The No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition increases the likelihood that you will need legal support while also limiting the money you may have to spend on legal expenses. Many migrants report a culture of fear toward the state and its laws. This can discourage individuals from seeking support around their rights. This is disappointing and something we are working to reverse.
Everyone who meets the financial requirements can access legal advice and representation regardless of their immigration status through Legal Aid. This can include help with immigration applications, asylum claims, housing issues, debt, and children’s law.
To learn more about what immigration advice is, who can provide it, and Legal Aid, see our NRPF and Legal Support page.
See below for a variety of resources that may help you with your journey to legal support.
Aberdeen Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) provides free, confidential, impartial and independent information on immigration matters.
They can potentially support in matters related to E-visas, EUSS and pathways to ILR and citizenship
You can reach them in the following ways:
The Ethnic Minority Law Centre (EMLC) provides advice and representation on immigration and asylum matters. They are involved from initial applications through appeals and reconsiderations at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and the Court of Session.
You can reach them in the following ways:
The Law Society of Scotland’s “Find a Solicitor” tool helps you locate a qualified solicitor in Scotland. You can search by location, area of law (such as immigration or family law), or by the name of a firm or individual solicitor.
All solicitors listed are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, meaning they must meet professional standards and carry appropriate insurance. If you are seeking immigration advice, using a regulated solicitor ensures you are protected by legal professional rules and confidentiality.
Advicelocal helps you find free, independent advice organisations across the UK based on your postcode. The service is designed to connect you with local support for a wide range of issues, including asylum and immigration.
The tool will then provide links to tailored information and advice organisations in your area that can help with your specific situation.
The Adviser Finder allows you to search for a regulated immigration adviser or organisation based on your location. It is illegal for an unregulated adviser to provide immigration advice or services, so this tool helps you find a trusted professional who is registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
You can search by location and type of advice.
JustRight Scotland is a team of expert lawyers who use the law to defend and extend people’s rights in Scotland. They provide legal services and produce relevant materials through a series of fact sheets and blog posts.
Individuals can refer for legal support if their needs fall under one of their four “legal areas,” including the Scottish Refugee & Migrant Centre.
You can reach them in the following ways
We’ve developed two glossaries that detail key terms used in UK immigration, asylum, and support systems.
The Beginner Glossary covers foundational terms in plain language. The Advanced Glossary includes more complex legal and procedural concepts. Both were updated in April 2026. No referral or registration is required.
Both documents can also be found on our “I don’t know where to start” page.
This free course has been designed by The Open University and HJT Training professionals, who specialise in immigration law. It is divided into 5 study sessions, each covering a specific topic relevant to immigration law and advice. It provides links to the relevant sources of law on that topic.
This course introduces UK immigration law and advice and is intended for anyone with an interest in this area. All teaching materials are delivered online and include opportunities for you to self-assess your own progress, for example, through self-test activities.
This is the official online tool for finding solicitors in Scotland who are registered to provide legal aid. You can apply for legal aid only through a solicitor; the Board does not provide legal advice.
You can search using an interactive finder by specifying the type of legal assistance you need and your location, or by solicitor name. Solicitors decide whether to take a case, even if they are registered for legal aid.
You can reach them in the following ways:
The Scottish Refugee Council actively updates a list of legal representatives who take on immigration cases in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
They do not have a dedicated list for the North East.
This resource is hosted by the Scottish Refugee Council. You can reach them in the following ways:
The Unity Project provides advice and application support to people with valid leave to remain who wish to apply for a change of conditions to access public funds (to remove the NRPF condition). They can support those on the 5- or 10-year settlement route as a parent, partner, private life applicant, or BNO visa holder.
To access support, individuals complete the online self-referral form, or those supporting them can use the professional referral form.
You can contact them in the following ways:
If you are looking to apply for a Change of Condition (CoC) yourself, The Unity Project provides several resources that inform you about what to expect and guide you in preparing an effective application. You do not need a lawyer, and there is no application fee. We suggest you contact an immigration solicitor or The Unity Project to discuss options for support.
You can contact them in the following ways: