Stateless Person

blank

Get in touch for expert advice

In order to meet its obligation under the United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, the United Kingdom makes provisions for the acquisition of citizenship for persons who are stateless. However, these provisions only apply to a small category of individuals. Stateless persons who do not fall under these provisions benefit from the Home Office asylum policy instructions on statelessness. These ensure the UK’s compliance with the international obligations under the UN Stateless Convention, and provide a means for consideration of those who are stateless, have no other rights to remain in the UK, and cannot be removed.
Stateless people have difficulty accessing basic rights and we are committed to assisting clients who wish to make applications on the basis of their statelessness. Statelessness can occur for several reasons including discrimination against particular ethnic or religious groups or the emergence of a new state. Whatever the cause, statelessness has serious consequences and we hope to be able to help you.

How can we help you

Stateless people have difficulty accessing basic rights and we are committed to assisting clients who wish to make applications on the basis of their statelessness. Statelessness can occur for several reasons including discrimination against particular ethnic or religious groups or the emergence of a new state. Whatever the cause, statelessness has serious consequences and we hope to be able to help you.

What is the procedure for a stateless person to make an application to remain in the UK?

One can make an application as a stateless person if both of the following apply:

  1. You are not recognised as a citizen of any country
  2. You are unable to live permanently in any other country

You must be in the UK in order to apply. If you cannot return to another country because of fear of persecution you should claim asylum first. If your application is successful as a stateless person you will be granted leave to remain for five years and you can apply for settlement once this leave expires. You must apply online and we have experience dealing with many stateless people.
Most frequently we are asked to advise Bidoons, an Arabic term for those without nationality or citizenship. Kuwait practices a system of institutionalised discrimination against its residents knowns as Bidoons, who are long term inhabitants who have been denied Kuwaiti citizenship and are now rendered stateless.