Were you granted 5 years refugee leave in 2005?

Do you know people who got leave to remain at this time?

If so, please read the important information below and pass on to your friends.

From August 2005, refugees were granted 5 years refugee leave rather than indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Asylum seekers granted humanitarian protection (HP) were given HP for a 5 year period.

In August 2010, leave to remain will expire for the first of these people.

ILPA has produced an Information sheet about what to do.  See directly below:

It is VERY IMPORTANT that people do not wait for their leave to expire before making applications for further leave to remain or ILR.

They should apply for further leave to remain or ILR about a month before their leave expires.

If they do not apply before their leave expires they will become an overstayer

Overstaying is a criminal offence

Overstayers lose their right to work, right to claim benefits and may have to re-establish a need for protection

Do NOT become an overstayer.

Check when your current leave expires and take legal advice about making an application for further leave to remain.

(Source: ZA Summary of notes accompanying a workshop given by Steve Symonds, ILPA Legal Officer, on 5 June 2010 at the Churches’ Refugee Network annual conference)