20 years in the UK: applying for leave to remain

In May we held a well-attended information session in our community space about the 20-year application for leave to remain. The session, led by HMSC’s immigration advisor, took participants through the process of making such an application, exploring the challenges encountered on the way. For those who were unable to join us, or anyone wanting to learn more about this long residence route, we have written up some of the session and included further information resources below.

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Adowa*’s story

Adowa came to the UK from Ghana a few years ago to join her
husband. Things did now work out, and they divorced. He returned to Ghana, and
Adowa had to struggle to survive on her own. At her church, Adowa met a woman
who asked her to clean her house. Then she said Adowa could stay there in a
small room. 

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Yaa’s story

Yaa* didn’t know anyone when she first arrived in the UK. When she became pregnant, she had nowhere to go. She met a woman who let her stay with her, but after a couple of months she was asked to move on. Yaa found a single room to rent, and the father of her baby provided some financial support initially, but once the baby was born, he left her to cope on her own.

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Ella’s story

Ella* was a teenager when she moved from Ghana to the UK. She came here with her mum and siblings to join her dad who had moved here some years previously. Once here, she studied at college and was working too. However, when Ella’s visa expired, it meant she couldn’t study or work anymore.

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Pearl’s story

Pearl* came to London from Nigeria over a decade ago to stay with her aunt. When her visa expired, she tried to renew it, but it was refused. Pearl had a daughter and later tried to register her as a British citizen, but this was refused too. When Pearl’s mum became seriously ill in Nigeria, Pearl was unable to visit her.

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Briony’s story

HMSC’s volunteer Rachel has been meeting with current and former visitors in order to write case studies and give everyone a better sense of what visitors go through. Here is Briony’s story*.

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“They do care”

We often lack the time to collect testimonies from our visitors and to convey the words of gratitude or happy news that we receive, beyond the daily hardships and frustrations. Here is one account of Elizabeth, a visitor who knows our centre very well.

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