You're in the UK. Everything is new. Here are concrete steps. No fluff.
English
free
ESOL — free English courses
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) — free courses at colleges across the UK. Free for asylum seekers if you've been waiting 6+ months for a decision and your bail conditions don't say "no study".
Levels: Pre-entry (from scratch), Entry 1-3 (basic), Level 1-2 (advanced). Start at any level — they'll test you and place you.
How to enrol:
1. Find your nearest college at gov.uk
2. Go in person — ask for "ESOL enrolment"
3. Or call Migrant Help — they'll help you find a course nearby
Courses usually start in September and January, but many colleges enrol year-round.
Levels: Pre-entry (from scratch), Entry 1-3 (basic), Level 1-2 (advanced). Start at any level — they'll test you and place you.
How to enrol:
1. Find your nearest college at gov.uk
2. Go in person — ask for "ESOL enrolment"
3. Or call Migrant Help — they'll help you find a course nearby
Courses usually start in September and January, but many colleges enrol year-round.
community
Free courses from organisations
Beyond colleges, there are free ESOL classes from charities — often without a queue and with more flexible schedules. Search through:
New Citizens' Gateway — courses for refugees and asylum seekers
City of Sanctuary ESOL — database of informal ESOL classes across the UK
Refugee Education UK — help with college enrolment
New Citizens' Gateway — courses for refugees and asylum seekers
City of Sanctuary ESOL — database of informal ESOL classes across the UK
Refugee Education UK — help with college enrolment
while you wait
Learn on your own — free apps
While you wait for a place on a course — start on your own. All free:
Duolingo — gamified lessons, 10-15 minutes a day. Download from App Store / Google Play.
BBC Learning English — videos, podcasts, grammar. App and website at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish.
YouTube — search "English for beginners" — thousands of free lessons.
Even 15 minutes a day is progress. Seriously.
Duolingo — gamified lessons, 10-15 minutes a day. Download from App Store / Google Play.
BBC Learning English — videos, podcasts, grammar. App and website at bbc.co.uk/learningenglish.
YouTube — search "English for beginners" — thousands of free lessons.
Even 15 minutes a day is progress. Seriously.
Work
rules
Permission to Work
By default, asylum seekers are not allowed to work in the UK. But you can apply for Permission to Work if:
1. You've been waiting for an asylum decision for 12+ months
2. The delay is not your fault (you haven't missed interviews or caused delays)
From March 2026: if permission is granted, you can work in roles at RQF 6+ level (graduate level) — this covers many jobs in IT, medicine, engineering, education and more.
How to apply: send a request to the Home Office. Best done through a lawyer — find a free lawyer.
1. You've been waiting for an asylum decision for 12+ months
2. The delay is not your fault (you haven't missed interviews or caused delays)
From March 2026: if permission is granted, you can work in roles at RQF 6+ level (graduate level) — this covers many jobs in IT, medicine, engineering, education and more.
How to apply: send a request to the Home Office. Best done through a lawyer — find a free lawyer.
NI Number
National Insurance Number
NI Number — needed for work and taxes. Usually issued automatically after you get refugee status.
If you haven't received it: call 0800 141 2079 (England, Scotland, Wales) or 0800 587 0024 (Northern Ireland).
Ask if you've been issued an NI Number. If not — they'll tell you what you need to apply. Since October 2024 — you can see your NI Number in your UKVI account (eVisa).
If you haven't received it: call 0800 141 2079 (England, Scotland, Wales) or 0800 587 0024 (Northern Ireland).
Ask if you've been issued an NI Number. If not — they'll tell you what you need to apply. Since October 2024 — you can see your NI Number in your UKVI account (eVisa).
LGBTQI+
Micro Rainbow — Moving On
A programme specifically for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers. They help with:
— Writing your CV
— Interview preparation
— One-on-one mentoring
— Access to training and volunteering
— Opening a bank account
All free. Safe environment — everyone on the team understands the LGBTQI+ experience.
— Writing your CV
— Interview preparation
— One-on-one mentoring
— Access to training and volunteering
— Opening a bank account
All free. Safe environment — everyone on the team understands the LGBTQI+ experience.
while you wait
Volunteering
You can volunteer at any time — even without Permission to Work. It's a great way to:
— Practise your English
— Make connections
— Get references for future jobs
— Simply get out of the house
Search on ncvo.org.uk or ask at local charity shops — they almost always take volunteers.
— Practise your English
— Make connections
— Get references for future jobs
— Simply get out of the house
Search on ncvo.org.uk or ask at local charity shops — they almost always take volunteers.
Housing
asylum support
Section 95 — housing from the Home Office
If you're an asylum seeker with no money and nowhere to live — you have the right to support under Section 95. This means:
— Housing (usually a shared house; they can place you in any city in the UK)
— Money for food and basic needs: £49.18 per week per person on an ASPEN card
How to apply: through Migrant Help — they'll fill in the application for you.
