Fleeing Danger? Discover the process of claiming asylum in the UK, a pathway designed to protect individuals escaping persecution or life-threatening situations in their home country. To claim asylum in the UK, you must meet specific eligibility requirements. This includes attending at least one interview with an immigration official from the Home Office, who will carefully assess your case.
Call us at 02033939272 for immediate assistance and support in resolving your situation. We are available to assist in person, over the phone, or online.
The United Nations Refugee Convention of 1951 established the legal right to asylum for individuals who are unable to return to their native country due to fear of persecution. The process of claiming asylum can be protracted, involving an initial application at a border port or airport, followed by a screening encounter with an immigration officer. The Home Office subsequently determines whether the asylum claim can be submitted. If the claim asylum in UK is approved, a substantive asylum interview with a caseworker is necessary.
Applicants may be prohibited from working during the claim’s processing, and we anticipate a decision within six months. If they are unsuccessful, they may have the option to appeal. The Rees Clayton immigration solicitors provide legal advice to individuals who are claiming asylum or applying for a refugee visa in the UK. It is advisable to retain the services of a specialist immigration counsel.
The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 established two categories of exiles in the United Kingdom: Group 1 and Group 2. The purpose of this legislation was to discourage illicit migration. The Illegal Migration Bill was implemented by the government, which rendered asylum claims inadmissible for individuals who arrived illegally through secure countries. Consequently, the differentiation policy will be suspended in July 2023, and all successful asylum applicants will be granted the same conditions, irrespective of their group.
For certain nationalities with high asylum grant rates, such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Sudan, a simplified asylum processing model was implemented. Positive decisions can be rendered for well-founded cases in these nationalities without the necessity of an additional interview, and no asylum application will be denied without the opportunity for an interview. Sudanese legacy claimants are being processed in accordance with established policies, with a commitment to resolve the accumulation of legacy asylum claims by the end of 2023.
Paragraph 333C has been updated to enhance transparency in the process of withdrawing asylum claims. This amendment clarifies the circumstances for withdrawing asylum claims and strengthens the process for promptly withdrawing applications from non-compliant individuals. Their asylum claim may be withdrawn if they fail to comply, which will allocate decision-making resources to legitimate asylum claimants in the UK.
UK Refugee eligibility and requirements include:
An asylum seeker UK application is submitted promptly upon arrival at an airport or border port, a process referred to as “screening.” Your application for asylum in the UK will probably be denied if you delay your submission.
Upon entering the country, it is mandatory to inform a Border Force officer that you are requesting asylum and wish to apply for refugee status. Your application will be registered by a Border Force official, who will conduct a screening interview, during which you will be required to provide a detailed account of your circumstances and the reasons for your asylum request. If needed, you may request a translator from the Border Force.
During your screening interview, a Border Force agent will obtain your biometrics and photograph. Additionally, you will be required to provide information regarding your identity, place of origin, and the reason for your application for asylum in the UK. You may submit written evidence to substantiate your claim, in addition to any other documents that may be helpful in the approval process.
You are also required to disclose that you have dependents and inform the officer if you or any member of your family is taking medication or requires medical attention.
An asylum seeker UK will be assigned a caseworker who will serve as their primary point of contact during the process, following the completion of a screening interview and the submission of a claim. Subsequently, the applicant is typically required to participate in a Substantive Interview, which involves the assessment of their case and the determination of a decision. During the asylum process, additional interviews or evidence may be requested.
If you are submitting an asylum claim, you are required to submit a number of documents. Different documents are required for each stage of the procedure.
It is recommended that you submit the following documents for the initial screening interview:
The documents necessary for the substantive asylum interview may take on a variety of forms.
By providing documentary evidence of your persecution in your country of origin, you can strengthen your asylum claim. Although this may be exceedingly challenging to acquire, it is advisable to provide your interviewer with an abundance of evidence.
The subsequent actions would be advantageous:
This evidence must be authentic and not tampered with in any way. Your immigration counsel will provide you with guidance on the categories of evidence that should be submitted and will assist you in the submission procedure.
Our seasoned asylum solicitors can provide guidance on the types of documents that should be submitted to the Home Office as part of your application claim. This can be a critical component of the process, and we can guarantee that all the information submitted is pertinent and precise. More information can be obtained by contacting us at 02033939272.
Your asylum claim must be registered by attending an asylum screening at the UK border or upon becoming eligible for asylum. Photographs, fingerprints, and an interview will be taken at this appointment to verify your identity and place of origin. You will be asked to provide written evidence to substantiate your claim for asylum. Your spouse and any offspring under the age of 18 are considered dependents. While it is possible to request a male or female interviewer, its availability may not always be guaranteed.
To schedule your screening appointment, contact the asylum registration appointment line if you are currently in the UK. They will enquire about your family and yourself, as well as whether you require assistance with housing. During this call, you will not be asked about the reasons behind your asylum claim.
Contact the asylum registration appointment line if you need a translator, are a minor requiring supervision, or need a dependent to accompany you to your screening.
A registration assessment interview will be provided to you at the nearest asylum registration location if you are eligible for asylum. It is recommended to schedule your appointment in advance, as the asylum registration center may not be prepared for your arrival without prior notice.
