Refugees and people seeking asylum

If you want to stay in the UK as a refugee, you must claim asylum. Apply for asylum on GOV.UK.

You must apply when:

• you arrive in the UK or
• it is no longer safe for you to return to your own country.

After you apply for asylum, you can:

• find a school for your child or children
• get healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS)
• claim asylum support

Once you’ve been granted refugee status, you can:

• apply for housing
• apply for benefits
• find a job

Find out about life in Scotland in the welcome pack for New Scots on gov.scot.

Find support

If you have claimed asylum or plan to claim asylum in the UK, you can get help in your language from Migrant Help.

You may be able to get help in an emergency from the British Red Cross.

You can get information about housing and other services from Positive Action In Housing (PAIH).

You can also get help from the Scottish Refugee Council.

Legal help

Find information on getting legal advice through the Scottish Refugee Council.

You can also find out about and search for an immigration adviser on GOV.UK.

Information for Ukrainian nationals in Scotland

Find information and support through the Scottish Refugee Council.

If you have been given permission to be in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes, you may be able to apply to stay for a further 18 months.

Apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme on GOV.UK.