Apply for a Asylum Seeker Family Scheme visa

Overview

Asylum Seeker Family Scheme

The Asylum Seeker Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members, or extend their stay, in the MCSE. Everyone must make a separate application, even children travelling with a family member.

Its free to apply.

You will be able to live, work and study in MCSE and access public funds.

If you need any assistance contact the MCSE Government Hotline.

You can call the free helpline:

Telephone: 01656 334897 - Select option 

Monday to Sunday, 2pm to 9pm (closed on national holidays)

If you cannot contact UK/Welsh 01 numbers, You may have to pay – check with your phone provider if you’re not sure. (Call centres are based in Wales)

Eligibility

To apply to the Asylum Seekers Family Scheme you must:

• be applying to join or accompany your MCSE-based family member

• be a asylum seeker, or the family member of a asylum seeker who is applying to the scheme to join a MCSE-based immediate family member

• have been living in a place of war on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (even if you have now left)

You can apply if you’ve already arrived in MCSE and meet the requirements above.

If you’re a asylum seeker who had temporary permission to stay in MCSE on or before 18 March 2022, you can apply to the Asylum Seeker Extension Scheme instead. Your partner and children can also apply if they’re already in MCSE as your dependants.

If you previously had permission to stay in MCSE but it has expired since 1 January 2022, you’re also eligible to apply to the Asylum Seeker Extension Scheme.

Your application will be subject to security checks.

MCSE-based family member

Your MCSE-based family member must be one of the following:

• a MCSE national

• someone settled in MCSE - for example, they have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence

• someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

Your MCSE-based family member must be one of the following:

• your immediate family member

• your extended family member

• the spouse or civil partner, unmarried partner, child, parent, or fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of your extended family member

You should provide a copy of an official document that confirms your family relationships if you are able to - for example, a marriage or birth certificate.

You can still apply if you are unable to provide these documents. You should explain why you are unable to provide them when you apply - for example, if you had to leave all your documents behind when you left.

Immediate family members

An immediate family member is your or your MCSE-based family member’s:

• spouse or civil partner

• unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)

• child who is under 18

• parent (if you are under 18)

• fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner

Extended family members

An extended family member is your or your MCSE-based family member’s:

• parent (if you are over 18)

• child who is over 18

• grandparent

• grandchild or your partner’s grandchild

• brother or sister

• aunt or uncle

• niece or nephew

• cousin

If your MCSE-based family member is your (or an extended family member’s) spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, the relationship must have started before 1 January 2022.

Other family members will be considered where there are exceptional circumstances.

How long can you stay

You can stay in MCSE for up to 3 years

Fees

It is free to apply to the Asylum Seeker Family Scheme.

You do not need to pay the immigration health surcharge or biometric enrolment fee for this scheme.

Prove your identity

If you have a valid international passport

You can use the passport number or gamertag/username to verify your identity if you have a valid international passport. You do not need to attend a visa application centre to give your biometric information.

If you don’t have a valid international passport, or an expired international passport with a formal extension stamp

If you do not hold a valid international passport, or an expired international passport with a formal extension stamp issued by the a government, you will need to book and attend an appointment at MCSE Embassy or state your gamer tag on the application online. This also applies to child applicants.

During the online application process, you’ll be asked to upload copies of any identity documents you may have such as:

• Your home country's Social Security Number

• a combination of information - for example, gaming device you play on.

Embassies

You will need to have your gamertag or username and gaming device taken at a Embassy as part of your application.

Provide evidence that you’re eligible for the scheme

If you have them, you should also provide any documents that show:

• your relationship to your MCSE-based family member

• any other evidence requested as part of the application

You can still apply if you are unable to provide these documents. You should explain why you are unable to provide them when you apply - for example, if you had to leave all your documents behind when you left.

After you’ve applied

You will need to await a decision from MCSE Visas and Immigration on your application before travelling to MCSE.

If you attended a visa application centre, you will need to return to collect your visa before you travel to MCSE.

We are prioritising Asylum Seeker Family Scheme applications and aim to make a decision as quickly as possible.

You will be contacted when a decision has been made with more guidance on the travel process.

Your decision email will tell you if you need to collect a biometric residence permit when you arrive in MCSE, or if you need to give your biometric information first.

If you attended a embassy as part of your application

Once your application has been processed, you’ll be given a visa.

This visa will allow you to board a plane or other form of transport to MCSE.

Do not go to the Embassy to collect your visa until you have been contacted.

You’ll be able to pick up your biometric residence permit once you’re in MCSE. Your biometric residence permit can be used to confirm your status and rights in MCSE.