Windrush Scheme: full eligibility details
This guidance explains full details of eligibility for the Windrush Scheme.
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Details
People who arrived in the UK many years ago and do not have proof of their immigration status have faced difficulties in proving their right to work, to rent property and to access benefits and services to which they are entitled. The government apologised to people in this position and has made a commitment to help them get proof of their immigration status.
On 16 April 2018, the Home Office established a Taskforce (now known as the Windrush Help Team) to make immediate arrangements to help those who needed it. This included setting up a helpline to get in touch with the Home Office.
The Windrush Scheme is the next step in providing help and support. A separate Scheme will make it easier for people to access it and to understand what is on offer. Those applying under this Scheme will benefit from the services of the Windrush Help Team, which will help people to navigate the immigration system and will continue to take a sympathetic and proactive approach when resolving applications.
The Windrush Scheme does not cover applications for a British passport. British citizens must pay for a passport and it would not be fair to existing British citizens to provide a free passport to those applying for British Citizenship under the Windrush Scheme.
Updates to this page
Last updated 1 November 2024 + show all updates
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Updated to reflect policy changes regarding the transition to eVisas which take effect on 1 November.
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Updated the eligibility criteria for children of Commonwealth citizen parents.
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Updated to clarify references to the historical impact of section 1(5) of the Immigration Act 1971 on the immigration status of Commonwealth citizens. Previous versions of Home Office guidance contained errors regarding the impact that this legislation had.
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Updated guidance to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force on 1 December 2020.
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First published.