Form B1 UK: Immigration Bail Application Guide

What this document is

Form B1 is the application form used to ask the First-tier Tribunal to release a person from immigration detention on bail. It is the tribunal bail route, rather than the separate Home Office bail process, and it is typically used by people held under immigration powers, including those detained after an asylum claim, during removal arrangements, or while an appeal is ongoing.

The application sets out who the detained person is, where they are being held, why they say continued detention is not justified, and what conditions they are willing to accept if released. It also captures details of anyone acting as a financial condition supporter, sometimes still referred to informally as a surety.

The tribunal then lists the matter for a bail hearing, usually within a few working days, where an immigration judge decides whether to grant bail and, if so, on what terms. Form B1 does not end detention on its own.

It is the start of a judicial process, and the quality of the information you provide has a real effect on the outcome.

How to use this document

1. Gather the core identifiers before you start. You will need the Home Office reference number, any NOMS or HMPPS number if the person has been in prison custody, date of birth, and the full address of the immigration removal centre or other place of detention. Missing or inconsistent reference numbers are a common reason applications get delayed at the listing stage. 2. Set out the grounds for bail clearly and honestly. The section asking why bail should be granted is the heart of the form. Explain what has changed since any previous application, the proposed release address, any health issues, length of detention so far, and why continued detention is no longer reasonable. Vague grounds rarely succeed, so be specific about the facts. 3. Confirm your financial condition and any supporters. Decide whether you are offering a financial condition yourself and whether anyone else is willing to support one. For each supporter you will need full name, address, occupation, and the amount they pledge. Supporters should be prepared to attend the hearing and answer questions from the judge. 4. Plan the hearing arrangements. Indicate whether an interpreter is needed and in which language and dialect, whether the hearing will be by video link from the detention centre, and whether any disability or health adjustment is required. Getting these details right avoids adjournments, which can push the hearing back by days. 5. Submit the form and prepare for the hearing. File Form B1 with the tribunal along with any supporting documents, such as proof of the release address, letters from supporters, and medical evidence if relevant. The Home Office will usually serve a bail summary setting out their position, and you or your representative should be ready to respond to it at the hearing.

Common questions