Through our partnership with Refuaid we are able to offer loans to some families for the cost of travel to the UK.
You do not need to be working to receive a loan.
The loan is interest free, you will not pay any costs or charges. You will only repay the amount of the loan. Repayments will be small amounts and can start up to three months after you receive the money.
Criteria
We will only be able to support families who:
- Have their UK entry clearance visas.
- Have, or are able to obtain the relevant exit permits.
- Are able to demonstrate that they have no other means of funding their travel.
- Will accept any flight offered including those that may be indirect.
- Have estimated flight costs of over £750. Please note whilst we have no upper limit our ability to support or offer loans is dependent on available funding.
AND
- There are children living without either parent, in unstable or unsafe care arrangements.
- There is specific, serious and immediate risk to the family. Unfortunately, this does not include all families travelling from conflict zones, at risk of persecution or needing routine medical care.
Read about Fawad’s experience with a loan
Making an application
To apply for a loan we will need the following information. Please do not send this until asked to do so. We may have questions about the information you send and can help you work through any gaps or issues. It is really important that you do not borrow the money or book flights before you receive the money from us. This can invalidate your application.
To confirm your eligibility:
- Sponsor’s BRP (front and back) and e-visa share code (Please make sure to provide a share code for Immigration Status NOT for Right to Rent or Right to Work)
- Passport(s) for family member(s) travelling
- Entry visa(s) for family member(s) travelling
- Exit permit(s) for family member(s) travelling or confirmation none are required
- Confirmation of where the arriving family members will live or the plan for securing housing on arrival
Information for the loan:
- Preferred departure airport and any possible alternatives
- Preferred arrival airport and any possible alternatives
- Sponsor’s UK phone number (this should work in Whatsapp if possible)
- Sponsor’s email address
- Sponsor’s current address and living situation (Local authority/council accommodation, private rental, with friends or family, street homeless etc.)
- Details of your income and expenditure (we will go through this with you)
- Details of any debts or loans
- Two references from people who know you. This is someone Refuaid can contact to confirm your details and can be friends but not family members.
- Date of arrival into the UK
- Breakdown of the costs you need the loan to cover
- Information on your monthly costs and current loans or credit (your caseworker will go through this with you)
Documents for loan application:
- Bank statements from the last three months
- Proof of income (latest Universal Credit payment or payslip)
- Proof of address (Two of the following; Full or Learners driving licence, tenancy agreement, utility bills, council tax letter or DWP award letter)
- Credit score (you can use a website like Clear Score or Experian or sometimes find this in your banking app)
Information to help us support you:
- Details of any agency available to support with housing, benefits and other arrangements after family member(s) arrive
- Details of any children or dependent family member(s) not included in the travel assistance request
- Any disabilities or medical conditions for any family member(s) that will affect their ability to travel
- Any other concerns about the travel, eg issues with airport authorities, family not having legal status in the departure country etc