GUIDANCE FOR UNDOCUMENTED COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS
The following information has been made available by the UK Government for Commonwealth citizens (known as ‘Windrush’ cases) who have lived in the UK permanently since before 1973 and have not been away for long periods in the last 30 years and do not have documents to demonstrate their status.
It explains their position and what they need to do next. The High Commission encourages all concerned to contact the Home Office as soon as possible so that their cases can be dealt with.
The contact information is as follows:
Freephone: 0800 678 1925 Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm Sunday 10am to 4pm Email: commonwealthtaskforce@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR APPLICATION TO STAY IN THE UK
We understand that many people won’t have documents that are over 40 years old. But you should send as much information as possible to us in support of your application. We accept all sorts of documentation to help us build a picture of your life in the UK. Think about letting us know:
• Where you went to school and studied
• Where you’ve worked
• If you have family here
• Where you’ve lived during your time in the UK
Documents that can help support your application include:
• Exam certificates
• Employment records
• Your National Insurance number
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Bills and letters
Home Secretary statement to Parliament (April 2018)
On 23 April 2018 the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, made a statement to Parliament about new measures to establish a permanent and sustainable solution for members of the Windrush generation who have been in the country for decades but found themselves unable to evidence their legal right to remain in the UK.
The Home Secretary announced that the Home Office will:
• waive the citizenship fee for anyone in the Windrush generation who wishes to apply for citizenship – this applies to those who have no current documentation, and also to those who have it
• waive the requirement to carry out a Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK test
• waive the fee for the children of the Windrush generation who are in the UK who need to apply for naturalisation
• ensure that those who made their lives here but have now retired to their country of origin, are able to come back to the UK – the cost of any fees associated with this process will be waived
• be setting up a new scheme to compensate people who have suffered loss – this will be run by an independent person
• establish a new customer contact centre, so anyone who is struggling to navigate the many different immigration routes can speak to a person and get appropriate advice
• ensure that people who arrived after 1973 but before 1988 can also access the dedicated Windrush team so they can access the support and assistance needed to establish their claim to be here legally
COMPENSATION SCHEME
We have opened a call for evidence for Commonwealth citizens, including the Windrush generation, who have faced difficulties in establishing their status under the immigration system. This is an opportunity for those affected to tell us about their experience, which will help us to shape the compensation scheme. It forms part of our commitment to do right by those who have contributed so much to this country.
The call for evidence will run until 8 June; evidence can be submitted by emailing windrushcompensation@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
This will be followed by a full consultation on the detail of the scheme. Further information can be found on the Windrush compensation: call for evidence page.
- guidance_for_undocumented_commonwealth_citizens.pdf
Read Official DHC_Letter