On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our United Kingdom LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For United Kingdom country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our United Kingdom COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by the United Kingdom.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which the United Kingdom is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
- the 1951 Refugee Convention, which provides the internationally recognised definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights and assistance a refugee is entitled to receive
- the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which expanded the Convention to apply universally and protect all persons fleeing conflict and persecution
- the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, which established a framework for the international protection of stateless persons
- the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, which set rules for the conferral and non-withdrawal of citizenship to prevent cases of statelessness from arising
- the 2001 Temporary Protection Directive, the framework for a possible temporary protection system established when the Council of the EU agrees there is a mass influx of displaced persons
In addition to its obligations under these international instruments, the UK is obliged to respect the international customary legal principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits any country from deporting any person to a country where they face the threat of persecution. The UK government has, however, attempted to bypass this commitment. The 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rwanda aimed to transfer irregularly arriving asylum-seekers to Rwanda to review their asylum claims. After a series of legal challenges regarding the scheme’s compliance with international law, the Labour government scrapped the scheme in July 2024.
Impact of Brexit
Brexit has severed UK ties with notable frameworks and is no longer bound to the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The CEAS instruments ceased to apply to the UK on 1 January 2021 and the sides have not yet agreed on an alternative asylum cooperation. The UK implemented the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in domestic law through the Human Rights Act 1998. Britain is therefore obliged to follow the ECHR and judgements from the European Court of Human Rights, despite Brexit.
Immigration Numbers
The UK has seen a sharp increase in migration attempts across the English Channel post-Brexit, potentially due to refugees no longer being able to reach the UK through the legal routes under the Dublin system.
The UK has introduced an unprecedented amount of asylum and immigration legislation over the past thirty years.
Currently, governing asylum in the UK are: the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, and the Illegal Migration Act 2023.
The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, section 80AA, established a list of ‘safe countries’. Asylum claims can be deemed inadmissible if a claimant has been to a ‘safe’ state and claimed protection or if they are from a ‘safe’ state. If an individual arrives illegally from a ‘safe’ state, the UK will not admit their claim to the UK asylum system. The list of ‘safe countries’ was amended by the Illegal Migration Act 2023, with Georgia and India added to the list.
The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 has been denounced by many civil society organisations for its diminishment of protections, including different treatment of refugees based on regular or irregular arrival to the UK with a two-tier system.
The Illegal Migration Act 2023 changed the law so that the people who arrive in the UK by ‘irregular’ routes, like small boat crossings, cannot claim asylum or protection, regardless of their need for protection. It became known as the ‘asylum ban’ by politicians, NGOs and human rights groups. The Act increased the Home Secretary’s power to decide how long someone can remain detained for immigration purposes and made it possible to prevent people from challenging their detention despite a human rights claim.
The Hardigal Signh v Governor of Durham Prison [1983] sets out the principles concerning the use of powers to detain someone for immigration purposes. In Jasseh v Home Office [2024] EWHC 31 the High Court found the detention of the Claimant unlawful with damages awarded for the breach of Hardial Sign principles and Article 5 ECHR. Jasseh v Home Office [2024] EWHC 31 set a case law pr
ecedent for challenging unlawful detention. Detention was deemed unlawful here during two periods of immigration detention as detention exceeded the period reasonably necessary for the purpose of removal and the interference with family life was disproportionate thus could claim aggravated damages.
Asylum applications must take place within UK territory if the UK is to be responsible for the application. The UK Government’s Home Office is responsible for the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process. After a screening, the Home Office reviews the claim and decides if it can be considered in the UK. If the claim is accepted, the Home Office will grant leave to remain in the UK.
The UNHCR UK office does not accept asylum applications or make decisions regarding asylum applications nor can they provide any legal advice or representation for an individual’s asylum claims and appeals.
To apply for asylum in the UK visit this page. A guide to the UK immigration and asylum system can be found here.
