Asylum process
The asylum system is complex and difficult to navigate. When someone lodges a claim for protection, the circumstances of the individuals can be varied. We don’t seek to offer advice tailored to the person here, but provide some general guidance.
Contents
The Asylum Process
There isn’t a standard journey for a person seeking sanctuary, but there is a more rigid process by which their claim for protection is decided. A very brief overview is as follows:
- You must be in the UK to make a claim for asylum and should do so at the earliest opportunity.
- A claim for asylum is registered and a screening interview takes place.
- A person is accommodated by the Home Office or if they are able to source their own accommodation, they should instruct the Home Office of the address where they’ll be living.
- A ‘substantive interview’ takes place to discuss the claim for protection.
- A decision is made. If the decision is ‘positive’, then a person will be granted refugee status or granted another form of protection to stay in the UK for a period of time. If the decision is ‘negative’, then the person may be able to appeal the decision. If people aren’t granted protection, then they may have to leave the UK.
For a more in-depth look at the process, please see the asylum navigation board on the Right to Remain website. It provides a further overview and some key information for the person at each step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies you for asylum in UK?
A person must be ‘unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion’. Increasingly however, people are being forcibly displaced due to climate. You can see the UK government eligibility to claim asylum in the UK online.
How long does an asylum claim take in the UK?
There is no set amount of time to complete an asylum claim. If a claim is undecided for 12 months, people can request permission to work, but if granted, they’re only eligible for jobs on the skilled worker visa: immigration salary list which can be found on GOV.UK.
How much money do asylum seekers get in the UK?
This will depend on their support and accommodation, this is explained on GOV.UK asylum support: what you’ll get.