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Seeking refuge is a profound and frequently difficult procedure. UK Immigration Solicitors is dedicated to giving assistance and legal advice to people seeking refuge in the United Kingdom. This article provides a complete guide to claiming asylum in the UK.
Overview of Claiming Asylum in the UK
The right to seek asylum in another nation was established in 1951 by the United Nations Refugee Convention. This agreement was signed by 146 countries, and its restrictions are now binding under international law. In the United Kingdom, a person has the legal right to claim asylum if they are unable to return to their native country due to persecution.
To make a successful asylum claim, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. The asylum claims process might be lengthy. After arriving in the UK, you must file an initial asylum application. This decision should be taken based on having left one’s own country and being unable to return due to the possibility of persecution, which has threatened the person’s life.
A meeting with an immigration official will take place after the initial asylum claim is made at a border port or airport. This is generally known as screening.’ These discussions are held in person, and you must bring any relevant documents for your case.
The Home Office will subsequently determine whether or not you are permitted to submit your asylum application. After receiving confirmation that your asylum claim is viable, you will be required to participate in a substantive Asylum Interview UK with a caseworker.
What is the Eligibility Criteria to Claim Asylum in the UK?
Eligibility requirements must be met to claim asylum in the United Kingdom. The key requirement is that you must be unable to reside anywhere in your country of origin without fear of persecution. According to the UK’s government, this persecution falls into the following categories:
- Religion
- Race
- Nationality
- Political opinion
- A country’s social, political, or religious culture may persecute an individual based on their gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other similar traits.
You must be able to demonstrate that you sought and were denied protection from authorities in your own country. Furthermore, the persecution needs to be carried out by the government or a group of people that the government has approved (whether overtly or covertly).
There are conditions under which the Home Office may deny your asylum application. If you are travelling from another EU country or have passed through another country on your way to the UK, your claim may not be granted under new restrictions enacted since Britain’s departure from the EU.
Contact our UK Immigration Solicitors for the most updated and thorough legal counsel and assistance regarding your UK Asylum Process. Contact one of our knowledgeable and cordial advisors immediately for further details.
Which Documents are Required to Claim Asylum in the UK?
You are required to submit a variety of documentation when submitting an asylum application. Document varies at each stage of the process. In preparation for the initial asylum screening interview, kindly provide the following:
- Documents of travel or passports
- Certificate of Police Registration.
- Documents serving as proof of identity (such as identification cards, birth certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, or official education records)
- Any additional documents that may be pertinent to your case
If you already live in the UK and want to apply for asylum, you will need to show proof of your home. Such things could be:
- A bank letter
- Documents about housing benefits
- Letter about council tax
- Agreement to rent or lease a place
- Bill for utilities or the house
- On the other hand, proof that you are living with another person
Different kinds of documents may be needed for the main asylum interview.
Your asylum claim may be stronger if you can show proof that you were persecuted in your home country. You should give your interviewer as much proof as you can, even if it’s hard to get.
The following would be helpful:
- Arrest warrant.
- Membership card for a political party
- published newspaper or media piece telling your story or how you were persecuted
- Any other proof to back up your claim
It’s very important that this proof is real and hasn’t been changed in any way. Your immigration lawyer will speak to you about what kinds of proof you need to send and will help you with the process.
What Happens During an Asylum Screening?
If you want to claim asylum in the UK, the first thing you need to do is tell border officials that you want to make an asylum claim. The process will vary depending on whether you are conducting this at the UK border or reserving an appointment at the asylum intake unit.
Screening Interview Details
The screening interview will ask for biometric data (photos and fingerprints), as well as general information about yourself, your immigration status, and any medical concerns you may have. You must answer all of the questions correctly. At this point, you should also ask for a copy of the interviewer’s notes.
Here are some things that might be asked of you:
- Name
- The date of birth
- Name and home country or country of birth
- Background in terms of race or ethnic group
- Talking languages
- Religious beliefs
- A job or profession
- The family
During this screening process, you might be asked to show proof of who you are, like a passport, birth certificate, or other document. The person at the border will ask you why you are in the UK looking for refuge and how you are being mistreated in your home country.
Keep in mind that at this point, the interviewer won’t ask you a lot of questions about your past. The interview should last between one and two hours. The Home Office determines the need for a substantive interview based on the information provided during the screening interview.
The Home Office can say that an asylum claim is not valid after January 1, 2021, if you went through another country where you could have claimed refuge after leaving your home country.
Case Categorisation
Your case will be put into one of three groups after the screening interview: non-detained general casework detained non-suspensive appeal or unattended minor. The way your refugee claim is categorised will affect your case.
Detained non-suspensive decisions result in the detention of the claimant after the screening interview. Furthermore, you cannot appeal this decision after a genuine refugee interview.
A child who is alone is likely to have a serious interview planned. If the Home Office feels the individual is not under the age of 18, they may seek an age assessment.
Start Your Asylum Claim Process
People must fill out the appropriate UK Home Office forms to start an asylum claim. They will have to give information about who they are, where they come from, their family, and why they are seeking asylum.
Asylum seekers must submit personal statements that describe their experiences along with any proof that supports them, such as medical records, letters of abuse, or statements from witnesses. With each component, the application as a whole becomes stronger.
Need Assistance?
We at UK Immigration Solicitors know how hard it can be to get asylum. Because of this, we have one of the best groups of experienced immigration lawyers in the UK who can help you with every step of your refugee claim. Our offices are spread out across the UK. We collaborate closely with you to provide optimal legal assistance and ensure the most effective path to securing approval for your asylum claim.
In terms of asylum law, our immigration lawyers know a lot about the right to appeal, the appeals process, international protection, asylum law and policy, and the rights of people claiming asylum in the UK.
We offer a skilled and helpful service, and we can get to work on your case right away. We know how important it is to get asylum as soon as possible, and we’ll work with you to understand your goals and give you advice on the best way to move forward. To ensure the best possible conclusion for your case, we offer high-quality translation and thorough document fact-checking services.
If you are being held because your asylum request was denied, our immigration solicitors will provide you with immediate advice wherever you are being held.
