We can only provide advice and assistance to refugees and people seeking asylum who are already in the UK. If you are currently based outside of the UK, you should seek advice from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) or the Red Cross or Red Crescent in the country where you are living.

You need to seek immigration advice from a legal representative. We cannot provide legal advice but we can direct you to legal representatives working in asylum law in Scotland. 

• Legal representatives in Glasgow
• Legal representatives in Edinburgh
• More info from Gov.UK 

After seeking legal advice, phone the Home Office on 020 819 645 24 to book an appointment in Croydon.

If you cannot travel to Croydon because of health reasons Home Office will require a letter from a GP to confirm that you are unfit to travel.

If you are a survivor of domestic abuse, survivor of trafficking, have young children or have other vulnerabilities please contact Migrant Help by clicking here

Home Office policy states that all people seeking asylum should travel to Croydon to lodge their claims.

You can apply for asylum to the immigration officer on arrival at the port of entry, for example, at an airport or seaport or at the Home Office in Croydon after you have entered the UK. You may, for example, have entered the country illegally, or legally on a student, visitor or business visa.

The Croydon Asylum Screening Unit is based at Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon CR9 2BY.

Under very exceptional circumstances it may be possible to have your asylum application recorded and screened at a Local Enforcement Office. This may apply to unaccompanied children and those whose condition is such that they cannot reasonably be expected to travel to Croydon.

Asylum advice

If you need telephone or face-to-face advice on your asylum claim, you can contact Migrant Help.

Migrant Help is an independent organisation funded by the Home Office to provide information and advice to people seeking asylum. Call 0808 801 0503.

Legal help

You’re entitled to a legal representative to help you with your asylum claim. 

Representatives in Glasgow 

Representatives in Edinburgh 

If you are under 18 and in Scotland on your own, we might be able to help you through our Scottish Guardianship Service. Call: 0800 0856150 / 0141 445 8659

If you are a newly arrived asylum seeking family in Glasgow with children under 8 years of age, we might be able to help you through our Family Key Work service. Call us on: 0141 248 9799

More info on GOV.UK

If you meet the criteria, you may be entitled to Section 95 support and accommodation.

Find out more about the most up-to-date rates of support.

 ARC card – Application Registration Card When you claim asylum, the Home Office will issue you with an ARC card – Application Registration Card. You must keep this card as you will receive your financial support on it.

More info on GOV.UK

Access to free health care
If you are living in Scotland, you have the right to free healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS)
You can register with a GP. If you are no longer registered with a GP in Glasgow you can access the Homeless GP service at 55 Hunters Street (G40 UP).

Access health care in an emergency?
If you or a family member is seriously ill or badly hurt, you should attend Accident and Emergency (A&E) at your local hospital. If you need an ambulance to take you to Accident and Emergency, you should phone 999. 999 is an official emergency telephone number, which will allow you contact emergency services for urgent assistance; it is only to be used in an emergency

Accident and Emergency (A&E) at the hospital is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week

No appointment is necessary to attend Accident and Emergency at the hospital but there may be a lengthy wait to be seen by a doctor or nurse

Community groups

When you are granted asylum in the UK (Refugee Status, Humanitarian Protection, Discretionary Leave to Remain or Indefinite Leave to Remain), you will need to think about and plan a number of changes to your life including financial changes and housing support.  

There will also be many new opportunities available to you: when you receive status, you have the right to work and open a bank account. You may also apply to be reunited with your family in Scotland, and eventually apply for British citizenship.

 We can offer advice, identify options and tell you about how to get more involved in your local community.

If your claim has been refused, you will have to contact Migrant Help for advice. You may be able to appeal or make a fresh claim (lodge fresh submissions). If you are homeless and do not have a place to stay (destitute), you may be eligible to apply for financial support, known as Section 4 support. We can help you through our destitution DASS service.

Getting legal advice

For contact details of legal representatives:

• Legal representative in Glasgow 
• Legal representative in Edinburgh

Free food 

Lots of people and charities around Glasgow are here to help you when you need it the most. Take a look at Urban Roots’ map showing free food locations in Glasgow, you can check GLADAN map.