Scottish Refugee & Migrant Centre

In February 2025, the Home Office made changes to the Good Character guidance for citizenship applications. The changes will directly impact many refugees in the UK who wish to apply for British citizenship.

This document will set out some basic information on the changes and what they could mean for you.

Disclaimer:

The new UK Government has cancelled the Rwanda Plan. Our resources were created based on the previous policy. We understand this change may affect many people, and we will provide updated information and support soon.

Disclaimer:

The new UK Government has cancelled the Rwanda Plan. Our resources were created based on the previous policy. We understand this change may affect many people, and we will provide updated information and support soon.

Disclaimer:

The new UK Government has cancelled the Rwanda Plan. Our resources were created based on the previous policy. We understand this change may affect many people, and we will provide updated information and support soon.

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to study in Scotland for people with different immigration statuses.
This factsheet covers: access to pre-school, primary and secondary school; and access to further and higher education.

This factsheet provides information for asylum seekers in Scotland who have permission to carry out paid work while they wait for a decision on their asylum claim.

Factsheet – Information for Asylum Seekers with Permission to Work

This factsheet provides brief information about arriving in Scotland after your Homes for Ukraine Scheme visa is granted.

Visa Delays – Frequently Asked Questions

This factsheet provides brief information about the issues with delay in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Immigration and Asylum Legal Routes

This factsheet provides a brief summary of legal immigration routes for Ukrainians seeking safety in Scotland.

Access to Welfare Benefits (aged 66 or over)

This factsheet provides a brief summary of the possible access to welfare benefits for people aged 66 and older, who are from Ukraine seeking safety in Scotland

Access to Welfare Benefits (aged under 66)

This factsheet provides a brief summary of the possible access to welfare benefits for people aged under 66, who are from Ukraine seeking safety in Scotland

Access to Healthcare

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to access National Health Service (NHS) healthcare for people from Ukraine who are seeking safety in Scotland

Housing and Homelessness Support

This factsheet provides a brief summary of the Housing and Homelessness Support available to people from Ukraine who are seeking safety in Scotland.

Right to Study

This factsheet provides a brief summary of the right to study for Ukrainians seeking safety in Scotland.

Right to Work

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to work if you are arriving in Scotland from Ukraine.

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to access benefits and social work support as an EU citizen in Scotland.

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to study as an EU citizen in Scotland.

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to vote as an EU citizen in Scotland.

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to access NHS healthcare as an EU citizen in Scotland.

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to work as an EU citizen in Scotland.

This factsheet provides a brief summary of your housing rights as an EU citizen in Scotland.

This factsheet explains the rights and entitlements of the family members of refugees who have come to the UK through refugee family reunion.  It was written by our Scottish Family Reunion ServiceScottish Family Reunion Service Referral Form.

This factsheet explains how a person who has been recognised as a refugee in the UK can apply to be reunited with family members still living abroad.  It was written by our Scottish Family Reunion ServiceScottish Family Reunion Service Referral Form.