New Domestic Violence immigration rules for those outside the UK

The Home Office yesterday, introduced new immigration rules enabling victims of domestic abuse to apply for permission to enter this route from outside the UK, but only if he/she was ‘abandoned’ there. Please note, applicants, can of course continue to make applications from within the UK so long as they are here and meet the criteria.

It applies to those who have or had permission to remain in the UK as a dependant through the partner rules, as a partner of someone with refugee status or a member of the armed forces.

The purpose of the change is to provide a route to those who have been ‘abandoned’ outside the UK, as they are more likely to face obstacles accessing immigration assistance.

We will shortly update the Victims of Domestic violence visa category to reflect the changes.