Immigration advice and casework

We are accredited to provide specialist immigration advice up to OISC Level 2. We provide advice & casework including initial applications to the Home Office and up to, but not including, appeals to the Tribunal.

The types of application we advise on include:

  • Applications under Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules on the basis of family life as the parent of a British citizen/child settled in the UK/lived in the UK for 7 years (with a fee waiver if necessary)
  • Private life applications based on long residence (with a fee waiver if necessary)
  • Refugee family reunion (including complex cases)
  • Applications to change conditions – no recourse to public funds
  • Registration of children as British citizens (especially if this enables other family members to make applications for status in the UK)
  • No Time Limit/replacement BRP applications
  • Applications under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • Discretionary Leave
  • Refugee and Home Office travel documents

We also offer one-off advice via our advice line or email, as well as immigration casework provided by our qualified caseworker.

Generally, our services are for vulnerable and/or destitute migrants, asylum seekers and refugees who are not eligible for legal aid and/or do not have the means to pay for private legal advice. As a general rule we cannot currently assist EEA nationals but will consider particularly vulnerable and complex cases.

Immigration Advice Line – temporarily closed
As you may be aware, there is a nationwide shortage of immigration advisors. We are the only provider of year-round, free, IAA accredited level 2 immigration advice and casework in the region, which puts significant pressures on our service. To meet this demand, we are currently recruiting another level 2 immigration advisor, and as part of our ongoing capacity-building work, we have begun an exciting new partnership with the University of Sussex to train law students in immigration advice.

We are therefore temporarily closed to new email referrals for both immigration and generalist advice and casework while we focus on our current large and intensive caseloads.

If you would like advice on the EU Settlement Scheme, we suggest contacting:
• Here for Good – https://hereforgoodlaw.org/euss-advice/
• Migrant Help – https://www.migranthelpuk.org/Pages/Category/euss
• AIRE Centre – https://www.airecentre.org/
• Citizens Advice (for straightforward EUSS enquiries): https://www.cabrightonhove.org/get-advice/

If you need advice or representation in asylum claims, There are two legal aid immigration providers in Sussex:
• BHT Sussex – https://www.bht.org.uk/services/legal-advice/brighton-advice-centre/immigration-legal-service/
• Lawstop – https://www.lawstop.co.uk/contact-us/

You can also search for additional immigration legal aid lawyers here – https://find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk/

If you require immigration advice in the areas not covered above, there are options listed here – https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/advice_information/i-need-immigration-advice/#page-section-3


Immigration toolkit
You can access our immigration toolkit to help guide you through the immigration application process.

I came to the UK five years ago after fleeing conflict in my home country of Sudan. Voices in Exile have been supporting me here in Brighton. I go to their English classes, and they have helped me with applying for refugee status, getting a job, and helping me to reunite with my wife. I had to leave her behind in Sudan and I didn’t see her for more than five years. She recently got her visa to come to the UK after Voices provided immigration advice and support and now, finally, she is living here with me.
Recent immigration casework service user