Refugees in the UK are faced with many challenges on their journey of integration into their new home, many of which are people with disabilities. Applying for a citizenship in the UK cost a substantial sum close to £5000 for a family with two children, which is a large amount for non-established immigrants, where in countries like Germany, individual citizenship application fees are approximately (€275). There are currently no exceptions, or reductions considered by the home office assuming that refugees are safe once in the country and there is no urgency for those individuals to become citizens.

Being able to become a citizen for a refugee means finally gaining their freedom and restoring their sense of identity which make one feel enabled and their social rights upheld. Learning English and understanding the culture is key to refugee success which takes a lot of time and efforts making employment earning and saving towards additional expenses hard to achieve, especially while saving to buy first home essentials and household items. With the current economic climate, the citizenship fees amount can be a starting point to ensure that refugees become self-sufficient as quickly as possible and would greatly help further their work options such as buying a hire car or work equipment, which can ultimately help refugees support their families and ease their suffering under the ongoing war and human crisis. 

One of the most important features of becoming a citizen is the ability to obtain an ordinary passport which facilitates refugees with their long awaited travel to meet their parents and loved ones in countries where the provided convention travel document is not accepted, an example are countries in the middle east are Lebanon, Egypt and most of the GCC countries, with more restrictions imposed on travel to European countries after the UK withdrawal from the EU. Moreover, using a national passport for travel as opposed to the convention travel document before becoming citizens can expose refugees to the risk of losing their status as highlighted within relevant home office policies:

Revocation of refugee status (Version 4.0 19 January 2016)(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/493918/revocation_of_refugee_status_v4_0_EXT.pdf) Page 22-23, Section 4: Protection need ceases to apply. Paragraph: 4.3 Re-availment: Paragraph 339A(i)–(iv):

“If a refugee applies for and obtains a national passport or its renewal, it will, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be presumed that [he] intends to avail himself of the protection of his country of nationality”.

Refugees Rights as defined by UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency: “A refugee has the right to safe asylum. However, international protection comprises more than physical safety. Refugees should receive at least the same rights and basic help as any other foreigner who is a legal resident, including freedom of thought, of movement, and freedom from torture and degrading treatment. Economic and social rights are equally applicable […]”

In light of the above mentioned factors and in line with the UK commitment to refugees rights and to ensure the emotional wellbeing of refugees and their children, I request the home office to consider exempting refugees and their dependants from the citizenship application fees.

I would like to take this opportunity to urge the UK government to place more focus and efforts in considering the rights of the people of those countries and support them by taking serious steps towards securing their safety, dignity, and development like their peers of other developed countries.

Many thanks for your support.