Lawyer and Legal Aid

Who is eligible for Legal Aid?

Free legal help is only available to those who are not working or earn no more than £773/month.

If you earn £774+ — you are not entitled to a free lawyer. If you start working and earn more — the lawyer must stop working on your case.

How to find a lawyer

1. Search by postcode: find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk (tick Immigration and asylum)
2. Write to at least 10–20 firms minimum once a week
3. The search can take up to 6 months — places are limited
4. Lawyers are paid only £413 for the entire case — that's why many don't take cases
5. Check our lawyer database on the Directory page

What a lawyer does

• Handles your case up to the appeal tribunal
• Translation of evidence is paid for by the Home Office through the lawyer
• Can request case status updates no more than once every 3 months
• The lawyer may ask for a bank statement to verify your income

Appeal

If you are refused — your solicitor handles the case up to the tribunal. A second type of lawyer — a barrister — will represent you in court. Usually your solicitor finds them through Legal Aid.

Voluntary Return

An applicant can return home voluntarily: visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/vrs

Payment: £1,500–3,000 (for the applicant only). Money is loaded onto the ASPEN card — can only be withdrawn in your country of nationality. Visa ban of up to 5 years. Wait time for a ticket ~4 months.