Support continues while you wait for your asylum decision. If refused — there's Section 4.
— Housing (usually a shared house; they can place you in any city in the UK)
— Money for food and basic needs: £49.18 per week per person on an ASPEN card
How to apply: through Migrant Help — they'll fill in the application for you.
Support continues while you wait for your asylum decision. If refused — there's Section 4.
LGBTQI+ housing
Micro Rainbow — safe housing
Safe temporary housing specifically for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers who are homeless or in danger. A home where you don't have to hide. Also: workshops, support groups, community events.
LGBTQ+
Stonewall Housing
Helping LGBTQ+ people with housing since 1983. If you're homeless or living somewhere unsafe — they can help.
— Housing helpline
— Temporary housing in safe houses
— Support for refugees and asylum seekers
— Support groups and workshops
In 2025 they helped 3,200+ people. Based in London, Brighton and the south of England.
— Housing helpline
— Temporary housing in safe houses
— Support for refugees and asylum seekers
— Support groups and workshops
In 2025 they helped 3,200+ people. Based in London, Brighton and the south of England.
16-25 years
akt — LGBTQ+ youth
If you're 16-25 and have nowhere to live — akt can help. Since 1989 they've supported LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness. 1 in 4 homeless young people in the UK is LGBTQ+.
— Help with safe housing
— Mental health support
— Help with work and training
— Community building
— Help with safe housing
— Mental health support
— Help with work and training
— Community building
for everyone
Shelter — general housing help
The largest housing organisation in the UK. Free housing advice for everyone — regardless of immigration status. If you don't know where to start — begin here.
Banking
asylum support
ASPEN card
If you receive Section 95 support — you'll be given an ASPEN card. It's a debit card that gets topped up with money every week.
— You can withdraw cash from ATMs
— You can pay in shops
— It arrives automatically after Section 95 is approved
The card is issued by Migrant Help.
— You can withdraw cash from ATMs
— You can pay in shops
— It arrives automatically after Section 95 is approved
The card is issued by Migrant Help.
digital bank
Opening an account with an ARC
Some digital banks open accounts with minimal documents. Try:
Suits Me — accepts ARC + selfie. The easiest option for asylum seekers.
Monzo — accepts BRP but not ARC. If you have a BRP — give it a try.
Starling — digital bank, sometimes accepts ARC.
Traditional banks: Lloyds sometimes opens accounts with ARC or BRP even without a permanent address. Go into a branch and ask for a "basic bank account".
Suits Me — accepts ARC + selfie. The easiest option for asylum seekers.
Monzo — accepts BRP but not ARC. If you have a BRP — give it a try.
Starling — digital bank, sometimes accepts ARC.
Traditional banks: Lloyds sometimes opens accounts with ARC or BRP even without a permanent address. Go into a branch and ask for a "basic bank account".
after status
Bank account after getting status
After receiving refugee status or leave to remain, opening an account is much easier. You'll need:
— BRP / eVisa
— NI Number
— Proof of address (council letter, utility bill)
Open a "basic bank account" at any High Street bank — Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest. It's free.
— BRP / eVisa
— NI Number
— Proof of address (council letter, utility bill)
Open a "basic bank account" at any High Street bank — Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest. It's free.
Transport
London
Oyster with ARC — discounted travel
If you're an asylum seeker in London receiving Section 95 support — you can apply for a discounted Oyster (Zip Oyster Photocard for ages 11-17, or a discount for adults).
Ask Migrant Help or your local support organisation — they'll help you apply.
Ask Migrant Help or your local support organisation — they'll help you apply.
discounts
Railcard — train discounts
16-25 Railcard or 26-30 Railcard — 1/3 off all trains across the UK. Costs £30 per year. Pays for itself in 1-2 trips.
Buy at railcard.co.uk. You'll need a document with your date of birth.
Buy at railcard.co.uk. You'll need a document with your date of birth.
Connectivity
free
Free SIM card
giffgaff — order a free SIM at giffgaff.com. Delivered by post. Top up from £6 per month.
Lebara — also a free SIM, cheap international calls. Order at lebara.co.uk.
No documents needed. Just order and activate.
Lebara — also a free SIM, cheap international calls. Order at lebara.co.uk.
No documents needed. Just order and activate.
WiFi
Free internet
Libraries — every public library in the UK has free WiFi and computers. No card needed, no address needed. Just walk in.
Many cafes and McDonalds also offer free WiFi. Look for a "Free WiFi" network or ask for the password.
Many cafes and McDonalds also offer free WiFi. Look for a "Free WiFi" network or ask for the password.
Next steps
Important: The information on this page is general and may become outdated. Asylum support, Permission to Work and banking product rules change regularly. For up-to-date information, contact a lawyer through Legal Aid or call Migrant Help (0808 801 0503). Banking products are regulated by the FCA.