About this article: We researched this guide using GOV.UK’s guidance on the ARC card, House of Commons Library briefings, and Migrant Help.
What is an ARC card?
An ARC card (Application Registration Card) is a credit-card-sized document issued by the UK Home Office to anyone who’s submitted a claim for asylum. It’s issued to confirm your case is actively being considered, though it’s not proof of identity, a travel document, or a residence permit, but will help you access key services while you wait for a decision.
This guide explains what your ARC card covers, how to get one, and what happens if your case is delayed, refused, or appealed.
At a Glance:
- What is an ARC card: a card confirming you’ve made an asylum claim under active consideration.
- Who issues it: the UK Home Office, issues one straight after your asylum screening.
- When you get it: shortly after screening, once you’ve given a current address.
- How long it lasts: up to two years from the date of issue.
What information does an ARC card contain?
Your ARC card carries the personal details the Home Office recorded at screening, along with your current working rights status. It doesn’t show your address, so it isn’t proof of where you live.
- Your name as it was recorded at screening.
- A passport-sized photo to confirm it’s your card.
- Your nationality (or the nationality you claimed). If you’re undocumented, this will be self-declared.
- Date of birth, and whether there’s a dispute over the age you’ve given. This will be flagged if queried.
- Your Home Office reference number for future correspondence.
- Your working rights status, which is either ’employment prohibited’, or ‘work permitted’ under the 12-month rule (see below).
- No home address. You will keep a separate letter or bill as proof of address.
ARC card vs. eVisa: what is the difference?
Some people confuse the ARC card with an eVisa, which has now replaced the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Your ARC card is used, and applies, while your claim is decided, and it’s replaced by an eVisa only once you get a positive decision. The two cannot be held at the same time.
| ARC card | eVisa | |
| Who it’s for | People with a pending asylum claim | People with a decided, granted immigration status |
| When it’s issued | After your asylum screening | After a decision grants you status |
| What it proves | That your claim is actively being considered | Your confirmed immigration status |
| How long it lasts | Up to two years, while your claim continues | Set by the terms of your granted status |
How to get an ARC card: step-by-step
Your ARC card is usually issued automatically after your asylum screening interview. In most cases, you don’t need to apply for it separately.
Step 1: Claim asylum
You can claim asylum as soon as you arrive in the UK, at the border, or afterwards by calling the Asylum Intake Unit on 0300 123 4193. You can’t register a claim at a police station or with your GP, so the Asylum Intake Unit is the best route for both.
Persecution must be linked to your race, religion, political beliefs, or another risk factor.
Note: the family reunion visa for refugees has been suspended since September 2025, with no confirmed reopening date. Check the current position with Migrant Help if your family isn’t yet in the UK.
Step 2: Attend an asylum screening
If you claim on entry, an enforcement team will likely direct you to screening. If you claim after arriving, screening normally takes place in Croydon, South London — or at Drumkeen House if you’re in Northern Ireland.
The ARC card is issued after the screening, not the asylum interview. Screening is a short eligibility check, not the full interview about your claim, which only happens once your case has been allocated.
Step 3: Provide your current address
After screening, provide your current address so your card can be delivered. Update it promptly if you move; if you’re in Home Office accommodation, it’s usually sent there.
Step 4: Receive your card by post
- Carry your card with you whenever you leave the house, as proof of your current asylum status.
- It’s valid for up to two years from the date of issue.
- If it hasn’t arrived within two weeks of screening, contact the Home Office via its online enquiry form.
- If any information is wrong, or it’s lost or stolen, contact the Home Office immediately.
What can you do with an ARC card? Benefits and limitations
| Service | Allowed? | Notes |
| NHS care | Yes | A legal right, with or without an ARC card. |
| Right to work | Not usually | Only after 12 months awaiting a decision, through no fault of your own. |
| Basic bank account | Often | Many banks accept an ARC card as ID, under the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015. |
| Education | Possible | Some schools and colleges accept it as enrolment evidence. |
| Public funds (benefits) | No | Not available during your claim. Asylum support might apply instead though. |
NHS and healthcare
UK law allows asylum seekers to access the NHS even without an ARC card, though many GPs may still ask to see it.
Asylum support and the right to work
Asylum support covers essential living costs while work isn’t permitted. After 12 months without a decision, through no fault of your own, you can apply to work. Your card will then show ‘Work Permitted’, which covers any higher-skilled role since March 2026.
Banking
Many banks accept an ARC card as ID for a basic account under the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015, though requirements vary. It’s also worth knowing what to do if you spot a scam affecting your money.
