Immigration and Citizenship
Your options if you're in the UK illegally
Summary
There are ways to make your stay legal. An immigration specialist will decide which applies to you. Don't worry, getting advice will be confidential - they won't tell anybody about your query. Talk to an adviser for help finding an immigration specialist in your area. You can also call the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants for help. They provide free and confidential advice to people living in the UK illegally. Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10am to midday Calls to the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants are free. Whether you can live in the UK legally will depend on your circumstances. Your application will probably be refused if you apply more than 14 days after your permission to stay has expired. If you’re not sure when your leave expires, check your biometric residence permit, online immigration status or passport. You might be able to apply to stay in the UK if: * it would be very difficult for you to live in the country you would be in - for example because of a lack of work, education, family or friends, or if you wouldn't be accepted back there * you’ve lived in the UK for 20 years or more * you're aged 18 to 25.
Key information
- it would be very difficult for you to live in the country you would be in - for example because of a lack of work, education, family or friends, or if you wouldn't be accepted back there
- you’ve lived in the UK for 20 years or more
- you're aged 18 to 25 and you've lived in the UK for at least half your life
- you can’t return to the country because you’d be persecuted or seriously harmed - for example, if you’d be tortured
- you’ve got a partner who has a right to stay in the UK - for example, if your partner is British or has settled status
- you’ve got children in the UK, especially if they're British citizens, settled or have been in the UK for 7 years or more
- your last visa was as a partner and you've suffered domestic abuse at the hands of the partner related to your visa
- up to 9 months before your sentence ends
- when your sentence has ended
- pay for your medical costs
- There are ways to make your stay legal. An immigration specialist will decide which applies to you. Don't worry, getting advice will be confidential - they won't tell anybody about your query. Talk to an adviser for help finding an immigration specialist in your area.
- You can also call the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants for help. They provide free and confidential advice to people living in the UK illegally.
Practical guidance
Related topics
More in this area
Sources
- Citizens Advice — Your options if you're in the UK illegally
This is signposting information from the Legal Shaman wiki, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your situation.