At PBIC, we have been supporting migrants in Bedford and the surrounding region since 2007. Our aim is simple: to help migrants settle, achieve and contribute. We believe that all people should be able to feel integrated into the community in which they live, understand their rights, and be able to access the support required to build a settled life in the UK. Our services are free of charge and are provided by a team of volunteer advisors and teachers who speak many languages and are dedicated to making individuals feel heard and understood.

One of these areas we receive many enquiries about is immigration guidance. While we are pleased to help in most cases, especially under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), but we must be clear about what we can and cannot do. There are some legal matters which fall outside the range of help we are legally allowed to provide, and we want to be honest and open about this.

PBIC is registered to provide Level 1 immigration advice. This means we can help with straightforward immigration problems, mainly relating to the EU Settlement Scheme. For example, if you’re applying for settled or pre-settled status, or you need to change from pre-settled to settled status, we can help.

We cannot advise on more complex immigration problems or those outside the EU Settlement Scheme. Our EUSS trained advisers are available from Monday to Friday and can help you with simple applications and easy questions about your status. If your circumstances are straightforward and within our accreditation remit, we will do our best to assist.

There are some immigration issues that we are not allowed to handle. These include, for example, applications for British citizenship, more complex immigration matters outside of the EUSS, and any fee-paying immigration application. We are also not in a position to help with appeals or tribunals. If your application has been refused or you wish to appeal a decision, you will need to speak to an advisor or solicitor who is qualified to provide Level 2 or Level 3 immigration advice. This also covers applications that feature lengthy periods of absence from the UK, criminality, or difficulties in proving your residence.

We understand that this will be disappointing to hear, especially if you have contacted us in the hope that we would be able to help with one of these. Rest assured that we are still here for you. Even if we cannot provide immigration advice on a particular issue, we will always listen to you, establish what type of support you need, and refer you to a trustworthy organisation or legal advisor who will be in a position to follow up your case. We also have contacts with other agencies and professionals who are qualified to help with more complex problems, and we will make sure that you are pointed in the right direction.

Another way we help our clients is by helping them in their own language. We know how difficult it is to read government or legal documents if you are not a native English speaker, and we are happy to translate or explain what something states.

However, we must be very clear in these situations. If we are helping you understand a document or complete a form that is outside our scope of immigration advice, we are not providing legal advice. Where this is the case, we will ask you to sign a disclaimer to confirm that you understand this. The purpose of the disclaimer is to assist in protecting you and ensure you are receiving suitable legal advice from someone who is competent to give it. We are only helping you with the language, and not with the content or outcome of the application.

To clarify this slightly, the following are a few examples.

• If you come to us for help applying for settled status or switching from pre-settled status, we can support you.

• If you have missed the EUSS deadline and need advice, we may be able to help if the case is simple.

• If you are applying for British citizenship, or your case involves an appeal or tribunal, we cannot assist. However, we will make sure you know where to go for the right support.

Our office at Bromham Road, Bedford, is open Monday to Friday, and our advisers are happy to speak to you in person, on the phone or by email. If you are unsure whether we can help, don’t be afraid to give us a call. We would rather you ask us than try to handle it yourself. If we can’t directly address your problem, we will point you in the right direction.

At PBIC, we are proud of what we do and whom we serve. We believe that no one should be anything other than safe, respected and included, irrespective of where they are from or where they are in the process. Although we cannot help with all legal issues, we are always here to listen, guide and refer you to the right help.

If you need help with the EU Settlement Scheme or have any questions about your immigration status, get in touch. We’re here to help and we’ll always do everything we can to make sure you’re supported