How to email AHRO — contacting the Home Office

Updated: 15 May 2026

In short

AHRO Central Communications Hub is the main way to contact the Home Office about your asylum claim. One email: ahrocentralcommunicationshub@contactus.homeoffice.gov.uk. Free. No solicitor needed. Below are step-by-step templates for the most common situations.

When to use AHRO email

1 Change of address (private accommodation only)

2 Change of contact details (email, phone)

3 Change of personal details (name, date of birth, nationality)

4 Withdrawing an asylum claim

5 Submitting additional documents / evidence

6 Corrections to a screening or asylum interview transcript

7 Requesting copies of Home Office documents

8 Queries about dependants

9 Requesting prioritisation of your asylum claim

10 Requesting a progress update on your claim

11 ARC queries (via gov.uk form, not this email — see below)

12 Unable to attend an asylum interview

13 Submitting a Letter of Authority (by a representative)

Ready-made email templates

Change of address

Only if you are in private accommodation (not Home Office accommodation)

Dear AHRO Central Communications Hub,

Please see the below query in relation to my asylum claim:

- Name: [YOUR FULL NAME]
- Home Office / port reference / UAN: [YOUR REFERENCE]
- Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
- Nationality: [YOUR NATIONALITY]
- Current address: [YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS]
- Email: [YOUR EMAIL]

I would like to inform you that I have moved address.
My new address is: [INSERT NEW ADDRESS]

Please see attached evidence confirming the new address.

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]

Change of personal details (name, date of birth, nationality)

For a name change — attach the deed poll to this email first, then order a new ARC

Dear AHRO Central Communications Hub,

Please see the below query in relation to my asylum claim:

- Name: [YOUR FULL NAME]
- Home Office / port reference / UAN: [YOUR REFERENCE]
- Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
- Nationality: [YOUR NATIONALITY]
- Current address: [YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS]
- Email: [YOUR EMAIL]

I would like to inform you of a change of details.

[DESCRIBE THE CHANGE, e.g.: "My name has changed from [OLD NAME] to [NEW NAME] following a deed poll dated [DATE]. Please find the deed poll attached."]

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]

Submitting documents / evidence

Add "GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING" to the subject if material contains disturbing images

Dear AHRO Central Communications Hub,

Please see the below query in relation to my asylum claim:

- Name: [YOUR FULL NAME]
- Home Office / port reference / UAN: [YOUR REFERENCE]
- Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
- Nationality: [YOUR NATIONALITY]
- Current address: [YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS]
- Email: [YOUR EMAIL]

Please find attached evidence to be considered in my asylum claim.

[DESCRIBE WHAT YOU ARE SUBMITTING]

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]

Request a progress update

Dear AHRO Central Communications Hub,

Please see the below query in relation to my asylum claim:

- Name: [YOUR FULL NAME]
- Home Office / port reference / UAN: [YOUR REFERENCE]
- Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
- Nationality: [YOUR NATIONALITY]
- Current address: [YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS]
- Email: [YOUR EMAIL]

Please provide a written update on the progress of my asylum claim.

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]

ARC queries — use the gov.uk form, not this email

All ARC queries must go through the official form on gov.uk, not the AHRO email. See our ARC card page for the four cases and step-by-step instructions.

Key practical rules

📍

AHRO first — then ARC

If you need to update your address, name or other details — notify AHRO first. Only after the change is confirmed should you order a new ARC through the gov.uk form. Not the other way round — otherwise the card will go to the wrong address.

📝

Name change — three steps

1. Obtain a deed poll. 2. Email the deed poll to AHRO using the "Change of personal details" template. 3. Once the change is confirmed, order a new ARC via the gov.uk form.

💼

Work Permitted vs No Work on ARC

If your card shows "No Work" but your Bail grants Work Permitted, correct this via the ARC enquiry form. Reason for replacement: "incorrect work condition". Attach the Bail document.

What is NOT handled via AHRO email

Complaints — use the online form at gov.uk/complain-uk-visas-immigration

Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) — use the gov.uk PAP template letter, send to ukvipap@homeoffice.gov.uk

Judicial Review (JR) — use claim form N461 in the Administrative Court

Home Office accommodation queries — contact Migrant Help (0808 8010 503)

ARC queries — via the ARC enquiry form on gov.uk, not email

Frequently asked questions

How long does AHRO take to reply?

There is no fixed timeline. In practice, expect 2 to 8 weeks depending on workload. For time-sensitive queries (e.g. a data error before an interview), add URGENT to the subject line.

Can I call instead of emailing?

AHRO does not have a single phone line. Email to ahrocentralcommunicationshub@contactus.homeoffice.gov.uk is the primary channel. For urgent accommodation queries, call Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503.

What if I get no reply?

Wait 8 weeks, then send a follow-up email with the same subject line, adding "Reminder" at the start. If you have a court deadline, seek legal advice.

Do I need a solicitor to email AHRO?

No. Anyone can write using the templates in this guide. A solicitor is only needed for legally complex matters such as appeals, JR or PAP.

Does the email have to be in English?

Yes. All emails to AHRO must be in English. Use the ready-made templates in this guide.

I live in Home Office accommodation and I am moving — do I need to email?

Only if you are moving into private accommodation (not provided by the Home Office). In that case, complete the MCC form on gov.uk instead of emailing AHRO. If the Home Office is moving you to another of their properties, you do not need to do anything.

Can I send documents as evidence?

Yes. Use the "Submitting documents" template. If the material contains graphic content (violence, injuries), add "GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING" in the subject line.

Sources: gov.uk · How to email the AHRO Central Communications Hub gov.uk · ARC enquiry form gov.uk · Complain about UK Visas and Immigration Migrant Help UK Updated 24 Apr 2026

💳 ARC card — replacement and correction →