Legal aid organisations
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Address: 144 London Road, Brighton BN1 4PH
Tel: 01273 645400 (head office) or 01273 645455 (Brighton)
Email: advice@bht.org.uk (Brighton Advice Centre) or ImmigrationLegalServices@bht.org.uk (legal aid service)
The Brighton Advice Centre provides specialist advice on a range of housing, immigration and welfare benefits-related issues. Their Immigration Legal Service provides advice and representation, under the Legal Aid scheme, in anything relating to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. You can click here to see if you are eligible for legal aid. They can help gather country evidence relating to non-refoulement law. Appointments can be made by email, telephone, or by attending a drop-in session. Their services include specialist housing advice on possession action, homelessness, sustainability of accommodation, tenancy rights, immigration legal service advice and representation in all areas of asylum and human rights, as well as a court duty scheme that provides last-minute emergency advice for people facing eviction who have a court hearing.
Address: 3-7 Arneway St, Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2BG
Tel: 020 7227 1673 (advice line) or 020 7227 1670 (immigration team)
Email: info@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk
Cardinal Hume Centre offers free legal advice and representation on immigration status cases. Case applications can include asylum cases, domestic violence cases, child citizenship, EUSS late applications, family and private life, and long stays in the UK. They offer hostel accommodation for 16-21-year-olds, housing advice and advocacy, English language and literacy work, IT training, work experience, and early years learning and parenting classes.
They cannot assist with work visas, student visas, entry clearance, citizenship applications where this is the only issue, passport or travel document applications, and indefinite leave to remain cases unless clients have additional vulnerabilities (e.g. health issues). Once you have a confirmed meeting date, you can reach the immigration team for an assessment on the line provided above although they are not referring people at the moment.
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Address: JCWI, 441 Caledonian Road, London N7 9BG
Tel: 020 7251 8708 (general) or 0800 160 1004 (Irregular Immigrants Helpline)
Fax: 020 7251 8707
Email: info@jcwi.org.uk
The JCWI deals with all areas of asylum and immigration law, including helplines that assist with general advice, legal aid experts who assist with advice and representation, and toolkits that explain current policies and immigration issues in the UK. The JCWI employs 5 solicitors and offers representation at all stages of the legal process including applications to the home office, entry clearance, appeals and judicial review. The helpline is confidential and the advice is free – it runs Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10am to 1pm.
Address: Find your local branch address here.
Tel: Find your local branch telephone number here.
Email: Find your local branch email here.
The Law Centres offer free legal advice, casework, and representation to individuals and groups on all relevant issues related to immigration, asylum and EUSS. There are over 40 Law Centres which you can search for in the links above. The demand for Law Centre services is at an all-time high, so you may not be able to speak with someone straight away. You can typically contact your Law Centre by phone, email or via the website. You may need to book an appointment in some cases. You may need to qualify for legal aid or other funding depending on how the service is funded.
Address: 128 City Rd, London EC1V 2NX
Tel: 01304 203 977 (general) or 0808 8010 503 (free asylum helpline)
Email: info@migranthelpuk.org
Migrant Help provides independent advice and guidance to assist refugees in the UK as they move through and understand the asylum process. Their asylum services include a free helpline that is always available and accessible to all. Migrant Help can advise you in your language on issues including how to claim asylum, navigate the process, apply for asylum, apply for accommodation, find legal representation, access healthcare, and other related matters. You can contact them either through the number provided or on their webchat. Migrant Help works in international collaboration on projects like the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.
the process, applying for asylum, applying for accommodation, finding legal representation, accessing healthcare, and other related matters. You can contact them either through the number provided or on their webchat.
Address: PO Box 79446, London E2 2HS
Tel: +44 7756879276 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Email: mariana@afghanprobono.org.uk (general) or cases@afghanprobono.org.uk (case referral)
Safe Passage works to reunite child refugees with their families. In March 2022, Safe Passage International, Refugee Legal Support, and 14 leading law firms, launched the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative which offers pro bono legal representation to Afghan refugees. The project will help people apply to reunite with their family in the UK, access the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, and provide general information on the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme. The initiative will also identify gaps in legal aid provision and advocate for more publicly funded legal aid for refugees and asylum seekers. Safe Passage also supports refugees fleeing from Ukraine and offers confidential legal aid from UK lawyers, information about the government schemes for Ukrainians, advice on eligibility to apply for government schemes, and help in finding UK sponsors.
