Citizenship Areas
Sensitive advice on the National Referral Mechanism, temporary permission to stay and related immigration matters for people affected by exploitation.
Advice for people affected by trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude or other forms of exploitation.
We assess the referral process alongside your immigration position and any separate protection needs.
We approach cases sensitively and help identify the legal issues requiring attention. Our advice can cover referral support, representations and the immigration consequences of a decision.
The National Referral Mechanism identifies potential victims and provides a framework for support. Recognition through the NRM does not automatically grant immigration permission.
We explain the process and your options before recommending the appropriate next step.
Review your circumstances, existing decisions and any immediate safeguarding concerns.
Explain the NRM and help you engage with an authorised first responder where appropriate.
Help present relevant information and address issues arising during consideration of your case.
Review the outcome and assess reconsideration, immigration permission or other available action.
Only designated first responder organisations can submit an NRM referral. We can advise and assist with preparing information and engagement with the appropriate organisation.
Adults normally need to give informed consent to enter the NRM. Different safeguarding and consent arrangements apply to children. Support arrangements also vary across the UK.
The NRM involves an initial reasonable grounds decision and a later conclusive grounds decision. We explain what a decision means and review any further information needed.
Where a decision is negative, we can assess whether reconsideration is appropriate and advise on the relevant process.
For eligible confirmed victims within scope, temporary permission is considered following a positive conclusive grounds decision without a separate initial application. A positive decision does not guarantee a grant.
We assess whether permission may be necessary in connection with recovery, seeking compensation or cooperation with an investigation or criminal proceedings.
NRM identification and an asylum claim are separate processes. We review any risk on return and the interaction with an existing immigration case.
Related advice is available on our Asylum and Humanitarian Protection and Further Submissions and Fresh Claims pages.
We consider safeguarding, the child’s own circumstances and the appropriate referral and immigration advice.
Eligible children in the UK may be considered under the victim’s temporary permission provisions. We assess their individual position.
There is no general partner route attached to temporary permission for victims. We review whether a partner or another relative needs a separate immigration application.
Family relationships, protection needs and existing permission should be assessed together before deciding the next steps.
Existing holders may be able to seek an extension. We review the basis of the grant, including earlier modern slavery discretionary leave, and advise on the appropriate process.
We assess the decision and the available reconsideration procedure. A refusal should not be treated as an opportunity simply to make the same initial application again.
The temporary permission route does not itself lead to settlement. We can assess any separate immigration route and later nationality questions against your circumstances.