You can usually apply for help to return home (‘voluntary return’) if any of the following are true: you’re in the UK illegally or have overstayed your visa or permission to stay you’ve withdrawn, or want to withdraw, your application to stay in the UK you’ve made a claim for asylum in the UK you have a letter from the Home Office confirming you’re a victim of modern slavery When you cannot apply You cannot apply for a voluntary return if you: have permission to stay in the UK - for example a student visa or work visa are currently being investigated by the police or detained by the Home Office have been given a prison sentence that’s 12 months or longer have been convicted of an offence and given a deportation order have humanitarian protection, indefinite leave to remain or refugee status in the UK have a Service Providers from Switzerland visa have a Frontier Worker permit have an S2 Healthcare Visitor visa have applied for, or have settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme Who can get financial support The voluntary returns service can provide up to £3,000 in financial support to help you after you leave the UK. If you are eligible, you will get a single payment on a card before you leave the UK. You can only use the card in your home country. You can apply for financial support if any of the following are true: you are returning to a ‘developing country’, as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) your claim for asylum in the UK has been refused you have a letter from the Home Office confirming you’re a victim of modern slavery you’re part of a family group that will travel together, including someone under 18 years old you’re under 18 and travelling alone you’re under 21 and a care leaver you’re sleeping rough you need more help with your return - for example, because you have a medical condition You cannot get financial support if you are planning to buy or have bought your travel ticket. Contact the voluntary returns service if you are not sure whether you’re eligible. Voluntary returns service Telephone: 0300 004 0202 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Find out about call charges

Apply online for voluntary return . You’ll need: your address in the UK an email address Do not apply online if you’ve booked a flight to leave the UK in the next 7 days - call the voluntary returns service instead. You also do not need to apply if you are planning to buy or have bought your ticket, and you already have your travel and identity documents. Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have access to the internet or a device like a laptop or smart phone You cannot get immigration advice through this service. If you cannot apply online Contact the voluntary returns service. Voluntary returns service Telephone: 0300 004 0202 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Find out about call charges You do not need to contact the voluntary returns service if you are planning to buy or have bought your ticket, and you already have your travel and identity documents. What happens next The Home Office will contact you within 3 working days to let you know they’ve received your application. You do not need to re-apply if you’re waiting to hear if your application was successful. You might need to provide further information to support your application. Your application can be cancelled if you do not do this. If your passport or travel document is being held by the Home Office, it will be returned to you at the airport when you leave the UK.

Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK

Overview

You can get help to return to your home country if you do not have permission to remain in the UK. This is known as ‘voluntary return’.

If you are eligible, the voluntary returns service can:

explain your options for returning home
help you get travel documents, such as a passport
pay for travel tickets, if you are unable to

You may also be eligible to apply for financial support of up to £3,000. You can use this support to find somewhere to live, find a job or start a business in your home country.

Coming back to the UK

You may not be able to come back to the UK for a specific time period after you’ve left the UK. This is known as a ‘re-entry ban’.

How long the ban is depends on your immigration record and on how much support you had from the Home Office when you left.

You can contact an immigration adviser for guidance on re-entry bans before applying.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK

Overview

Coming back to the UK

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Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK

Overview

Coming back to the UK

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