Citizenship Areas
Advice on the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession, previously known as the Destitute Domestic Violence Concession.
The concession can provide eligible applicants with three months’ permission and the ability to seek public funds, subject to the relevant benefit conditions.
We assess the current or last immigration category, the relationship breakdown and the appropriate next application. MVDAC eligibility is wider than settlement eligibility.
We review the immigration history and family circumstances before recommending an application. The concession and settlement route have different purposes and eligibility rules.
We can agree an appropriate way to communicate with you when discussing the case and preparing the application.
We help assess the immigration options and prepare the case with care, taking account of the applicant’s circumstances and any children.
Assess current and earlier permission, the relevant family circumstances and any immediate application timing issues.
Advise on the appropriate application and supporting information, including individual representations where relevant.
Assist with submission and any identity process or further requests appropriate to the application.
Review the grant or decision and plan the next immigration stage for the applicant and eligible children.
We assess the relevant costs, any fee-waiver option and the appropriate application procedure. An application outcome is not guaranteed.
A grant under MVDAC normally changes existing permission, with specific provisions for qualifying EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status. We assess that effect before advising.
The concession can cover eligible people whose earlier permission was as a partner on specified family, work, study, EU Settlement Scheme or Ukraine routes. It does not cover every person experiencing domestic abuse.
A successful concession application is not a finding that a later settlement application must succeed. We assess the next route independently.
We review whether eligible children can apply with a parent or need a separate application, taking account of their existing permission and circumstances.
Eligible applicants aged eighteen or over with specified earlier child permission may apply independently. We assess the relevant immigration category and family circumstances.
We review the position of each child and any related applications. A parent’s new grant does not automatically update every family member’s status.
The concession and settlement rules differ, so the appropriate next step must be checked for each applicant.
Temporary permission under MVDAC is a short period in which to address future status. We assess whether settlement, another immigration application or departure planning is appropriate, with particular attention to the expiry date and any retained status.
We review the decision, status record and any relevant deadlines before advising on further action. If an application is refused or the route is unavailable, we can assess the reasons and other relevant immigration options.
The concession does not itself grant settlement. We review the full history and future route rather than assuming temporary permission leads automatically to indefinite leave.
Naturalisation has its own status, residence, absence, language, good-character and other conditions, including applicable exemptions. Settlement or concession permission does not automatically confer citizenship.
Support with settlement applications under the Victim of Domestic Abuse rules, including SET(DV) where appropriate.
We assess whether current or earlier permission falls within a category covered by the settlement rules.
We review the individual circumstances, including whether the relevant relationship has broken down permanently because of domestic abuse.
We review the immigration history and family circumstances before recommending an application. The concession and settlement route have different purposes and eligibility rules.
We can agree an appropriate way to communicate with you when discussing the case and preparing the application.
We help assess the immigration options and prepare the case with care, taking account of the applicant’s circumstances and any children.
Assess current and earlier permission, the relevant family circumstances and any immediate application timing issues.
Advise on the appropriate application and supporting information, including individual representations where relevant.
Assist with submission and any identity process or further requests appropriate to the application.
Review the grant or decision and plan the next immigration stage for the applicant and eligible children.
We assess the relevant costs, any fee-waiver option and the appropriate application procedure. An application outcome is not guaranteed.
Relevant family, protection-related, Armed Forces and EU Settlement Scheme categories have specific provisions. Not every dependant partner on a work or study route qualifies for SET(DV).
Applications are normally made in the UK. Eligible victims abandoned overseas may be able to apply under the specific overseas provisions.
We help assess and explain the case without treating a criminal conviction or a police report as a universal prerequisite. The relevant circumstances and available information need to be considered together.
We review whether eligible children can apply with a parent or need a separate application, taking account of their existing permission and circumstances.
Eligible applicants aged eighteen or over with specified earlier child permission may apply independently. We assess the relevant immigration category and family circumstances.
We review the position of each child and any related applications. A parent’s new grant does not automatically update every family member’s status.
The concession and settlement rules differ, so the appropriate next step must be checked for each applicant.
We assist with the appropriate settlement application, including SET(DV) for relevant in-country cases. Qualifying applicants do not have to complete the ordinary partner settlement period first.
We review the decision, status record and any relevant deadlines before advising on further action. If an application is refused or the route is unavailable, we can assess the reasons and other relevant immigration options.
Settlement provides indefinite permission, subject to the applicable rules. We can review proof of status and any later immigration matters for the applicant and children.
Naturalisation has its own status, residence, absence, language, good-character and other conditions, including applicable exemptions. Settlement or concession permission does not automatically confer citizenship.