get help from organisations including:

Combat Stress

Blesma: The Limbless Veterans

Burma Star Association

National Gulf Veterans and Families Association (NGVFA)

Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA)

Royal British Legion (RBL)

Soldiers Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association Forces Help (SSAFA)

UK Armed Forces Charities

How to appeal

You should appeal within one year of getting your decision letter.

Before you appeal

Write a letter to Veterans UK and ask them to reconsider their decision. Explain why you think the decision is wrong and give any information not included in your original claim.

They will look at your case again and write to you with their decision.

Veterans UK was previously known as the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA).

If you’re still unhappy

Contact the Veterans UK helpline and ask for an appeal form to take your case to the tribunal. Fill it in and send it back to Veterans UK.

Call if you need help filling in the form.

Late appeals

In some cases you’ll be allowed to appeal after one year, but you must explain why your appeal is late. You cannot appeal against any decision after 2 years.

After you appeal

Veterans UK will send the response to your appeal to the tribunal - you’ll get a copy of the response. The response will contain information given in your claim and the evidence used to make the decision under appeal, such as medical reports that you may regard as confidential.

You can choose to reply in writing (a ‘written submission’) explaining why you disagree with the facts they used - you must do this within one month of receiving the copy.

The tribunal will look at your case and ask for more information if they need it.

You can also send any other evidence to support your case to the tribunal.

The tribunal will tell you if there’ll be a hearing about your case.

The tribunal hearing

Hearings are usually held in major cities across England and Wales. You’ll be told where you have to go.

The tribunal will give you at least 14 days’ notice of the date of any hearing. You should be given a hearing within 4 months of the tribunal receiving a response from Veterans UK.

You must tell the tribunal if you cannot make it to the hearing - they might arrange another date if you have a good reason.

The tribunal might hold the hearing without you if do not attend.

Prepare for the hearing

You can go to the hearing on your own or ask someone to help represent you. You can also call a witness to support your case.

Organisations that can help represent you include:

Royal British Legion

Royal Air Forces Association

Combat Stress

Blesma: The Limbless Veterans

UK Armed Forces Charities

Take your appeal papers and the documents you’re using as evidence to the hearing. You should give copies of any evidence to the tribunal and Veterans UK before the tribunal hearing.

Tribunal panel

The tribunal is made up of:

a judge

a medical member

a service member

What happens at the hearing

The judge, tribunal members, Veterans UK and your representative (if you have one) will ask you questions about your case.

The tribunal will then question any witnesses you’ve brought to the hearing.

You’ll usually get a decision from the tribunal on the day of the hearing.

Expenses

You might be able to claim expenses or compensation for:

travel (only in the UK)

living expenses for the time you’re away from home

loss of earnings

More information

You can find out more about expenses or contact the tribunal for more information.

If you lose your appeal

You can ask the tribunal for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) if you lose your appeal.

You must ask for permission to appeal within 6 weeks of getting the decision.

The Upper Tribunal will look at the case to see if the original decision was correct.

Reasons for appealing

You can only appeal if you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason, including if the tribunal did not:

follow the right procedures - for example it did not tell you in time about the hearing

give proper reasons for its decision, or back up the decision with facts

apply the law properly

Before appealing, ask the original tribunal for the written statement of reasons for its decision.

Contact the Upper Tribunal

Legislation

The tribunal will make decisions based on:

the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943

The Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 2006

the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011

The tribunal must follow the rules and process set out in the:

the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber) Rules 2008

the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007


Contact Jobcentre Plus

How to contact Jobcentre Plus

You can contact Jobcentre Plus about:

new benefit claims

existing benefit claims

changing or cancelling an appointment

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus

If you want to contact your nearest office, you can find their details using the local office search.

You can write to your nearest office by using their address from the local office search. Their address will also be on any letters you’ve been sent.

If you’re in Northern Ireland

For Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Income Support, contact your Jobs and Benefits office. For Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), contact the ESA Centre.

Complain about Jobcentre Plus

You can complain about the service you’ve received from Jobcentre Plus.

Find a job

Use the ‘Find a job’ service (previously Universal Jobmatch).

