newcomers · United Kingdom
Newcomers in United Kingdom
First steps, trusted services and people who have done it before you.
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Newcomers · United Kingdom · 49 public bodies
United Kingdom · newcomers
Newcomers in United Kingdom
First steps, trusted services and people who have done it before you.
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United Kingdom
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First steps
This guide for United Kingdom is being prepared and will be reviewed by a qualified professional. It gives information and referrals, never legal advice.
First steps
6 topics- 01Status and documents
Residence, asylum and family reunification: where to find official information and qualified help.
- 02Work and qualifications
Recognition of qualifications, licensing paths and first jobs.
- 03Language
Host-language courses and heritage-language schools.
- 04Health and wellbeing
Registering with health services and finding culturally competent care.
- 05Housing and money
Housing, banking and avoiding scams that target newcomers.
- 06Community
Meeting people safely: the local cell, events and mentors.
Public bodies for newcomers in United Kingdom
49 public bodies, by what each one deals with. Each one is checked against its official page (last on 23 October 2026).
Settlement and integration
6 bodies- Refugee Councilsecondary
Advice, support and guidance for refugees and people seeking asylum.
- Citizens Adviceverified
Free, confidential advice on work, benefits, housing, debt and immigration.
- Scottish Refugee Councilverified
Advice and support for refugees and people seeking asylum in Scotland.
- Wales of Sanctuaryverified
Official information for people seeking sanctuary in Wales.
- Birmingham City Councilverified
The council's official site for local services.
- Liverpool City Councilverified
The council's official site for local services.
Study and research centres
5 bodies- Centre for Iranian Studiesverified
A research centre for Iranian studies with seminars and public lectures.
- Institute of Iranian Studiesverified
A research institute on Iranian history, culture and language, with a Persian library.
- Pembroke Shahnameh Centre for Persian Studiessecondary
A centre for research on Persian literature, history and art.
- Centre for Kurdish Studiesverified
A research centre for Kurdish studies.
- British Institute of Persian Studiesverified
A national body that supports research on Iran and the Persian world.
Asylum and refugee protection
4 bodies- Claim asylum in the UKverified
How to claim asylum, the screening, the interview and decisions.
- Asylum supportverified
Housing and money support while an asylum claim is decided.
- Migrant Help asylum advice lineverified
Free advice and guidance for people in the asylum system.
- UNHCR in the United Kingdomsecondary
The UN Refugee Agency office for the UK.
Health and mental health
4 bodies- Register with a GP surgeryverified
How to register with a family doctor. You do not need proof of address or immigration status.
- NHS 111verified
Urgent medical help when it is not an emergency, with interpreters.
- NHS Talking Therapiesverified
Free talking therapies for anxiety and depression. You can refer yourself.
- Freedom from Tortureverified
Therapy and support for survivors of torture.
Legal help and discrimination
4 bodies- Legal aidverified
What legal aid covers and who can get it.
- Find an immigration adviserverified
Check that an immigration adviser is registered before you use them.
- Discrimination: your rightsverified
Your rights under the Equality Act and where to get help.
- Equality and Human Rights Commissionsecondary
The national equality body for Great Britain.
Work and business
3 bodies- Find a jobverified
The official job search service.
- Set up a businessverified
Steps and rules for starting a business.
- Apply for a National Insurance numberverified
How to get the number you need to work and claim benefits.
Citizenship
2 bodies- Apply for citizenshipverified
Eligibility and steps for British citizenship.
- Life in the UK Testverified
The test you need for settlement or citizenship.
Culture and festivals
2 bodies- Islamic Middle East collectionsverified
Museum collections that include art and objects from Iran.
- Iran Heritage Foundationverified
A charity that supports the study and culture of Iran.
Money and digital help
2 bodies- MoneyHelperto verify
Free, impartial help with money and pensions, backed by government.
- Universal Creditverified
The main benefit for people on a low income or out of work.
Disability
2 bodies- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)verified
Support for extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability.
- Scopeverified
Advice and support for disabled people and their families.
Schools and education
2 bodies- School admissionsverified
How to choose and apply for a school place.
- Apply for free school mealsverified
Free school meals for children in families on certain benefits.
Older people
2 bodies- Age UKverified
Advice and services for older people.
- Pension Creditverified
Extra money for people over State Pension age on a low income.
Family and women
2 bodies- National Domestic Abuse Helplineverified
Free, confidential support for anyone affected by domestic abuse, open day and night.
- Report domestic abuseverified
How to report domestic abuse and find help.
Housing
2 bodies- Council housingverified
How to apply for a council home through your local council.
- Shelter housing adviceverified
Free housing and homelessness advice in England.
Language learning
2 bodies- Improve your English, maths and digital skillsverified
How to find English courses for adults, often free for eligible learners.
- LearnEnglishto verify
Free online English lessons and practice for adults.
Arrival and status
1 body- Visas and immigrationverified
Official guidance on visas, status and settlement in the UK.
Emergency numbers
1 body- 999: police, fire, ambulance, coastguardverified
Call 999 in an emergency. Call 111 for urgent medical help.
Mother-tongue and heritage languages
1 body- GCSE and A level Persianverified
A school examination in Persian that pupils can take in England.
Recognition of qualifications
1 body- UK ENICverified
The national agency for recognising qualifications gained abroad.
Young people
1 body- Childlineto verify
Free, confidential help for anyone under 19. Phone 0800 1111.
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