There's no catch. We don't charge for anything and we don't collect donations. The project runs on the time of people who have already been through this. If someone asks for money in the name of Qadam London, they're a scammer — write to us.

No. We're a community: we help all our people from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. It's just that we're one of those communities where LGBTQ+ people and women's rights are supported openly, not tolerated in silence: we stand for justice, equality and freedom. Nobody asks you about either.

No, and this matters. Under UK law, only people registered with the IAA or SRA or BSB lawyers can advise on a specific immigration case. We explain how the system works as a whole and help you find a free legal aid lawyer. Anything about your own case goes to them.

This is the most common way of keeping someone at home, and it works precisely because nobody knows the rules. The truth is that there are separate routes for survivors of domestic abuse. MVDAC — the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession: 3 months of status, the right to work and access to public funds; free, form LOTR (DVV), target processing time 5 working days. Partners of British citizens, people with ILR, refugees and holders of settled status can then go on to permanent status: ILR under Appendix VDA.

But it's not for everyone: the partner of someone on a work or student visa is entitled to MVDAC but not to ILR; those who are here on their own visa rather than as a partner get neither; the fiancé(e) visa is explicitly excluded. Find your row in the status guide. We don't assess your case — only an IAA specialist or an SRA or BSB lawyer can do that.

Yes. Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, domestic abuse isn't only physical: controlling and coercive behaviour, threats, psychological and economic abuse are all part of the definition. Taking your passport, withholding money, forbidding you to work or study, monitoring your phone, threatening to tell your family — all of that counts. And one more thing: under the same law, a child who sees or hears what's happening is recognised as a victim in their own right, not a witness. Start with the "I'm afraid at home" page — nothing is saved there.

Call the national helpline on 0808 2000 247 — 24 hours a day, answered by women, interpreters available. What exists: Children Act 1989, s.17 — if there's a child, the council must support a "child in need", and that support can include housing and living costs for the whole family (through children's services). Support for Migrant Victims scheme — safe accommodation for up to 12 weeks and IDVA support, but the referral is made by an organisation or a public body, not by the woman herself: ask for a referral on the same helpline or at Southall Black Sisters 020 8571 0800.

Honestly about the difficulty: a place in a refuge is paid for through Housing Benefit, which is public funds, so a woman with NRPF is often refused a place. This is acknowledged in official guidance. More: about money and NRPF.

That's the most common fear, and it's understandable. We don't report anything to anyone. In the private group other members can see your profile — that's how Telegram works, which is why many people join from a separate account with no phone number or photo. If you prefer, write straight to the bot @QadamLondonBot — there it's one to one, and none of the members can see you.

The site is in two languages — English and Russian; switch with the globe button in the header, and your choice is remembered. Need Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik or Turkmen? Open the page in Chrome and tap “Translate” (right-click the page or the icon in the address bar): it translates the whole page for free. We will send your step-by-step plan in the language you choose in the request, and almost everywhere — at the GP, in the NHS, on helplines — you can ask for a free interpreter. That is your right, not a favour. And sign up for free ESOL classes in the meantime.

No. Many refusals are successfully overturned. But the deadline is strict — 14 days to appeal from the date of the decision, and it runs whether or not you've found a lawyer. Don't put it off: read the section on refusal and look for a representative the same day.

No. Leaving the UK before the decision means your claim is treated as withdrawn — any trip out, even for a day, even for a funeral. The Home Office won't bring you back to continue the case. If something serious has happened, talk to your lawyer first, then make any decisions.