Support for Migrants

Find out what support is available for asylum seekers and refugees.

Asylum seekers and refugees

According to Article 1A(2) of the Refugee Convention a refugee is a person who:

  • has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion;
  • is outside the country of their nationality or does not have a nationality;
  • is unable or unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of their country of nationality or habitual residence.

In the UK, the term is often used to refer to someone who has been granted formal, legal status as a refugee. As a result, the term asylum seeker tends to be reserved for those people who have applied for asylum in the UK but are waiting for a decision on their status from the Home Office.

Refugees must apply for asylum in order to remain in the UK.

Asylum seekers may be able to get housing and financial support while waiting to find out about an application for asylum.

Migrant Help provides independent advice and guidance to assist asylum seekers in the UK to move through and understand the asylum process. Its free asylum helpline is open 24 hours a day throughout the year on 0808 8010 503.

Migrant Help also offer face-to-face advice to asylum seekers in the initial accommodation sites, as well as outreach services to vulnerable clients.

The British Red Cross is the UK's largest independent provider of services and support for refugees and people seeking asylum. Red Cross teams may be able to with:

  • emergency help
  • one-to-one casework
  • one-off support
  • information and signposting about where to get help.

To access support from the Red Cross locally those in need can contact by email at RSNorthernIreland@redcross.org.uk, telephone on 02890 323055, or WhatsApp on 07843 344601.

Extern also operate refugee support services locally, including the Refugee Resettlement Service and Floating Support. More information and contact details are on their website.

Law Centre NI have produced a Refugee Transition Guide for people who have recently received refugee status, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave. The guide explains the practicalities of managing their status and access to a range of public services.

The Guide was updated in December 2023 to reflect recent changes and is available in English, Arabic, Farsi (Persian), Tigrinya & Somali.

Resettlement Schemes

The UK government has recently sponsored a number of resettlement schemes in response to migrant crises in specific parts of the world.

Independent advice for migrants who have come to Northern Ireland through one of these schemes is available from Law Centre NI.

Afghanistan

The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) commenced in January 2022 and welcomes both those who assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and vulnerable people, including women and girls and members of minority groups.

Anyone who is resettled through the ACRS will receive indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, and will be able to apply for British citizenship after 5 years in the UK under existing rules.

Hong Kong

Following the implementation of new national security legislation in Hong Kong in 2020 the UK government established a new five-year British National (Overseas) visa to allow residents of Hong Kong with British National (Overseas) status and their children to settle in the UK.

British National (Overseas) status holders are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens. As a result, they are subject to immigration controls when entering the United Kingdom and do not have automatic right of abode.

Ukraine

A range of initiatives were put in place to welcome refugees from Ukraine to Northern Ireland who have been forced to flee their homes by the ongoing war in the country. Most of these schemes have now closed to new entrants, but the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will open from early 2025 to allow those already in the UK to apply to extend their permission to stay.

More information about this support is available at the nidirect page Supporting Ukraine.