Stateless Person

You can apply to stay in the UK as a stateless person if you’re not recognised as a citizen of any country.

To be eligible to apply, you must also be:

  • in the UK
  • unable to return to another country as a result of being stateless

If you’ve already claimed asylum or have an outstanding human rights claim, you must wait until you have a decision. You can apply to stay as a stateless person if it’s refused.

The term ‘stateless person’ means a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.

Statelessness occurs for a variety of reasons, including discrimination against minority groups in nationality legislation, failure to include all residents in the body of citizens when a state becomes independent (state succession) and conflicting laws between states.

In some countries, citizenship can be lost automatically after prolonged residence in another country. The absence of proof of birth, origins or legal identity in a number of countries can also increase the risk of statelessness.

Applications for leave on the basis of statelessness will not be accepted for consideration until any asylum claim has been finally determined or withdrawn, including the consideration of any further submissions. Similarly, applications for leave to remain as a stateless person will not be accepted if they amount to the submission of further evidence relating to protection needs.

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