Address: The Woodlawns Centre, 16 Leigham Court Road, London SW16 2PJ
Tel: 0203 490 3443
Email: admin@slr-a.org.uk
The SLRA is regulated by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner to provide immigration advice at Level 3, meaning SLRA advisors can appear on your behalf at an immigration tribunal. The full breakdown of advice Levels (1-3) can be found here. Please note, only a level 3 advisor can appear on your behalf at an immigration tribunal.
SLRA provides youth and adult casework. For young people, they provide support with immigration, social care needs, destitution, education, and health to people aged between 11-24, with a connection to South London, who are either in the asylum system or vulnerable as a result of their immigration status. Their adult services include support with further leave and indefinite leave to remain applications, applications for Recourse to Public Funds, basic asylum advice, and help to survivors of domestic violence and/or trafficking.
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Address: 61 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AN.
Tel: 07955423893
Email: RLSUnitedKingdom@gmail.com (general) or casework.uk@refugeelegalsupport.org (legal)
Refugee Legal Support works in solidarity with people who migrate, with offices in Greece and London. They offer clients legal support, casework, strategic litigation, outreach, training and partnerships. Their work is directly informed by those with lived migration experience. RLS provides legal advice and assistance to people who want to join family members in the UK who might have previously applied under the Dublin Regulations.
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Address: Exeter Community Centre, 17 St Davids Hill Exeter, EX4 3RG
Tel: 01392 682185 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
RSD runs a drop-in service clinic on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (2pm to 4pm ) provided at the address above. These clinics include help communicating with other organisations, finding legal representation, as well as general help navigating living in the UK. RSD also runs a free immigration advice clinic. RSD took the lead in forming a coalition of local refugee support organisations and creating a toolkit of resources to support the residents of Devon’s Initial Accommodation Hotels for asylum seekers in Tiverton. They work with families relocated to Devon under government resettlement schemes and offer assistance on a range of topics including registering with doctors, dentists and education services.
If there is no answer when you call, please leave a message saying your phone number clearly and someone will call you back.
Email: immigrationclinic@exeter.ac.uk (general) or a2jclinic@exeter.ac.uk (justice clinic)
Exeter’s Community Law Clinic assists individuals who are not eligible for legal aid or otherwise unable to afford legal services, including form filling, letter writing, and legal advice. They specialise in leave to remain applications, entry clearance applications, settlement applications, family reunification, nationality or naturalisation, EU settlement, or travel document applications. Priority for cases will be given to individuals with particular vulnerabilities or urgent needs. Their Justice Clinic is open year-round, although their wait times generally can vary.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Address, email, and telephone: find contact details for your local refugee service here
The British Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the largest global humanitarian movement that operates on seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
In the UK, the British Red Cross is the largest independent provider of services to refugees, people seeking asylum, and survivors of trafficking. They provide one-to-one casework support regionally across the UK, helping people to navigate UK education and healthcare systems, find English lessons, and access other support. Their cash-based assistance programme provides small grants to those in urgent need and they run a destitution resource centre in Hackney to support people with no recourse to public funds and/or no right to work. They also have specialised gender-based violence advise and support. In London, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Kent, and Glasgow, they have special support for young refugees.
They provide information about refugee family reunion and practical help with family reunion travel assistance and integration support for reunited families. Their dedicated international family tracing service can help find and connect you with missing family members – find your local service here.
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Address: Leswin Rd, London N16 7NX
Tel: 07856632796
The Hackney Migrant Centre runs a sources of information page to find other organisations that can assist you (their general enquiry service is currently closed). They have put together a spreadsheet containing details for legal aid organisations in London which you can also access here. If you click here, you will find a page of useful information, such as contact details for agencies that specialise in homelessness, domestic violence, mental health and immigration-related issues.
