APPLICATION FOR STATELESS PERSONS
The international legal definition of a stateless person is “a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law”. In simple terms, this means that a stateless person does not have a nationality of any country. Some people are born stateless, but others become stateless.
The 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless People defines the term “stateless person” as meaning “a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law”. This obviously covers a very broad range of circumstances, including for example (i) the absence of a legal entitlement to nationality of any State, and (ii) the refusal of a State to acknowledge an individual’s legal entitlement to nationality, whether for reasons such as the absence of evidence, or as a consequence of official or semi-official policy or practice of the authorities of a State.
Statelessness can occur for several reasons, including discrimination against particular ethnic or religious groups, or on the basis of gender; the emergence of new States and transfers of territory between existing States; and gaps in nationality laws. Whatever the cause, statelessness has serious consequences for people in almost every country and in all regions of the world. Statelessness can also be caused by loss or deprivation of nationality.
You can apply to stay in the UK as a stateless person. The requirement is that you are in the UK, and unable to return to another country as a result of being stateless.
If you have been accepted as a stateless person, you will normally be granted a residence permit in the UK for 2 years and 6 months. You can apply for further leave when your leave expires.
At Arden Solicitors Advocates we can advise on the application, and draft detailed representation to the Home Office.