Your Options If You Are An Illegal Immigrant In The UK

Living in the UK as an illegal immigrant can be extremely stressful, you are constantly on the lookout for Border Force agents and will likely never be able to settle down properly in the UK until your immigration status is completely sorted. In this article, we will look at the options for those who are currently illegally in the UK and where to look next on your journey to becoming legal in the UK. Clearly, remaining as an illegal immigrant is far from Ideal and it should always be your principal concern to try and gain legal status to remain in the UK as quickly as possible.

So what are my options if I'm in in the UK illegally

In many cases your need to have your individual case assessed by an immigration specialist such as ourselves. Decisions are often made on a case by case basis and it is important to ensure that you always have the best available legal advice in your corner. Our lawyers are highly experienced in the field and they have helped many people just like you to settle their status in the UK.

But in general, the main way of the becoming a legal resident in the UK for someone who entered the country illegally is going to be via gaining either some sort of legal route i.e. claiming asylum or via one of the UK's many visa routes.

How do I apply as an Asylum Seeker in the UK?

An asylum seeker is someone who has come to the UK illegally but has not yet had their case assessed. It is important to understand the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee as it is very important in law. If you're in the UK as an asylum seeker, you will need to make an application to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for them to assess your case.

It is important to understand that those who wish to claim asylum would be in grave danger in their home country and it would not be safe for them to return. It is important to understand that once you've applied for asylum you are no longer an illegal immigrant but you are then an asylum seeker. In reality it doesn't make a huge difference to your day to day life but it does mean that you'll be afforded some protections.

Can I apply to stay in the UK as a Refugee?

You become a refugee once you have an asylum application approved. This is where it is important to understand differences between an asylum seeker and a refugee. A refugee is simply an asylum seeker who has had a positive result in their application and will be able to live in the UK. You must note that you will not be able to work while in the UK as a refugee. You will however be given some basic governmental assistance.

In the future you may be able to settle in the UK by receiving Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Once you have received Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you will be able to live and work as normal and will no longer be bound by many of the conditions that originally affected your stay.

I've been in the country for a lot of my life, what are my options?

If you have been in the UK for over half of your life, or you have other extenuating circumstances such as it not being safe to return to your country of origin or you have children in the UK, then you may have grounds to remain in the country. If your children were born in the UK then it is important that you register them as soon as possible as they may help with your claim to remain in the UK.

It is important that you remain honest and above board at all times. Failure to comply with the UK's stringent immigration laws means that you will be risking a very likely removal from the country. If you have any questions on current immigration issues, get in touch and one of our team will be happy to discuss your situation with you.

Can I be deported?

Yes, if you are in the UK illegally you can be deported and will often be taken to an immigration detention centre first. This can be a harrowing and unpleasant experience and is purely one of the best reasons for trying to settle your status as early as possible in the UK and not taking the risk.

If you believe that you may be at risk of deportation and would like to speak to someone about it, call us today and one of our immigration specialists will be happy to talk your through your options.

Can I choose to leave the country voluntarily?

Yes, the country does provide options for those who wish to leave voluntarily and it is certainly better for your long-term prospects for coming back to the UK if you choose this route. The Government has to spend a lot of money to deport people to their countries of origin and that is why they made the provision to help people to leave the country voluntarily.

To discuss the potential for voluntarily leaving the country with Government assistance, please get in touch and one of our experienced immigration specialists can help to discuss your options with you.

Where can I get more help?

If you need more help with an asylum application or indeed any other immigration query, please get in touch. Our experienced immigration solicitors have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can help to deliver you a positive result. So, for more information or to begin using our services, call us today and we'll be happy to help you.