🛂 Getting Help with Immigration in the UK 🇬🇧
If you need help with your immigration situation, it’s very important to speak to someone who is trained and allowed to give advice. In the UK, immigration advisers must be registered with a group called IAA (Immigration Advice Authority). This means they are trained and legal. You can get help from:
- A specialist immigration solicitor (a trained legal expert)
- Or from an adviser working at a trusted organisation (like a charity)
⚠️ Only trained and registered advisers are allowed to help. They must have a special licence and must not give advice about things they are not trained in.
✅ What Level of Adviser Do You Need?
Immigration advisers have 3 levels. Each level can help with different types of problems:
🔹 Level 1 Adviser (Basic Help), They can help with simple immigration cases, such as:
- Applying to enter the UK
- Getting leave to remain (stay in the UK)
- Help with citizenship or nationality
- Help with EU or EEA immigration rules
Example: You want to extend your visa and all your documents are ready – a Level 1 adviser can help with that. They cannot help with complicated problems or asylum.
🔹 Level 2 Adviser (Casework), They can do everything Level 1 advisers do, and more. You should use a Level 2 adviser if:
- You have immigration problems from the past
- You are applying for asylum or claiming your human rights
- You want to challenge a visa refusal (ask for an official review)
- You came to the UK illegally or your visa has ended
- You are facing deportation or removal
They can handle more serious and complex cases.
🔹 Level 3 Adviser (Full Representation), They can do everything Levels 1 and 2 can do, plus:
- Go with you to court or a tribunal
- Speak on your behalf in legal hearings
They are trained to fully represent you in legal situations. If you have a serious immigration issue and might go to court, you need a Level 3 adviser.
🔍 How Can You Find an Adviser?
You can search for trained advisers in Leeds or nearby. Make sure to check:
- Their IAA level (Level 1, 2, or 3)
- If they charge money or if they offer free help
- 👉 Find an Immigration Adviser
⚠️ By law, all immigration advisers must be registered. Never use someone who is not trained or approved.
🆓 Free Immigration Help in Leeds
There are some charities in Leeds that offer free immigration advice, especially for asylum seekers, refused cases, or people with no money.
💚 PAFRAS (Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers)
- Helps asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers
- Offers drop-in support (you don’t need an appointment)
- 📍 Every Wednesday from 9:45am at St Aidan’s Community Hall (Harehills)
- You can also call or email them if you have questions
- Gives free legal advice to people who:
- Want to appeal a refused asylum application
- Want to send a new asylum claim
- Do not have Legal Aid
- ☎️ Call them between 9am–11am, Monday to Friday
- 📩 You can also leave a message or send an email . They help people who can’t pay for a lawyer.
- Offers some free immigration advice
- 📍 Visit them at Oxford House, Leeds City Centre
- 🕘 Drop-in hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 9am to 1pm
- 📆 Appointments only: Monday–Friday (check exact times)
- ☎️ They have a free helpline too
👉 It’s best to call or visit them to check what kind of help they can offer for your situation.
🏡 Want to Live in the UK Permanently?
If you want to stay in the UK for a long time or forever, there are a few ways. These are big legal processes, and often cost money, so it’s important to get help. Here are some routes:
- ✅ Indefinite Leave to Remain – this means you can stay in the UK with no time limit
- ✅ British Citizenship – become a full UK citizen
- ✅ EU Settlement Scheme – for people from the EU who lived in the UK before Brexit
- ✅ Right of Abode – if you already have the legal right to live in the UK
- ✅ Stateless Person Route – if no country accepts you as a citizen
All of these can be hard to understand, so make sure to speak to a Level 2 or 3 adviser for help.
📝 Remember:
- Only trained advisers and lawyers can give immigration help
- Always check if they are registered with IAA
- Be careful of scams or unregistered people
- Ask if they charge money before you agree to anything
- Free help is available from some charities in Leeds
