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You must follow the asylum process to seek asylum in the UK if you want to stay in the UK as a refugee.
Asylum is a basic human right, but you must be able to demonstrate that you are qualified and that you are escaping persecution in your own nation and seeking safety elsewhere. The following guide will show you how to apply for asylum in the United Kingdom.
The United Nations Refugee Convention, created in 1951, guaranteed the right to seek refuge in another nation. 146 nations signed this convention, and its rules are enforceable under international law. If a person cannot return to their native country for fear of persecution, they have the legal right to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.
To file a valid asylum claim, you must meet certain requirements. The asylum application procedure may take a long time. An initial asylum application must be submitted after arriving in the United Kingdom. This decision should be based on the fact that the person has fled their country and cannot return due to the threat of persecution, which has put their lives in jeopardy.
Following the first asylum application at a border port or airport, an immigration official will meet with you. This is often referred to as "screening." These sessions are conducted in person, and you must bring any relevant documents pertaining to your case with you.
The Home Office will next decide whether or not your asylum application can be filed. You will be expected to attend a substantive asylum interview with a caseworker if you get confirmation that you are eligible to file a claim.
This interview is a chance for you to explain why you are seeking refuge. This meeting allows you to bring an immigration lawyer or attorney with you.
Within roughly 6 months following this meeting, you will get a decision on your application. While your claim is being processed, you will almost certainly be unable to work. While you wait, you could be detained in certain situations. If your application is denied, you may be able to file an appeal.
To be eligible for asylum in the United Kingdom, you must meet certain criteria. The most important factor is that you must be unable to reside in any part of your own country without fear of persecution.
This persecution can be based on the following categories, as specified by the UK government:
You must be able to prove that you requested and were refused protection by authorities in your own country. Furthermore, the authorities or a group of people sanctioned (implicitly or openly) by the authorities must be the perpetrators of the persecution.
The Home Office may deny your asylum application in certain situations. If you are traveling from another EU nation or have passed through another country on your route to the UK, your claim may not be approved due to new regulations enacted after the UK left the EU.
You must register your asylum claim as soon as you arrive in the United Kingdom to begin the asylum application process. If you don't do this right away when you arrive at a UK border, your application may be rejected. If you do not file your application when you arrive, the Home Office may conclude that you are not in threat of persecution.
You will be sent to your screening interview with an immigration officer if you arrive in the UK and inform Border Force officers that you want to apply for refugee protection.
During this session, authorities will take a photograph and your fingerprints and talk to you about why you are seeking asylum.
If you are currently living in the United Kingdom and are eligible to apply for asylum, you should contact the asylum intake section to arrange a screening interview with an immigration officer.
Your asylum application will be registered during this procedure, and the Home Office will then review your case. If you are selected, you will be invited to a substantive asylum interview.
If you are submitting an asylum application, you must submit several documents. Each step of the procedure requires the submission of different documents.
You have to provide the following documents for the initial screening:
If you are already a resident of the United Kingdom and want to apply for asylum, you must provide proof of address. This may include the following:
The papers required for the substantive asylum interview may come in a variety of forms.
Your asylum application can be strengthened if you can provide documented proof of persecution in your home country. While this may be tough to acquire, it is advised that you give as much proof as possible to your interviewer.
Providing the following would help:
It's important that this evidence be authentic and not tampered with in any manner. Your immigration lawyer will go through the types of evidence you should submit with you and guide you through the procedure.
When you inform border authorities that you are intending to register an asylum claim in the UK, the first step of the process starts. The procedure will vary depending on whether you are doing this at the UK border or making an appointment at the asylum intake facility.
You will be asked to submit biometric data (fingerprints and photos), basic background information, your immigration status, and if you have any health or medical requirements during this screening interview. It is important that you give precise answers to all questions. At this time, you should also request a copy of the interviewer's notes.
You may be asked to provide proof of your identity during this screening interview (e.g., a passport, birth certificate, etc). The border officer will inquire about your reasons for requesting asylum in the UK, as well as the persecution you suffer in your native country.
The interviewer will not ask you detailed questions about your history at this time, and the session should take between 1-2 hours. The Home Office will use the information you give in the screening interview to determine whether you will be granted a substantive interview.
The objective of the substantive interview is for the applicant to provide evidence to the Home Office to support their application for international protection. The official from the Home Office will inquire about your history and the circumstances of your persecution in your home country.
One of the most crucial steps in the asylum application procedure is the interview. It's a long interview, lasting anywhere from 4-6 hours, and you have the right to be represented by an immigration lawyer or solicitor. You have the option to get an interpreter if a language barrier exists.
As is customary, the interviews are recorded, and it is highly advised that you ask for a copy of the video as well as a written transcript thereafter.
