Section 58 — Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002: Voluntary departure from United Kingdom

Voluntary departure from United Kingdom 58 1 A person is a “ voluntary leaver ” for the purposes of this section if—

a he is not a British citizen ..., b he leaves the United Kingdom for a place where he hopes to take up permanent residence (his “ new place of residence ”),

and c the Secretary of State thinks that it is in the person’s interest to leave the United Kingdom and that the person wishes to leave.

2 The Secretary of State may make arrangements to—

a assist voluntary leavers;

b assist individuals to decide whether to become voluntary leavers.

3 The Secretary of State may, in particular, make payments (whether to voluntary leavers or to organisations providing services for them) which relate to—

a travelling and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of a voluntary leaver, or a member of his family or household, in leaving the United Kingdom;

b expenses incurred by or on behalf of a voluntary leaver, or a member of his family or household, on or shortly after arrival in his new place of residence;

c the provision of services designed to assist a voluntary leaver, or a member of his family or household, to settle in his new place of residence;

d expenses in connection with a journey undertaken by a person (with or without his family or household) to prepare for, or to assess the possibility of, his becoming a voluntary leaver. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5 The following provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77) shall cease to have effect—

a section 29 (contributions to expenses of persons returning abroad),

and b section 31(d) (expenses).