Life in the United Kingdom as an illegal migrant is very hard.
The truth about illegal migration.
If you come to the UK illegally:
- You could die. Many people are drowned, crushed or frozen to death on these dangerous overcrowded boats. Find out more about the risks of illegal migration.
- You will have committed a crime. Coming to the United Kingdom illegally is a criminal offence.
- You will not be allowed to work. Migrants who break the law and work here illegally are arrested. Wages earned illegally can be seized.
- You will be returned if you have no right to be here. We are returning more people than ever before. Only genuine refugees will receive the protection they need.
- We are now sending people who come to the UK illegally by boat straight back. This means taking you off the boat, locking you up and sending you back on the next plane. Find out more about the UK-France treaty.
Even if you are granted protection, it will only be temporary and limited if you do not get a visa:
- You will no longer have the automatic right to bring your family over. Strict requirements will apply and it may be much more expensive than you think.
- You will be expected to pay towards your living costs where you can, and you may have to sell your valuables to do so.
The United Kingdom is bringing in some of the strictest immigration rules in Europe.
If you work illegally, you will be arrested. If you have no right to be here, you will be returned.
Returns reached their highest levels in nearly a decade.
You could be returned with less money than you started. If you have borrowed money to pay people smugglers, you could be left with debts you cannot pay back.
Illegal migrants struggle in the United Kingdom.
Life in the UK as an illegal migrant is extremely difficult.
If you come here illegally, you will not be allowed to work. It is against the law and it is taken very seriously. Illegal workers are arrested and wages can be seized. Employers will check your right to work and they will be fined or prosecuted if they employ you illegally.
You will struggle to find somewhere to live. You will not be able to automatically bring your family to the UK.
If you have been promised a job by a people smuggler, it is fake. If these criminals decide you owe them a debt, they may turn you into a slave. Find out more about the risks of illegal migration.
Many illegal migrants decide to leave.
Many people who made it across have decided to leave. Others are too ashamed to admit that they were lied to and are suffering.
We gained nothing. Our friends and neighbours would not believe our experiences. It’s not worth working abroad. We still owe the money we borrowed for our journey to the UK.
I wouldn’t make the same decision to travel to the UK by boat. I was lying to my family back home. I’m still in debt and lost my respect and authority amongst my family.
Report a people smuggler
If someone is promising to help you come to the UK without a visa, you should report them.
They do not care about your safety or your future. They may be responsible for people dying on dangerous boats in the English Channel.
Stop them. Report them to us. Your identity will be protected.
Legal travel
If you want to come to the United Kingdom for a better life, the only way to do so is to come here with a valid visa.