54

I would like to inquire as to what kind of assistance is available for voluntary repatriation to my country, Nigeria?

I’ve spent 14 years in the UK, worked-studied and even started a family here. Unfortunately due to a failed relationship and other factors such as my current homelessness (convictions... nothing serious, never been to prison but was fined and did a whole bunch of community sentences) I was issued a one stop deportation order by the Home Office. It said I could appeal but I have 28 days to leave the country voluntarily.

In light of everything that has happened to me within the last year and up to this point, I don’t even want to appeal it, I simply just want to leave and start afresh at home. The current hostile environment, the anti-immigrant bias Brexit has brought, my so-called criminal record, lack of financial status, etc. are key hindrances to any progression I could possibly hope for if I stay here. I had a dream, 14 years it’s not a reality and with that bitterness I just rather leave than continue to fight to stay in the uk. Long story short, I would like to leave on my own accord and simply can’t afford to do so. I was wondering what assistance programs might be available?

I have tried contacting airlines directly to see if they can “charitable spare” a seat on any flight heading towards Nigeria within the next 28 days. Nothing has come of this. I really don’t have friends or family I can rely on either here or in Nigeria and would need some kind of help to leave and perhaps something financial to help me the first month I’m there to have a roof over my head so one is not aimlessly walking the streets.

I really don’t want to be “deported” or have an enforced deportation process where my liberty is curtailed. May I kindly ask, what may be the solution/s? Please at this stage, nothing would sound outlandish and I am willing to try anything, I just want to leave peaceful with some iota of dignity. Any suggestions? I am extremely grateful for any input.

Robert Columbia
  • 7,698
  • 5
  • 32
  • 62
Martin
  • 509
  • 4
  • 4
  • 22
    I have to say, I'm not sure that leaving is the right decision for you or your child(ren). Do check that you aren't clinically depressed before you make an irrevocable decision. – Martin Bonner supports Monica Feb 06 '19 at 15:41
  • 25
    @MartinBonner Many African countries are not th P’s hellhole they are portrayed to be. Being a west African immigrant myself I can say many times self deportation is a better option (particularly for educated persons) in the long term and preferable to the misery, uncertainty, hopelessness an undocumented immigrant with an order of deportation feels in the west. The west is no longer what it was thirty years ago for most African immigrants. – Augustine of Hippo Feb 06 '19 at 15:45
  • 30
    @HonoraryWorldCitizen I'd say the same if the OP was talking about returning to Australia or America. The point is that both countries are not the country his family lives in. Losing that contact is a major loss. – Martin Bonner supports Monica Feb 06 '19 at 15:50
  • 8
    https://www.gov.uk/return-home-voluntarily – Nathan Feb 06 '19 at 16:26
  • 8
    Have you talked to the Nigerian government? I also come from an oil exporting democracy with a corrupt government, and our state department has a program to fly citizens home when needed. – Harper - Reinstate Monica Feb 06 '19 at 17:46
  • 5
    I have reached out to my embassy and asked what consular assistance I can get, they were aghast I was even considering just leaving voluntarily without putting up a “fight”.. so much so, they used the adage I’m jumping from the pot into the fire (current state of affairs in Nigeria). I was offered a travel document (absence of a valid passport) for a fee, but that’s it. They are not responsible for flights and have no programs. It was suggested maybe friends and family or religious organisations which can help. It’s mind buggling,Nigeria has almost zero assistance for it citizens. – Martin Feb 06 '19 at 19:27
  • There is, or was, a program offering free flights home to persons homeless in New York City, but that doesn't really help as a ticket to the USA would probably be as much as one straight home, you would need a USA visa anyway, and "I want to be homeless in NYC so I can qualify for a free charity ticket to Nigeria" isn't likely to work as a reason for entry. – Robert Columbia Feb 07 '19 at 13:20
  • 1
    @HonoraryWorldCitizen - Although not all African countries are 'hell-holes', OP would be well advised to avoid committing any further crimes in Nigeria. Their legal system is substantially less lenient than the UK's; https://www.quora.com/What-are-Nigerian-prisons-like – Valorum Feb 07 '19 at 16:50
  • @Martin I really hope you are okay. – fdcpp Dec 19 '23 at 09:49

3 Answers3

46

I'm sorry to hear this, and hope you find a way to rebuild in Nigeria.

The UK government has a scheme to help in just this situation: see https://www.gov.uk/return-home-voluntarily

Even if you think you do not meet the criteria on the website, I strongly suggest getting in contact with them, as they likely have some degree of discretion. Buying you a plane ticket will be less expensive than paying a security contractor to remove you.

Gremlin
  • 1,291
  • 10
  • 20
  • This looks helpful! – Hanky Panky Feb 06 '19 at 17:11
  • 8
    Thank you for your time and input. I came across this program as well while searching online. I have made an “application” to the home office and would hear from them soon (I believe). On the face of it, I don’t qualify as I wasn’t here illegally nor do I fit into any of the categories they listed. Having said that, it’s worth a shot and I applied. Let’s see how it pans out. I promise to keep all posted. – Martin Feb 06 '19 at 18:58
  • 5
    If your stay is not illegal why are they telling you to leave? – Hanky Panky Feb 07 '19 at 04:08
  • 2
    @HankyPanky if I invite you to my house, can I not tell you to leave if you behave badly? – DonQuiKong Feb 07 '19 at 07:54
  • 3
    @HankyPanky It seems the OP has been convicted of a criminal offence. The UK may deport people under such circumstances. – Gremlin Feb 07 '19 at 10:48
  • @Martin, I also see that you don't seem to fit into any of the categories excluded (assuming your conviction wasn't for immigration offences), so there might be hope. – Gremlin Feb 07 '19 at 10:49
18

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.

