{"id":140,"date":"2023-02-15T20:11:44","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T20:11:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/help-at-hand\/?page_id=140"},"modified":"2025-01-06T12:53:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T12:53:19","slug":"i-am-not-a-british-citizen","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/help-at-hand\/help-information-advice\/i-am-not-a-british-citizen\/","title":{"rendered":"I am not a British citizen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Help, information & advice<\/a><\/span> \/ I am not a British citizen<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

I am not a British citizen<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Have a look at our FAQs below and if you still need assistance get in touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Speak to us today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

0800 528 0731<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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How we can help…<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support if you’re not a British citizen<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here we’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions, before you decide to contact us, you might find the answer to your question below.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n \n \n \n What does it mean to be seeking asylum? <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
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Asylum seekers are people who flee their home country, often due to major conflicts or because of human rights abuses, and who seek refuge in another country by making an application for asylum.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n \n \n I\u2019m separated from my family; I am making an asylum application and want to know my rights <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
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If you are a child who has been separated from your parents or carers during your journey into the UK and have applied for asylum, you will be described as an \u2018unaccompanied asylum-seeking child\u2019, or \u2018UASC\u2019.<\/p>\n

The Home Office will be responsible for making the initial decisions on your asylum application when you have submitted one with the help of an immigration representative (either a solicitor, or an officer from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner<\/a> \u2013 \u2018OISC\u2019) after children\u2019s services have linked you with one.<\/p>\n

Children\u2019s services will be responsible for your care until you turn 18 and then will continue to have duties to support you until you are 25.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions or concerns about this, you can contact Help at Hand<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n \n \n I arrived in the UK a year ago. I have had one interview, but I still have not had my second one. What do I do? <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
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When you are applying for asylum, you will undergo a Welfare Interview and a series of checks. You will have your photo and fingerprints taken, taken unless you are under five years of age.<\/p>\n

You do not have to have a responsible adult with you during this interview, but it is best to have one present. You can ask for this to be your social worker. A solicitor can also attend the welfare interview.<\/p>\n

After you have met with your solicitor and together you complete the Statement of Evidence Form<\/a>, you should then receive the second, \u2018substantive\u2019 interview.<\/p>\n

It is important for you to know that a legal representative (a solicitor or an OISC officer) will be funded to attend your interviews with you. Your lawyer should be informed of the date of your substantive interview by the Home Office.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions or concerns about this, you can contact Help at Hand<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n \n \n I was born in this country. Am I automatically British? <\/span>\n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n
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Being born in the UK does not give you an automatic right to British citizenship. To be able to register for British Citizenship as a child, you must meet one of the following requirements:<\/p>\n