"The leave granted will be temporary (for 12 months) and granted on an exceptional basis to allow those directly affected by the fire… time to deal with the immediate aftermath of these terrible events, and to consider their future options," the policy guidance released by the Home Office said.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has stated in June, that the UK law enforcement agencies "will not use this tragic incident as a reason to carry out immigration checks on those involved or on those providing vital information to identify victims or those assisting the criminal investigation."
"Everyone affected by this tragedy needs reassurance that the Government is there for them at this terrible time and we will continue to provide the support they need to help them through the difficult days, weeks and months to come," Brandon Lewis, the Minister of State for Immigration, said on Wednesday in a written statement to the Parliament introducing the policy of the Home Office.
The announcement was criticized by the Labour Party, some members of which demanded from the government to grant full "amnesty" for those affected by the fire.