How to Contact the Home Office
The Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) operate several separate contact lines depending on the nature of your enquiry. This guide covers the main contact routes for immigration, visa, citizenship, EU Settlement Scheme, and asylum support enquiries.
Verify before you call
Contact details and opening hours do change. Always confirm the current numbers on the official GOV.UK contact page before calling, particularly if time has passed since you last checked.
General Immigration Enquiries
For questions about extending your stay in the UK, visas, and general immigration enquiries, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) directly.
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0300 790 6268 (select option 2) |
| Monday – Thursday | 9 am to 4:45 pm (excluding bank holidays) |
| Friday | 9 am to 4:30 pm (excluding bank holidays) |
Citizenship and Nationality Enquiries
For questions about British citizenship, including the Life in the UK Test, contact the Citizenship and Nationality Enquiries team.
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk | |
| Phone | 0300 790 6268 (select option 2) |
| Monday – Thursday | 9 am to 4:45 pm |
| Friday | 9 am to 4:30 pm |
EU Settlement Scheme and Resolution Centre
For help applying to the EU Settlement Scheme, Frontier Worker permit, or Service Provider from Switzerland visa, and for technical problems with the EU Exit: ID Document Check app or online immigration accounts, contact the Resolution Centre.
General public
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0300 123 7379 |
| Monday – Friday | 8 am to 8:30 pm (excluding bank holidays) |
| Saturday – Sunday | 9:30 am to 4:30 pm |
Organisations helping others apply
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0300 790 0566 |
| Monday – Friday | 8 am to 8:30 pm (excluding bank holidays) |
| Saturday – Sunday | 9:30 am to 4:30 pm |
Technical support for online applications
If you experience a technical problem with your online application, email ApplyOnlineE-Support@homeoffice.gov.uk. Include your name, what you are applying for, a description of the problem, and screenshots where possible. Responses typically arrive within one working day.
Asylum Support Enquiries
For enquiries about asylum support — including applying for support, weekly cash payments, emergency payments, and accommodation — contact Migrant Help UK. Note that Migrant Help UK is an independent charity helpline and cannot make decisions on asylum applications themselves.
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0808 801 0503 |
| Monday – Friday | 8 am to 8 pm |
| Emergency | 24-hour service available |
Multilingual Contact Lines
UKVI staff are available in several languages. All multilingual lines use the same number — +44 (0)300 790 6268 — but operate at different times to align with their target regions:
| Language | Operating hours (UK local time) |
|---|---|
| Arabic | Sunday – Thursday, 5 am to 1 pm |
| Cantonese | Monday – Friday, 1 am to 9 am |
| French | Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5 pm |
| Hindi | Monday – Friday, 4 am to midday |
| Mandarin | Monday – Friday, 1 am to 9 am |
| Russian | Monday – Friday, 6 am to 2 pm |
| Spanish | Monday – Friday, 1 pm to 1 am |
Tips for Contacting UKVI
- Have your reference number ready. Whether it is a GWF number from a visa application or a case reference from a previous decision, having it to hand significantly speeds up calls.
- Avoid peak times. Monday mornings and the period immediately after bank holidays tend to have the longest wait times. Mid-week, mid-morning calls are typically faster.
- Be specific about your query. The phone system routes calls by category. Having a clear, concise description of your issue before you call helps you select the right option and reduces transfer time.
- Get a reference number for any call. If you speak to an UKVI agent, ask for a reference number for the call. This is useful if you need to follow up or if there is any dispute about what was said.
Need Help with Your Application?
Contacting the Home Office directly is suitable for checking application status or resolving simple account issues. For substantive immigration advice — visa applications, ILR, appeals, or enforcement matters — you should speak to a regulated immigration adviser rather than relying on information from the UKVI helpline.
UKVI call handlers provide general information only. They do not provide legal advice, and incorrect information received over the phone does not protect you if your application is refused.
Our team at Gateway Immigration Services includes IAA-certified immigration advisers. Contact us if you need regulated advice on any immigration matter.
Need personalised advice?
This guide provides general information only. For advice tailored to your circumstances, speak to one of our immigration advisers.
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