Guidance

Moving to the UK and British citizenship: guidance for Chagossians

Published 4 May 2023

This guidance is for people of Chagossian descent who have, or are applying for, British citizenship and are planning to move to the UK. It applies to British citizens. Non-British citizens moving to the UK will not be entitled to the same level of support.

As a British citizen living in the UK, you will be entitled to certain types of support from the British state. This includes access to the National Health Service (NHS) and to free primary and secondary education for children.

Access to some support is based on length of residency in the UK. You may therefore only be able to access limited support when you first arrive in the UK.

If you move to the UK, you must make your own plans for where you will live, as you will need to pay for your own accommodation for the foreseeable future. If you do not do this, you may be at risk of becoming homeless. The cost of renting accommodation in the UK can be high and will vary, depending on where you choose to live.

If you are eligible for social housing, it is likely you will have to wait a long time for a suitable property to rent. Most local authorities have long waiting lists, often well over a year.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I move to the UK before I’m granted British citizenship?

If you travel to the UK before being granted British citizenship, you must follow the existing UK visa rules. If you travel to the UK without British citizenship and are suspected of planning to break the existing UK visa rules, you are likely to be turned away at the border.

If you stay in the UK without permission, you will not be able to access work, benefits, or services while your British citizenship application is being considered.

2. Will I receive a British passport when I am granted British citizenship?

No. You must apply separately for a British passport once you have been granted citizenship.

Find out how to apply for a British passport.

3. Will I need to pay for a British passport?

Yes. Find out about passport fees.

4. Do I need a British passport to move to the UK?

To avoid delays at the UK border and the risk of refusal of entry, British citizens travelling to the UK need either a British passport or a certificate of entitlement in another passport (for example Mauritian or Seychellois) that they hold.

If you are moving to the UK, having a British passport will allow you to prove your identity, your entitlement to live in the UK, and your right to work and rent property.

5. Will I need to pay for my own flights to the UK?

Yes. If you wish to move to the UK, you must arrange and pay for your own flights.

6. Will I be given accommodation when I arrive in the UK?

No. You should make your own accommodation arrangements before you travel to the UK.

If you intend to find private rented accommodation, think about how much rent you can afford to pay. The cost of renting accommodation in the UK can be high, and will vary depending on where you choose to live.

If you are eligible for social housing, it is likely you will have to wait a long time for a suitable property to rent. Most local authorities have long waiting lists, often well over a year.

7. What will happen if I don’t have anywhere to live?

If you find yourself homeless in the UK, your local council can provide advice and assess whether you are entitled to housing support. The type of support you are entitled to will depend on your individual circumstances. If you have given up a home overseas to come to the UK, you may not be entitled to some types of housing support.

Find out about help if you’re homeless in the UK.

8. Will I be able to access medical care when I arrive?

You will be able to access the NHS free of charge in England if you are a British citizen and ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. To be ordinarily resident you must be lawfully in the UK and properly settled in the UK for the time being.

You should register with an NHS doctor (known as a General Practitioner or GP) for everyday health issues. You do not need to provide proof of address or immigration status, and identity document, or an NHS number to register with a GP.

Find out about registering with a GP in England.

To access specialist health services, you may need to provide evidence to your health provider that you are ordinarily resident in the UK.

This guidance applies to medical care in England. Different rules apply in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

9. Will I be able to enrol my child/children in school?

In England, parents must ensure their children receive a suitable full-time education between the ages of 5 to 16. However, children are entitled to a place at a government-funded school from the start of the school year (1 September) following their fourth birthday.

You can apply for a school place for your child either when you arrive or before you move to the UK.

For help finding a government-funded school place, you will need to contact the school admissions team in the local council area in England where you live, or plan to live. They will tell you which schools have vacancies. You can find a local council using a UK postcode.

This guidance applies to getting a school place in England. Different processes apply in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

10. Will I be given a job when I arrive in the UK?

No. You can search for jobs to apply for, and get support to find a job using the online JobHelp service.

11. Will my qualifications be recognised in the UK?

If you have non-UK qualifications, you can apply for a Statement of Comparability to help ensure your qualifications are recognised by UK employers and education providers.

The UK government is funding the cost of Statements of Comparability for eligible Chagossians. To apply, or for more information, contact fcdo@ecctis.com.

12. Can I bring my non-British family members to the UK with me?

Individuals who do not have British citizenship and who wish to move to the UK will need to follow the existing UK visa rules.