Rest assured, a fully qualified immigration lawyer will handle your appointment.
If you are at risk of persecution in your home country and cannot return due to this danger, you may be recognized as a refugee and granted permission to remain in the UK. This status is typically granted under international law, specifically the 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee as someone who has a well-founded fear of persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
In the UK, if you can prove that you face such a risk in your home country, you may be granted asylum, allowing you to stay in the country legally and safely.
To claim asylum in the UK, you must be physically present in the country. Asylum cannot be claimed from outside the UK. Upon arrival, you should apply as soon as possible, either at the border or after entry. This involves registering your claim with the Home Office.
After registering, you'll undergo a screening interview. This includes providing personal details, biometric data (photographs and fingerprints), and briefly explaining why you need asylum. This is done to confirm your identity and determine if your claim can be processed in the UK. During screening, The Home Office will check if you have travelled through a 'safe third country' or if there are other reasons your claim might not be considered in the UK. If you have passed through a safe third country, the UK may refuse to process your asylum claim and might send you back to that country under the Dublin Regulation (or similar agreements).
If your claim is accepted for further processing, you will be invited to a detailed asylum interview, known as the Substantive Interview. This interview with a Home Office caseworker is where you provide a full account of why you are seeking asylum. It is crucial to be truthful and thorough, as the information you provide will be used to assess your case.
Following the interview, the Home Office will decide whether to grant you asylum. While the target is to make a decision within six months, backlogs can cause delays, sometimes extending this period significantly. The decision will be based on whether you meet the criteria under the Refugee Convention or qualify for other forms of protection.
If granted asylum, you will receive refugee status, allowing you to stay in the UK for five years, after which you can apply for permanent settlement. If refused, you may have the right to appeal, depending on your circumstances.
The asylum process in the UK generally involves several stages:
The duration can vary widely. Typically, the initial decision takes several months. The Home Office aims to decide on straightforward claims within 6 months, but more complex cases may take longer. Appeals can also add time. We cannot give you an accurate timeframe but can only provide an estimate based on your specific circumstances.
Yes, our lawyers can help you prepare by conducting mock interviews, advising on how to present your case, and ensuring that you understand what to expect. We can also help you organize your evidence and review key points you need to discuss.
You have the right to:
You will eaither receive refugee status or humanitarian protection, allowing you to stay and work in the UK.
However, you claim may also be refused. You may be given the opportunity to appeal the decision. If your appeal is unsuccessful, you may be required to leave the UK, though you might have other legal options such as judicial review.
Unfortunately, we cannot assist you with that. Please contact Community Care solicitors for your housing needs.
However, we can help you with applying for permission to work if your asylum claim has been outstanding for over 12 months.
Our lawyers will provide regular updates on the status of your application, any new developments, and any actions you need to take.
Be Honest!
Honesty is crucial in an asylum claim because it forms the foundation of your credibility and the integrity of your case. Accurate and truthful information ensures that the decision-makers can properly assess the genuine risks you face, leading to a fair evaluation of your need for protection. Misrepresentations or inconsistencies can severely undermine your claim, resulting in a refusal.
