Question 1

What is Asylum?

Accepted Answer

Asylum is protection given by the UK to people who would face persecution in their home country. The UK is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. A refugee is a person with a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.

Question 2

How do I claim asylum in the UK?

Accepted Answer

You can claim asylum by presenting yourself to a Home Office Asylum Intake Unit, by indicating at the border that you wish to claim asylum, or in some cases through your legal representative. You should claim as soon as possible after arriving in the UK.

Question 3

What is the difference between asylum and humanitarian protection?

Accepted Answer

Asylum is granted to those who meet the definition of a refugee under the 1951 Convention. Humanitarian protection is granted to those who do not qualify as refugees but face a real risk of serious harm if returned to their country of origin, such as a risk of torture or unlawful killing.

Question 4

How long does the asylum process take?

Accepted Answer

Processing times vary considerably. The Home Office aims to decide straightforward cases promptly. The duration of any individual case cannot be predicted with certainty and depends on the complexity of the case and Home Office workload.

Asylum Solicitor London