When we Thaxted Legal are contacted by individuals who are seeking free immigration advice we try to signpost them to charitable organizations.
We are a fee charging organization and we need to be formally instructed to provide immigration advice and services in accordance with our regulator’s Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) rules and we charge for our services. However, we do understand that some individuals may not have the funds to pay for a lawyer and therefore those who seek free immigration advice may try to contact the below listed organizations or Home Office directly. Charitable organizations usually have their own criteria as to who qualifies for their free services.
How to find free immigration advice for Deportations and asylum seekeers
At this time we do not offer advice in the deportation or asylum matters. Those are complex matters and we strongly advise seeking help from a reputable experienced organizations specializing in this area of law.
There is also information available for free online, which may help in certain situations or at least make it easier to navigate a particular case. One of the better resources, we find, is available on the Right to remain organization’s website.
Help if your application is delayed
In case when your UKVI application takes longer than anticipated there are steps to be taken which could help. We write in detail about what you should do in such situations there.
Citizens Advice Centres
Citizens Advice centres (CABs) local to the person’s place of residence may be able to offer some immigration advice. CABs also offer free legal advice in other areas of law, such as benefits, debt, family, housing, consumer law.
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants offers free helpline for those who are in the UK without legal status. According to their website: ‘If you are in the UK without status and need legal advice, call our Freephone helpline on 0800 160 1004. It is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 1pm. The helpline is confidential and the advice is free.’
Praxis for Migrants and Refugees
Praxis for Migrants and Refugees may offer free immigration advice for those who meet their criteria to qualify for their assistance. According to their website: ‘We provide free immigration advice to people in London. In some cases, we might be able to offer representation. Our focus is on applications made on human rights grounds. Priority is given to those on a very low income or people experiencing destitution. Unfortunately, we cannot assist with asylum claims, entry clearance applications, naturalisation, or student/skilled worker visas.’#
Their telephone advice:
What: free immigration advice provided over the phone
For: people in London on a very low income or people experiencing destitution.
When: Wednesdays 2-5pm. Please note there is no phone advice on Wednesdays when there is a drop in clinics (dates below).
Call: 020 7749 7605
Home Office UK Visas and Immigration UKVI contact details
Home Office UK Visas and Immigration UKVI contact has two options: for those who apply from inside the UK and for those who apply from overseas.
Contact UKVI from inside the UK: Contact UKVI by phone:
UK Visas and Immigration contact centre
Telephone: 0300 790 6268 – select option 2
Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:45pm
Friday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges
Contact UKVI from outside the UK:
Contact UKVI online
Queries cost £2.74. You will not be charged for any follow-up emails about the same enquiry.
You will get a reply to your query within 5 days, except on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and UK public holidays.
If you do not get a response within 5 working days, check your email’s spam or junk folder before contacting UKVI again.
Contact UKVI by phone
Telephone: +44 (0)300 790 6268 – select option 1
Monday to Friday, 24 hours
Closed on UK bank holidays
Calls cost 69 pence per minute on top of your standard network charges
If you cannot contact UK 0300 numbers, use +44 (0)203 875 4669.
When you can call depends on which language you want to speak.
| Language | Opening hours (excluding UK bank holidays) |
| English | Monday to Friday, 24 hours. |
| Arabic | Sunday to Thursday, 5am to 1pm UK local time. |
| Cantonese | Monday to Friday, 1am to 9am UK local time. |
| French | Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm UK local time. |
| Hindi | Monday to Friday, 4am to midday UK local time. |
| Mandarin | Monday to Friday, 1am to 9am UK local time. |
| Russian | Monday to Friday, 6am to 2pm UK local time. |
| Spanish | Monday to Friday, 1pm to 1am UK local time. |