Education
Your ARC doesn’t automatically grant the right to study, but institutions may ask to see it.
Public funds
Many people are offered asylum support instead (Section 95 support) of accessing public funds. Asylum support is currently £49.18 a week per person in self-catered accommodation, plus somewhere to live, according to House of Commons Library figures.
What happens to your ARC card if your claim is refused or delayed?
At the end of March 2026, 48,758 people were awaiting an initial asylum decision, according to Home Office statistics, so delays do happen. If your ARC shows ‘work restricted’, you’re not permitted to work while your claim is decided, but this can change once the 12-month right-to-work rule applies.
Refused claim
Your ARC card usually stays valid until its printed expiry date, but a refusal ends your right to remain on that basis. You may be able to appeal, and we’d suggest getting early advice from a Law Centre to help.
Claim under appeal
Your ARC card can still show you’re going through the asylum process during an appeal. Support might change at this stage, so check your entitlements with Migrant Help.
Expired card with no decision
Contact the Home Office about renewal, and consider Migrant Help or the Refugee Council. Legal advice at this stage can help you understand where your case stands.
Where to get help: support organisations across the UK
Support is available across the UK, so you don’t have to worry about getting to London. A family member weighing up a different route might also want to compare the youth mobility visa scheme.
- Migrant Help: Home Office-funded support on accommodation, asylum support, and ARC card issues.
- Refugee Council: welfare rights advice, housing support, and healthcare access, including for young people.
- Right to Remain: a free step-by-step guide to the asylum process, plus legal education.
- Scottish Refugee Council: advice, casework, and a free helpline in Scotland.
- Welsh Refugee Council: a One Stop Service offering advice and casework across Wales.
- Law Centres Network: free legal advice from local law centres, including on immigration and asylum.
Frequently asked questions about the ARC card
What is an ARC card?
An ARC card (Application Registration Card) is a credit-card-sized document the Home Office issues to anyone who has made an asylum claim in the UK. It shows your claim is being considered and includes your name, photo, and working rights status. It isn’t proof of identity, a travel document, or a residence permit.
How long does it take to get an ARC card after screening?
Most people receive their ARC card within two weeks of their asylum screening, once they’ve given the Home Office a current address. If it hasn’t arrived after two weeks, contact the Home Office using its online enquiry form to check on progress.
What does ‘Work Permitted’ mean on an ARC card?
‘Work Permitted’ means the Home Office has approved your application to work while you wait for a decision. This usually becomes possible once your claim has been outstanding for 12 months through no fault of your own. Otherwise, your card shows ’employment prohibited’, and working isn’t allowed.
Can I use my ARC card to open a bank account?
Yes. Many UK banks accept an ARC card as identification for a basic bank account under the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015, which give people with limited documentation a right to basic banking. Requirements vary between banks, so check with the bank before you apply.
What should I do if my ARC card is lost, stolen, or damaged?
Contact the Home Office as soon as possible to report it and request a replacement. Migrant Help can also support you with this process. Keep any other Home Office letters safe in the meantime, in case you need to prove your status.
What happens to my ARC card if my claim is refused?
Your ARC card usually stays valid until its printed expiry date, even after a refusal, but the refusal ends your right to remain on the basis of that claim. If you’re considering an appeal, it’s worth seeking legal advice as soon as possible.
What if my ARC card expires before I get a decision?
If your card expires while you’re still waiting for a decision, contact the Home Office to ask about renewal. Migrant Help or the Refugee Council can also help you resolve the issue and point you towards legal advice if needed.
Key Takeaways
- An ARC card confirms an asylum claim is being considered, though it’s not proof of identity, a travel document, or a residence permit.
- It doesn’t grant the right to work, public funds, or travel outside the UK.
- After 12 months without a decision, through no fault of your own, you can apply to work, shown as ‘Work Permitted’.
- If a card is lost, stolen, damaged, or expires before a decision, contact the Home Office and Migrant Help.
- Support is available UK-wide: Migrant Help, the Refugee Council, Right to Remain, the Scottish and Welsh Refugee Councils, and Law Centres.
Carrying your ARC card and knowing where to turn next
Receiving your ARC card is one of the first steps in the asylum process, so keep it somewhere safe once it arrives.
If your circumstances change, Migrant Help or a Law Centre can help you understand your options, including how your card compares with the residence permits and other status documents you may see later.
If you’re supporting family while your claim is decided, Remitly can help you send money to relatives abroad. You might also enjoy reading about UK culture and national symbols as you settle in.
Last reviewed: September 2026
