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UK government support for Chagossians

This page provides information on UK government support to people born on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago and their descendants.

From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Home Office and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published
16 August 2022
Last updated
16 July 2024 — See all updates

The UK government provides a range of support to people who were born on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago and their descendants (‘Chagossians’). This includes community projects in the UK and Mauritius as well as a route to get British citizenship.

Chagossian records

The British Indian Ocean Territory Administration has published the records it holds of the births, marriages, and deaths of people living on on BIOT / the Chagos Archipelago. Those involved in the administration of the Chagos Archipelago made these records, which cover the years from 1878 to 1971. You can search the records on Chagossian records website, note that you will need to register first.

Working on Diego Garcia

There are a range of job opportunities on Diego Garcia open to British, Mauritian and Seychellois citizens. People in these jobs live on the island and support the US Navy base operating there by managing facilities, maintaining vehicles, and providing administrative support.

KBR Inc is the main contractor responsible for recruiting and managing support staff at the base. You can review and apply for job vacancies on KBR’s website, which is updated regularly.

Applying for British citizenship

In November 2022, the UK government launched a new British nationality route for individuals of Chagossian descent. It allows them to become British citizens free of charge, and to build their future in the UK should they wish to.

If you have any queries relating to the citizenship process that the guidance does not cover, you can also email ChagossianEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.

You can use these links to apply for citizenship:

Advice for Chagossians who are British citizens

Chagossians who are British citizens can apply for British passports. Find out more about how to apply for a passport and about preparing for life in the UK:

Support for Chagossians

The UK government is funding a number of projects in the UK and Mauritius to support Chagossians. You can find out more about how to get support:

Updates to this page

Published 16 August 2022
Last updated 16 July 2024 + show all updates

  1. Added new information about how to find Chagossian records of births, marriages and deaths.

  2. New guidance added for Chagossians who are British citizens: pre-departure information, and information about arriving in the UK.

  3. New guidance added to the 'British citizenship' section on 'Moving to the UK and British citizenship: guidance for Chagossians'

  4. Added a link to new guidance for Chagossians on how to get UK government support.

  5. Added list of projects funded by the Chagossian Support Package, and further information on how to get help with applying for UK nationality

  6. Added information about working on Diego Garcia

  7. New information for people of Chagossian descent on how to apply for British citizenship, and on opportunities for study at Middlesex University Mauritius.

  8. Updated to show that the Nationality and Borders Act provision relating to Chagossians will come into force on 23 November 2022.

  9. First published.

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