Guidance

Applying to the Windrush schemes from overseas guidance

Updated 1 November 2024

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Windrush Compensation Scheme

Are individuals who live abroad able to submit a claim?

Yes, in certain circumstances. You can apply from overseas if you are either:

  • a Commonwealth citizen who settled in the UK before 1 January 1973
  • representing the estate of a deceased person who, but for their death, would have been eligible to claim compensation
  • a close family member of an eligible individual where there is evidence of certain direct financial losses, or significant impact on your life

Do overseas claimants need to have lawful status in the UK?

Commonwealth citizens who settled in the UK before 1 January 1973 and are now overseas do not need to have lawful status in the UK. They just need to provide evidence that they were settled in the UK prior to 1 January 1973.

Close family members and those making claims on behalf of a deceased’ estate who are abroad also do not need to have lawful status in the UK.

How do individuals living abroad submit a claim?

All forms and guidance are available online on GOV.UK.

There is an open document version of the form available which can be completed digitally. Alternatively, the form can be printed and completed by hand. Completed forms should be:

For claims sent by post from overseas, we will pay the postage costs if the claim is successful and the award we offer is accepted. You will need to provide proof of postage costs, so please keep your receipt.

What assistance is available to those applying from overseas?

The Windrush Help Team can:

  • assist you should you have questions about the claim form or process, or need help accessing claims forms and/or guidance
  • refer you to our claimant assistance provider ‘We Are Group’ (formerly known as We Are Digital) who can provide free, independent assistance with completing the claim form. We Are Group can:
    • listen to your experiences and advise on which categories of claim you might be entitled to, and how to gather appropriate supporting evidence and documents
    • provide language services where English is not your first language

The Windrush Help Team can be contacted on 0800 678 1925 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm UK time or by email: WindrushCompensationScheme@homeoffice.gov.uk. Those calling from overseas may be charged. If you would like a call back, you should email the Help Team to request this. Alternatively, you can continue to converse with the Help Team by email.

Windrush Scheme

Are individuals who are currently overseas able to apply?

You can apply to the Windrush Scheme from abroad if you are a Commonwealth citizen who was settled in the UK before 1 January 1973.

If you have the right of abode, you can apply for documentation confirming this. If you used to be settled here but have left the UK for more than two years you can apply for a Returning resident visa to return to live in the UK, if you have strong ongoing ties to the UK. This will mean you have Indefinite Leave to Remain when you arrive in the UK.

If you are not eligible to apply for the Windrush Scheme, you may still be able to apply for a visa to come to the UK. The visas available to you may include:

  • Returning resident visa
  • Standard Visitor visa
  • Marriage Visitor visa
  • Short-term study visa
  • Student visa
  • Work visa
  • Family visa

Read more information about applying for a visa to come to the UK on GOV.UK.

How do individuals living abroad apply to the Windrush Scheme?

The Windrush Scheme application form is available on GOV.UK.

Those who are applying from overseas, must use the online application form that is available.

What assistance is available to those applying from overseas?

The Windrush Help Team can assist you should you need help with or have questions about applying to the scheme.

The Windrush Help Team can be contacted on 0800 678 1925 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm UK time or by email: CommonwealthTaskforce@homeoffice.gov.uk. Those calling from overseas may be charged. If you would like a call back, you should email the Help Team to request this. Alternatively, you can continue to converse with the Help Team by email.

The Windrush Help Team also has a dedicated Vulnerable Persons Team (VPT), who are on hand to provide help and advice where safeguarding and vulnerability issues are identified. The VPT was established to ensure that those in most urgent need can obtain support and advice via a single point of contact within the team. The VPT can support people applying to both the Windrush Compensation Scheme and the Windrush Scheme. The support they offer includes helping individuals to return to the UK, including travel arrangements and accommodation, where other support isn’t available to them. The VPT also administer the policy on support in urgent and exceptional circumstances and may provide financial support to those that need this.

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