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

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Who can get help

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  • you’ve withdrawn, or want to withdraw, your application to stay in the UK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 receive 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

Contact the voluntary returns service if you’re not sure whether or not you’re eligible.

Voluntary returns service
Telephone: 0300 004 0202
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

View a printable version of the whole guide

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