Claiming asylum.

What the official guidance says.

• GOV.UK says anyone who has left their country and cannot return because they fear persecution can claim asylum.
• Claim after arriving in the UK, or as soon as you believe returning home would be unsafe. GOV.UK says waiting makes refusal more likely.
• Screening: you meet an immigration officer, and the Home Office then decides whether your claim can be considered in the UK.
• Interview: if your claim proceeds, you attend an asylum interview with a caseworker. You may instead be asked to attend a single combined protection interview.
• Support: help is available with legal representation and living costs while you wait. You usually cannot work while your claim is considered.
• You must report to a caseworker as instructed and tell the authorities about changes in your situation. Giving false information can lead to up to 2 years in prison or having to leave the UK.
• Children can apply alone if they have no adult relative also claiming asylum.
• Appeals against refused asylum and protection claims go to the First-tier Tribunal; see our appeals page.

What usually decides the outcome.

• Your account of what happened, in your own words, with dates and places.
• Any evidence: documents, photographs, medical reports, country information.
• Family members who may need to be included, or who are already in the UK.
• Any trafficking, statelessness or human rights aspects to the claim.

How we can help.

Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.

• Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
• Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
• Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
• Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
• Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
• Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.

Before you contact us

• Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
• Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
• Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.

Common questions.

Sources.

• GOV.UK: Claim asylum in the UK (opens in a new tab)

Related information.