Immigration

The UK: OK plan

You are welcome here.
All care leavers who need it get help with immigration. Talk to your social worker to find out about the help we can offer. The City of London is signed up to the South London Refugee Association Pledge.

Your social worker will:
• Understand why immigration status is important to you
• Connect you with registered & qualified legal support
• Want to support you through immigration applications and appeals (alongside your legal representative)
• Know when your status expires and make sure you have your next application in to extend/appeal (if eligible before the age of 25)
• Help you make plans to return to your home country if you have exhausted all rights to stay in the UK
• Arrange payment for your application for extension of leave (before the age of 25)
• Arrange payment for extension of leave to remain (if eligible before the age of 25)

New harder immigration rules from 2025
• You will likely get 2.5 years limited leave at a time
• It will likely take 20 years to get permanent stay (citizenship). You can make this a bit quicker if you are studying or working
• It will be harder to bring your family to the UK
• Financial support might be less and may depend on working

New requirement for UKVI online account & e-Visa
• You must create a UKVI account & keep your contact details up to date, we will help with you if you need
• If you have leave to remain, the e-Visa will be your proof of status
• You will need the e-Visa for proof of identity for school, college, benefits, housing

Things we will not provide
• Travel documents (passports only are provided).
Because they are temporary, not all countries accept them, and it is not in our duty to provide.
• Funding for citizenship applications or passports after the age of 25