Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK

Skip to contents of guide

Who can get help

You can usually apply for help to return home (‘voluntary return’) if any of the following are true:

  • you’re in the UK illegally or have overstayed your visa or permission to stay
  • you’ve withdrawn, or want to withdraw, your application to stay in the UK
  • you’ve made a claim for asylum in the UK
  • you have a letter from the Home Office confirming you’re a victim of modern slavery

When you cannot apply

You cannot apply for a voluntary return if you:

  • have permission to stay in the UK - for example a student visa or work visa
  • are currently being investigated by the police or detained by the Home Office
  • have been given a prison sentence that’s 12 months or longer
  • have been convicted of an offence and given a deportation order
  • have humanitarian protection, indefinite leave to remain or refugee status in the UK
  • have a Service Providers from Switzerland visa
  • have a Frontier Worker permit
  • have an S2 Healthcare Visitor visa
  • have applied for, or have settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme

Who can get financial support

The voluntary returns service can provide up to £3,000 in financial support to help you after you leave the UK. If you are eligible, you will receive a single payment on a card before you leave the UK. You can only use the card in your home country.

You can apply for financial support if any of the following are true:

  • you are returning to a ‘developing country’, as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • your claim for asylum in the UK has been refused
  • you have a letter from the Home Office confirming you’re a victim of modern slavery
  • you’re part of a family group that will travel together, including someone under 18 years old
  • you’re under 18 and travelling alone
  • you’re under 21 and a care leaver
  • you’re sleeping rough
  • you need more help with your return - for example, because you have a medical condition

Contact the voluntary returns service if you’re not sure whether or not you’re eligible.

Voluntary returns service
Telephone: 0300 004 0202
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content