Since December 2024, the Home Office has been testing a longer 56-day move-on period for people granted refugee status, instead of the usual 28 days. The change was introduced because many newly recognised refugees struggle to move from the separate asylum support system into mainstream housing, benefits and work within just four weeks. This left people who had been officially recognised as refugees and needing international protection at risk of homelessness and unable to meet their basic living needs. The 56-day period was therefore a welcome step to support a safer and more realistic transition.

What you need to know

From 1 September 2025, the 56-day pilot will pause for most single adults. This means that if you are a single adult with a positive decision, you will usually have 28 days of support (instead of 56 days) after receiving your asylum support discontinuation letter (this is the official letter that explains when your asylum support will end and why). 

You should only receive your asylum support discontinuation letter AFTER you have received account details to access your eVisa. 

Some people will still get 56 days:

• Pregnant women
• People aged 65 or older
• People with a disability (this is defined in the Equality Act 2010 and means a physical or mental condition that has a substantial, long-term impact on daily life).

This longer 56-day period will continue until at least the end of December 2025, for families and single adults detailed in the exception criteria above. The Home Office has said they will review the scheme again in December 2025. 

What happens when you get a positive decision:

1. You receive your decision outcome letter explaining what to do next.
   
2. A UKVI account is created so you can access your eVisa, which lets you prove your immigration status, which you need to open a bank account, apply for housing, benefits, work, etc.
   
3. You then receive an Asylum Support Discontinuation Letter which states the date your support will end (28 or 56 days, depending on your situation).
   
4. At the same time, the Home Office tells the accommodation provider (this will be Mears, Serco or ClearSprings depending on where you live). The accommodation provider will give you a Notice to Quit letter which will tell you the date when you must leave your house. This must give at least 7 days notice.
   
5. Migrant Help and accommodation move-on staff are meant to support you during this process and link you to your local authority. 

What to do if you think you should get 56 days?

• Contact Migrant Help straight away.
  
• Explain which category you fall under (pregnancy, age, or disability).
  
• Provide supporting evidence if you can.
  
• Do this before your end-of-support date.
  

At the moment, the Home Office has not published clear guidance on what evidence will always be accepted. In practice, this often means medical letters for pregnancy or disability, or ID documents to prove age.

This is a recent announcement and we will keep you updated as we are aware of more information. 

Read the Toolkit page on What Happens When You Get Refugee Status and E-Visas
Read Shelter’s guidance on speaking to the Local Authority about housing and guidance on private housing