This answer has a list of how long bans last. Two of the options are: "if they left the UK voluntarily, not at public expense" (I have reworded slightly), and "if they left UK voluntarily, at public expense". Hence it is clearly possible to get the Home Office to pay for your return flight.

I suggest you get in contact with them, there are probably contact details on the letter you received. Say something like "I am happy to leave, but I can't afford to buy a ticket. Can you help?" (I suspect they will be keen to help because it is a lot cheaper to buy you a ticket on a commercial flight than it is to charter a deportation flight, and both count as "one unwanted immigrant removed" to add to their total for bonuses/promotion.)

If you do this, you should ask about what impact accepting such assistance would have if you were to apply for a visitor's visa in the future (for example to visit your family).

Martin Bonner supports Monica
  • 456
  • 3
  • 9
  • 3
    The gentleman prefers to leave voluntarily without being detained and shackles and thrown on a plane like is normally done. – Augustine of Hippo Feb 06 '19 at 15:42
  • 2
    @HonoraryWorldCitizen Further down the list of options is "Removed" and "Deported". I think you will find those are the ones where shackles are involved. – Martin Bonner supports Monica Feb 06 '19 at 15:51
  • 2
    Ah. I've just seen that the answer I linked to was written by, err, @HonoraryWorldCitizen! – Martin Bonner supports Monica Feb 06 '19 at 15:53
  • 4
    Is the OP considered an "illegal immigrant"? I'm not even sure he's there unlawfully at the moment – Azor Ahai -him- Feb 06 '19 at 17:38
  • 5
    Martin, thank you very much for your very detailed response. While this whole event is life changing, I have carefully considered the alternatives. As I said earlier, I’ve been here 14 years, it’s no easy decision to just pack up and leave. Yes, there might be a “desperation” element to it but honestly speaking, on the scale of balance, maybe it for the best. Only time can tell. My mental health has been scared by this issue but no way am I going to be victimised by it. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have been here But sadly, Europe (uk) dint work for me, might for others. – Martin Feb 06 '19 at 19:08
  • 3
    For clarity, I am NOT illegal in the UK. I am here legally, hence why I wasn’t arrested and given the opportunity to appeal my “one stop notice”. – Martin Feb 06 '19 at 19:33
  • 1
    Just in case it isn't clear, that does imply that, should the OP attempt to ever return to the UK in the future, their application quite possibly could be treated differently based on whether they applied for government assistance to return to Nigeria. – Acccumulation Feb 07 '19 at 17:25
  • @Acccumulation Good point - edited. – Martin Bonner supports Monica Feb 08 '19 at 03:52
11

You can get a one way ticket from London to Lagos for under £200.

Google Flights

You can try gofundme.com or the version you have in the uk.

https://www.gofundme.com/

I’ve seen gofundme raise significant funds for some ridiculous proposals way more outlandish than yours.

Being Nigerian unfortunately many people might default to thinking it’s a scam so you may want to get a non-Nigerian friend to post the gofundme appeal on your behalf.

Augustine of Hippo
  • 29,314
  • 7
  • 84
  • 138
  • 12
    Homestly, I would think "help me comply with immigration law and leave UK" should be cheerfully supported by the Brexit crowd. – Harper - Reinstate Monica Feb 06 '19 at 17:40
  • 4
    @Harper That's what I think. However many will think this is another Nigerian scam. – Augustine of Hippo Feb 06 '19 at 17:50
  • Yeah, I would use kickstarter specifically, print out the URL with a short description onto business card sized slips of paper, and hand it out at train stations. The nigerian thing will be an issue, but anyone with a brain will see it's a real kickstarter with a modest goal, and they met OP. Even better, do it through a not-for-dividend charity such as a church. I would also brazenly hand them out in front of UKVI HQ, because those people will totally get it, and one might even say "hey, did you know about this program that exists?" – Harper - Reinstate Monica Feb 06 '19 at 17:54
  • 1
    Thank you for the suggestions of fundraising, yes it did cross my mind to start an online appeal, perhaps this would be something appropriate. It is a double edge sword, Cause while I wish to leave as quiet as possible (without the stigma/shame of been in this disposition) I also seek assistance from others. I’ll set up a page tonight and also post here, see how far it goes. Right now, any little gesture (not nessearily monetary) offer of shelter, job opp..etc) would be most welcome. I am aware of the toxic impression people have of Nigerians and Nigeria. Hence why I would personalise it. – Martin Feb 06 '19 at 19:20
  • 3
    The answer says you can get a ticket for 200 pounds, but the go.fund.me stated goal is 3000 pounds. Either the answer is very wrong or that could lead some people to suspect that it's a Nigerian scam. – Pere Feb 06 '19 at 23:49
  • 2
    @Pere I don’t think it’s unreasonable. £3000 is not a lot of money to start life somewhere after 14 years away. – Augustine of Hippo Feb 07 '19 at 00:49
  • 4
    @Martin, do NOT post you 'fund me' here. We are not a site that allows asking for money. It will be deleted and can get flagged as spam. – Willeke Feb 07 '19 at 11:24
  • 1
    It seems "being a male nigerian" is not a deterrent for many posing in the Internet as English or even as woman...The thread seems a money grabbing scheme unfortunately, even if not true. – Rui F Ribeiro Feb 07 '19 at 11:31