Get a National Insurance number

Apply for a National Insurance number or find your National Insurance number if you’ve lost it.

New benefit claims

Call Jobcentre Plus to claim ‘new style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).

There are different contact details for:

Universal Credit

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance

You can also claim Jobseeker’s Allowance online.

Alternative formats

Call Jobcentre Plus to ask for alternative formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Use a benefits calculator to find out what benefits you could get.

Existing benefit claims

Call the appropriate number for your benefit to:

discuss a claim you’ve made

tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about a change in your circumstances, for example if you start working or your income changes

You’ll need your National Insurance number when you call any of these numbers.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you’re in Northern Ireland

For JSA and Income Support, contact your Jobs and Benefits office. For ESA, contact the ESA Centre.

Universal Credit

You can contact Jobcentre Plus by signing in to your online account - you’ll get a reply Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Social Fund

Maternity Allowance

Bereavement benefits

Change or cancel an appointment

Universal Credit appointments

You can change or cancel a Universal Credit appointment by signing in to your Universal Credit account.

Other appointments


Report a problem about a criminal record check or barring decision

Overview

You can appeal to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if they:

make a decision to add you to the list of people barred from certain roles

have previously added you to the list of people barred from certain roles and you want them to review the decision

You can raise a dispute with DBS if they make a mistake on a DBS check.

The mistake or decision can be changed if the appeal or dispute is successful.

An employer or licensing authority can also appeal a DBS check if they’ve talked to the applicant first.

Dispute a mistake on your DBS certificate

You can raise a dispute for a standard or enhanced check if you believe there’s been a mistake in either:

the records provided, like wrong or irrelevant information on convictions

personal information, like your name

There is a different process for disputing information on a basic check certificate.

The police may ask for fingerprints to prove your identity if there’s a mistake in the records.

How to raise a dispute

Report the mistake within 3 months of the date on the certificate.

For mistakes in records

Fill in the certificate dispute form.

For mistakes in personal information

Fill in Section A of the certificate dispute form, or call the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) customer services team.

Dispute a DBS update service certificate change

Call customer services if you subscribe to the DBS update service and want to dispute the status of a certificate. They’ll send out the forms you need to raise a dispute.

Send the form to:

Independent Monitor review

DBS will work with the police to make a decision about your dispute. If the police do not agree there’s a mistake, the dispute will be referred to the Independent Monitor only if the objection is that information is:

not relevant to the position applied for

should not be included in the certificate

The enhanced certificate will be corrected if the Independent Monitor agrees with your dispute.

You must raise a dispute with DBS before a referral to the Independent Monitor is made.

Appeal against a new barring decision

You can appeal to a tribunal to reverse a barring list decision. The tribunal may remove someone from the barred list if it agrees, or refer you back to DBS for a further decision.

You can appeal if:

you were automatically added following a relevant caution or conviction

you believe DBS has made a legal mistake

DBS barred you based on information that was wrong

It’s up to the tribunal whether they hear your appeal.

Contact the Upper Tribunal to appeal against a new barring decision in England or Wales.

Contact the Care Tribunal to appeal against a new barring decision in Northern Ireland.

Appeal against an existing barring decision

You can ask the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to review a barring decision if:

you were automatically added to the barred list following a relevant caution or conviction

You can also ask for a review if your circumstances change after the minimum barred period.

The minimum barred period is:

Age | Minimum barred period

Under 18 | 1 year

18 to 24 | 5 years

25 or over | 10 years

You can use the following evidence to prove that your circumstances have changed:

medical reports

a successful appeal against a conviction

a specialist assessment

Contact DBS to ask for a review. It’s up to them whether they choose to review.

Appeal against the outcome of a DBS review

You can appeal to a tribunal if you asked DBS to review a barring list decision, and they either:

refused to conduct a review

decided to keep you on the barred list after a review

The tribunal may remove a person from the barred list if it agrees with the appeal. It’s up to the tribunal whether they hear the appeal.

Contact the Upper Tribunal to appeal against a DBS barred list review in England or Wales.

Contact the Care Tribunal to appeal against a DBS barred list review in Northern Ireland.