Immigration Corner | How to regularise UK status

Dear Mr Bassie,

A relative of mine went to the United Kingdom in 1987 and his immigration status has not been regularised. I have been informed that he might be eligible to get a document through the Windrush Scheme, showing his right to be over there.

I would be grateful for any advice given.

AB

Dear AB,

Persons may be able to get a document showing their right to be in the United Kingdom (UK) through the Windrush Scheme if they had arrived in the UK before 1989.

Persons can apply for a document to prove that they can live and work in Britain if they went to live in the UK before December 31, 1988 and are now settled there. Please note that the applicant can be of any nationality.

When they apply, the Home Office will work with other government departments to find records of them living in the UK. Applicants should be aware that none of their information will be shared with immigration enforcement teams.

HOW TO APPLY

Those persons who are in the UK should apply using the Windrush Scheme application form (UK). They should post the application to the address on the form with their supporting documents. Please note that the Windrush helpline can post a paper form to an applicant if needs be. Please see contact details below:

Windrush helpline

commonwealthtaskforce@homeoffice.gov.uk

Telephone: 0800 678 1925

Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except bank holidays)

It is advisable to find out about call charges before making contact.

Persons who are outside of the UK must apply using an online form. It should be noted that with respect to fees it is free to apply.

NEXT STEPS

The Windrush task force will contact the person if they have any questions about their application, or if they need more information.

FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPH

Persons will be asked to provide their fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) once they have sent in their form. They will not have to pay anything to do this.

Please note that applicants may be eligible for the Windrush Scheme if they arrived in the UK from any country before 1989. Persons may also be eligible if the applicant or their parent is a citizen of any of the Commonwealth countries that are listed online.

WINDRUSH HELPLINE

Just for completeness, persons should note that the Windrush helpline can help persons make a claim. It is able to give extra support to those who need it, for example, elderly or vulnerable claimants – and it can also post a form to an applicant. Those persons who are outside the UK can email the helpline and request a callback.

In addition, outside of the helpline opening hours, persons can leave a message to ask for the call to be returned at a convenient time. Persons can also sign up for email updates about the scheme. The contact details for the Windrush helpline are the same as previously stated.

Good luck.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com