IMMIGRATION ADVICE
We provide a free and confidential immigration advice service to Asian women only who have suffered domestic abuse. Our immigration advice is provided by a dedicated regulated (OISC Level 3) immigration advisor who is fluent in some South Asian languages.
We provide free advice and representation in immigration applications under the domestic violence rules (SET DV). This includes applications under the domestic violence concession (DDVC).
The immigration advice project is a free advice and representation service which is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner (OISC). We provide free legal immigration advice to Asian women fleeing domestic violence, who are further vulnerable because of their immigration status in the UK.
We can make applications under the destitute domestic violence concession so that a woman can leave her partner to access a safe space. We also represent cases in the substantive immigration application known as SET DV for indefinite leave to remain in the UK because of domestic abuse.
We provide all the necessary advice and casework support to gather the evidence required. We accept referrals from both organisations and individuals. We are able to provide our service in some common Asian languages, for example, Urdu and Punjabi.
KIRAN HELPLINE -
CALL US NOW ON 020 8558 1986
Phone lines are open Monday - Friday : 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL THE POLICE ON 999
F.A.Q
Frequently Ask Questions
Here are responses to the most common questions we get asked
Q: My passport has expired, can I still make an immigration application ?
A: Yes.
Q: I do not have my documentation, can I still apply?
A: Yes.
Q: My husband has never physically been violent to me. It’ is only mental stress. I don’t think I can apply?
A: Yes you can but contact us to discuss further.
Q: I don’t think I have a visa anymore because my husband refused to apply to extend it for me. Can I still apply?
A: Contact us to discuss further.
How we've helped
- Saadiya -
“Saadiya came to our refuge with her son, after fleeing domestic abuse from her husband. She came to the UK in 2016 on a spousal visa and obtained indefinite leave to remain under destitute domestic violence with the help of Kiran Support Services. Saadiya's husband treated her like a slave having to do all the household chores. She was verbally, physically, emotionally and financially abused by her husband. He didn't allow Saadiya to go anywhere and to have contact with her family. She suffered a lot of physical. Emotional and financial abuse at the hand of her husband and In-laws. However finally after speaking to someone at her sons’s nursery she gets the courage to contact police who referred her to Kiran Support Services where she was offered temporary accommodation and support.
Saadiya received one-to-one and practical support from refuge staff to claim welfare benefits and attended life skills courses. She was referred to attend counselling. She was supported to make informed choices about her future and slowly she became more positive about life and started gaining her confidence back. She received help in applying to the borough of choice to make a homelessness application and further received re-settlement support. Saadiya has now gained a paid employment and living a stress and abuse free life with her son in a borough of her choice. “
- Iram -
" I had just turned 18 years old and was new to the country, I could not speak much English and I feared for my life, when I ran out of my family home with just my passport to the nearest police station.
I was then referred to KSS by my social worker. The refuge support worker understood my situation and did not judge me when I told her my dad was forcing me to marry my first cousin back home. I felt heard and believed not just by my support worker but also my counsellor.
When I first arrived in the refuge I felt alone, depressed and scared, but with the support from KSS and my case worker I was not just provided a safe place to sleep but was emotionally supported through counselling and one to one sessions.
I was also worried about money as I could not apply for benefits, however KSS financially supported me in buying food and clothes as I had nothing while my immigration fought my case.
My caseworker helped me enrol onto a training scheme which led to employment and this boosted my self- esteem and confidence. I also felt safe as I was supported in getting a Forced Marriage Protection order against my dad. If it wasn’t for KSS I would probably be stuck in a forced marriage. KSS changed my life. "