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Address: The Sayes Court, 341 Evelyn St, London SE8 5QX
Tel: 020 8694 0323 (10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday)
Email: info@lrmn.org.uk
LRMN provides a range of services to refugees and migrants in select London communities. LRMN offers confidential immigration, housing, and welfare benefits advice to those living in Lewisham and neighbouring boroughs. LRMN also has a variety of well-being services, including counselling and emotional support, as well as programmes specifically tailored to particularly vulnerable groups such as the Women Together project. Finally, LRMN will also provide emergency support including food parcels and hardship funds. Please follow this referral link to get help for yourself or someone that you know.
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Address: Society Building, Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9LR
Email: info@refugee-action.org.uk
Refugee Action gives expert advice and guidance to those struggling to navigate the asylum system. Their support services include resettlement into homes and communities, helping children get into schools, attending and booking appointments, and ensuring a hot meal upon arrival. They also provide training and support to smaller, local organisations aiming to support integration, dignity, and support within refugee communities. Their projects and services are titled: The National Immigration Advice Service, Greater Manchester Asylum Crisis Project, CARE Project West Midlands and Bradford Asylum Services. Access the home page for these projects, and follow each link on their page to find contact details for each.
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Address: 98 West George St. Glasgow G2 1PJ
Tel: 0141 353 2220
Email: home@positiveactionh.org
Room for Refugees connects those with a spare room in their home to refugees and asylum seekers in need of somewhere to stay. Though based in Glasgow, Scotland, Room for Refugees has a network of hosts from across the UK and US.
Address: Tindlemanor, 52-54 Featherstone Street London, EC1Y 8RT
Tel: +44 (0)20 7250 1239
Email: admin@refugeewomen.co.uk
Women for Refugee Women support a network of over 650 refugee and asylum-seeking women to develop their confidence and skills who are seeking safety from persecution, including rape and other torture. They are open for new referrals and registrations for women with active asylum claims or who have received their refugee status within the last two years. They run creative and educational activities during school term times such as English classes, drama, yoga, campaigning activities and digital inclusion.
Address: STAR (Student Action for Refugees), 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA
Tel: 0207 697 4130
Email: info@star-network.org.uk
STAR is a national network of students who volunteer locally, working directly with refugees and campaigning nationally for policy change and equal access to higher education for refugees. They provide guidance to 18 higher education institutions to help them improve existing scholarships, a list of which can be found on the Displaced Student Opportunities UK Portal.
Address: The Refugee Council, PO Box 68614, London, E15 9DQ
Tel: 020 7346 6700
Email: info@refugeecouncil.org.uk
The Refugee Council offers support and information for people affected by the crisis in Afghanistan and details the UK government resettlement scheme for Afghans. There are also pages summarising the support and information available for people affected by the crisis in Sudan, Ukraine and Palestine.
In the UK, the Refugee Council is the only national service offering support to all unaccompanied refugee children who arrive alone seeking refuge in England. The support includes mental health therapy, care arrangements, education, healthcare, and asylum and welfare support. By working with local communities, groups and public services, they ensure that resettled refugees have a home and support in learning English, adapting to the culture and in accessing healthcare and education. This begins the moment a refugee arrives in the UK and is welcomed at the airport, and later includes helping open a bank account, navigating local transport and accessing benefits.
Address: Bloody Good Period, 167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF
Email: hello@bloodygoodperiod.com
Bloody Good Period partners with 100 organisations around the country, helping women and people in period poverty by delivering pads and menstrual supplies. They also provide education about sexual and reproductive health.
Address (click and collect): The Bike Project Camberwell, 170-172 Camberwell Road, London, SE5 0EE
Tel: 0207 846 9383
Email: shop@thebikeproject.co.uk
The Bike Project collects old bikes and refurbishes them. They donate second-hand refurbished bikes to people currently seeking asylum in the UK, people who have been granted refugee status in the UK in the past 2 years, and children or dependents of the former two groups. Most of the bikes given to refugees are distributed via the external organisations they work for.
United Kingdom LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom COI
Find United Kingdom Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023