Even if you don’t have a place to live, make sure to call the protection application appointment line. You can bring a lawyer and a translator if you need one, and you must get any family members seeking refuge with you. Financial assistance is not available for travel to or from the asylum registration location.
The Home Office will review your case after a screening to determine its eligibility for consideration in the UK. Unless you have been detained, you will receive an asylum registration card (ARC) at your UK address. If you are unable to obtain an ARC promptly, they will send you either an asylum questionnaire or an appointment letter. If you are unable to complete the questionnaire, please contact the asylum team at the Home Office.
A caseworker will be assigned to your case if it is eligible for consideration in the United Kingdom. If the UK is unable to consider your case, you may be relocated to a secure country that will evaluate your asylum application. A secure country is one in which you are not a citizen, would not cause you harm, and would not deport you to another country where you would be hurt. After your asylum interview or screening, the Home Office may elect to relocate you to a secure country.
Caseworkers may conduct an asylum interview with you, during which they will make decisions regarding your application and provide an explanation of the asylum process. Regular meetings, known as “reporting events,” are mandatory; failure to attend may result in their withdrawal. Inform them of any unique requirements you may have.
Your ARC is evidence that you have submitted an asylum application and can be utilised to verify your identity, eligibility for health and education services, and employment authorisation. If your ARC is not in your possession, please utilise the online form to contact the Home Office.
While expecting a decision regarding your application, you may be held at an immigration removal facility. If you are granted permission to remain in the United Kingdom, you will be released; otherwise, you will be detained until you are removed. You may also be detained and removed if another country is responsible for providing you with asylum.
You will typically not be held if you fall into one of the following categories: you are a child, an old person, a family with children, pregnant, a confirmed victim of trafficking, someone who can offer proof of torture on their own, or if your mental or physical state is intolerable or might harm others.
To get protection status in the UK, you must have an asylum interview. They usually happen after screening and can be given without an interview if enough proof is offered. The application will be withdrawn if an interview is not attended, and the applicant will be required to reapply. An interviewer will be informed of the date and location via a letter. The attendance of a partner or children under the age of 18 may also be required if they are mentioned as dependents in the application.
Interviews will be conducted independently, without the presence of family members, and interpreters will be available upon request. The information provided will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to the authorities in the applicant’s country of origin. Subjects like persecution and the terror of going back to one’s own country will be discussed in the conversation. The supervisor will write notes during the conversation, and you will get the record at the end.
You need to bring your birth record, visa, and national ID card to the interview. The Home Office should receive the originals of these papers and any other relevant paperwork. The documents must be submitted after the interview if they are not able to be sent in advance. After the interview, additional evidence may be requested.
A lawyer or solicitor may be called to the interview as a legal representative. There is no way to request additional time to have a legal representative.
The UK’s immigration system lets people stay in the country for different reasons, like being refugees or needing help for social reasons. Humanitarian protection is available if you are unable to return to your home country, and refugee status is the recognition of you as a refugee, as defined in the Refugee Convention. You will be permitted to remain in the UK for a minimum of five years and will be eligible to apply for a refugee integration loan if this is granted.
Typically, a spouse or children under the age of 18 who are listed as “dependants” in your application will be granted permission to remain for a period of five years. After five years, they are eligible to apply to establish themselves as a family in the UK. Dependents are not granted refugee status or humanitarian protection unless they submit their own asylum application. If you possess humanitarian protection or refugee status, you are eligible to apply for a refugee integration loan.
For those who are not eligible for refugee status or humanitarian reasons, it may be possible to obtain permission to remain for other reasons. The length of your stay is contingent upon your circumstances, and you may be eligible to apply for an extension or to establish a permanent residence in the UK after your visit.
If your caseworker determines that there is no other justification and you do not qualify for refugee status, you may be requested to depart the UK. If you fail to appeal, you may be compelled to depart, which may involve being detained without notice at an immigration removal centre or departing alone.
Applications for asylum should be submitted independently by children under the age of 18. If they have an adult family member seeking refuge, they should apply along with that person’s application. If they are not already receiving assistance from social services, they may visit the asylum intake unit’s walk-in service. They are required to attend the service with a legally responsible adult. If multiple relatives are residing in the household, the closest blood relative is required to attend.
A valid photo identification and proof of address are necessary. If an adult is not present, they should contact the police or social services. If they are under the supervision of social services, they are required to schedule an appointment with the asylum intake unit by contacting the appointment booking line. For the meeting, you will need to provide the following details: the individual’s full name, date of birth, country of origin, passport or ID number, the foster carer’s name and contact information, as well as any relevant medical conditions.
Rees Clayton’s asylum solicitors can offer support for a variety of concerns, such as filing an asylum claim, residing in the UK while your claim is under review, obtaining asylum support, resolving accommodation issues, and interacting with agencies. Additionally, legal counsel may be rendered to facilitate your asylum application.
Housing and financial assistance (referred to as “asylum support”) may be provided to you and your family if you meet the criteria. Furthermore, assistance may be accessible for the purpose of returning home.
