UK government support for Chagossians

‘Chagossians’ are people who were born on BIOT (the Chagos Islands) and their descendants. Between 1968 and 1973 the UK government removed people from BIOT and relocated them to Mauritius and Seychelles. Following the passing of the British Overseas Territories Act (2002), many people who were born on BIOT and their children became British citizens and moved to the UK.

Visits to BIOT

The UK government has previously arranged visits to BIOT for people of Chagossian descent. These visits were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will restart when conditions allow.

Working on Diego Garcia

There are a range of job opportunities on Diego Garcia open to British, Mauritian and Seychellois citizens. People in these jobs live on the island and support the US Navy base operating there by managing facilities, maintaining vehicles, and providing administrative support.

KBR Inc is the main contractor responsible for recruiting and managing support staff at the base. You can review and apply for job vacancies on KBR’s website, which is updated regularly.

In 2022, the UK Parliament passed the Nationality and Borders Act. This Act allows anyone of Chagossian descent to become a British citizen or a British Overseas Territories citizen, if they are not one already. The specific provision in the Act relating to Chagossians came into force on 23 November 2022.

Use theOther linksprovisions, onwhich thisa pagelimited tonumber applyof forChagossians citizenship.may Thebenefit Homefrom, Officecame isinto workingforce withon ‘We28 AreJune Digital’ to help you with your application if you require assistance. If you have any queries relating to the citizenship process that the guidance does not cover, you can also email ChagossianEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.2022.