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UK government support for Chagossians

This page provides information on UK government support to people born on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago and their descendants.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Home Office, and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published
16 August 2022
Last updated
29 August 2023 — See all updates

The UK government provides a range of support to people who were born on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago and their descendants (‘Chagossians’). This includes community projects in the UK and Mauritius as well as a route to get British citizenship.

Visits to BIOT

The UK government has previously arranged visits to BIOT / Chagos Archipelago for people of Chagossian descent. These visits were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the UK government is exploring how we may be able to restart visits in the near future.

Working on Diego Garcia

There are a range of job opportunities on Diego Garcia open to British, Mauritian and Seychellois citizens. People in these jobs live on the island and support the US Navy base operating there by managing facilities, maintaining vehicles, and providing administrative support.

KBR Inc is the main contractor responsible for recruiting and managing support staff at the base. You can review and apply for job vacancies on KBR’s website, which is updated regularly.

Applying for British citizenship

In November 2022, the UK government launched a new British nationality route for individuals of Chagossian descent. It allows them to become British citizens free of charge, and to build their future in the UK should they wish to.

The Home Office is working with ‘We Are Digital’ to help you with your application if you need assistance. Find out how to get help with your application.

If you have any queries relating to the citizenship process that the guidance does not cover, you can also email ChagossianEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.

You can use these links to apply for citizenship:

Advice for Chagossians who are British citizens

Chagossians who are British citizens can apply for British passports. Find out more about how to apply for a passport and about preparing for life in the UK:

Support for Chagossians

In 2016, the UK government announced a package of support to address the most pressing needs of Chagossian communities in the UK and overseas. The government is funding a number of projects in the UK and Mauritius to support Chagossians. You can find out more about how to get support:

Published 16 August 2022
Last updated 29 August 2023 + show all updates

  1. New guidance added for Chagossians who are British citizens: pre-departure information, and information about arriving in the UK.

  2. New guidance added to the 'British citizenship' section on 'Moving to the UK and British citizenship: guidance for Chagossians'

  3. Added a link to new guidance for Chagossians on how to get UK government support.

  4. Added list of projects funded by the Chagossian Support Package, and further information on how to get help with applying for UK nationality

  5. Added information about working on Diego Garcia

  6. New information for people of Chagossian descent on how to apply for British citizenship, and on opportunities for study at Middlesex University Mauritius.

  7. Updated to show that the Nationality and Borders Act provision relating to Chagossians will come into force on 23 November 2022.

  8. First published.

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