Asylum
About this service
Seeking Asylum
Asylum is a form of international protection granted to individuals who have fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. To be eligible, you must have left your country and be unable to return because of this fear.
You should apply for asylum upon arrival in the UK or as soon as you believe it is unsafe to return to your home country. Delaying your application may affect the outcome.
How to Apply for Asylum
To initiate an asylum claim, you must apply at a designated place, such as a port of entry (e.g., airport or seaport), an Asylum Intake Unit, or a removal centre.
The application process includes:
- Screening Interview: An initial meeting with an immigration officer to register your claim.
- Asylum Interview: A more detailed interview to discuss your reasons for seeking asylum.
Legal support is strongly recommended due to the complexity and sensitivity of asylum claims.
Note: If you have passed through or have a connection to a safe third country with which you have a connection, your asylum claim may not be considered in the UK.
Refusal
If your claim for asylum is refused, you will usually have a right of appeal which means you can challenge the Home Office’s decision in a First Tier Tribunal. If a right of appeal is engaged, an independent Judge will look at the facts and circumstances of your case and has the authority to override the Home Office’s refusal decision.
There are occasions when the Home Office will refuse an application and “certify” the claim which means there is no automatic right of appeal. If this happens, the only available remedy is to challenge the decision by way of Judicial Review.
If your application for asylum is granted, you will be classified as a refugee and cannot be returned to your country of origin.
Financial, Health and Living Support
While your asylum claim is under consideration, you may be eligible for support, including:
- Accommodation: Provided on a no-choice basis under Section 95 support.
- Financial Assistance: £49.46 per week per person for essential needs like food, clothing, and toiletries (or £9.97 per person if your accommodation provides your meals)
- Healthcare: Access to free NHS services.
- Education: Access to state-funded education for school-age children.
Support is typically provided via an ASPEN card, which functions like a debit card. Additional support may be available for pregnant women and young children, including extra financial assistance and a one-off maternity payment.
For personalised guidance on your asylum application, please contact us or call 0203 815 8440 to book an appointment. Monday to Friday, 10:00–17:00 (UK time).
If you claim asylum, you will qualify for legal aid which means you will not have to pay the fees of your legal representative.
Please note that Ashton Ross Law DOES NOT have a contract with the Legal Aid Agency and therefore we are unable to offer legal aid for any matters.
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