Expert Asylum SupportFrom Claim to Protection
Specialist asylum solicitors guiding you through the entire process. Screening preparation, substantive interviews, asylum support, and appeal representation with compassion and expertise.
Asylum claims are assessed under the 1951 Refugee Convention and ECHR. Successful claims lead to 5 years' refugee status or humanitarian protection with full rights to work and access services. Legal aid is available throughout. If refused, you have 14 days to appeal to the immigration tribunal.
*All claims assessed individually. Home Office and tribunals make final decisions on all asylum claims.
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The UK Asylum Process
If you have fled your country and fear persecution, you have the right to claim asylum in the UK. The asylum process involves screening, a substantive interview, and a decision by the Home Office. Our specialist solicitors guide you through every step to give your claim the best chance of success.
Screening Interview
Initial registration of your claim. Identity, biometrics, travel route, and a brief outline of why you need protection. We prepare you in advance.
Substantive Interview
Detailed interview about your persecution, fear, and why you cannot return. We attend with you, prepare you thoroughly, and ensure fair treatment.
Decision & Protection
Refugee status or humanitarian protection grants 5 years' leave with full rights. If refused, we represent you at appeal within 14 days.
Understanding the Asylum Process
The UK asylum system is designed to assess whether you have a genuine need for international protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention or the European Convention on Human Rights. To be eligible, you must have left your country and be unable to return because you fear persecution based on your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group. The process begins with a screening interview (identity and basic outline), followed by a substantive interview (detailed account of persecution). You must tell the caseworker everything relevant - withholding information can count against your credibility. All information is confidential and will not be shared with your country's authorities. While your claim is pending, you may receive asylum support (accommodation and £49.18 per week if destitute). You cannot be removed while your claim is being decided. If successful, you receive 5 years' leave with full rights to work and access services. If refused, you have 14 days to appeal to the immigration tribunal. Legal aid is available throughout the entire process.
Who Can Claim Asylum?
Anyone who has left their country and fears persecution based on a protected characteristic
Persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or particular social group
Individuals fleeing conflict, violence, or situations where the state cannot protect them
LGBTQ+ individuals from countries where their identity is criminalised
Women and girls at risk of gender-based violence, FGM, or forced marriage
Claims at port of entry or in-country - both are valid routes
Asylum Support While Claiming
Section 95: Accommodation and £49.18/week if destitute
Section 98: Emergency accommodation while Section 95 is assessed
NHS: Full healthcare access including GP, hospital, and mental health
Education: Children must attend school; ESOL classes available
Legal aid: Free legal representation for asylum claims and appeals
Work: Permission to work after 12 months if decision delayed (Shortage Occupation List)
Asylum Claim Requirements for Loading...
A successful asylum claim requires demonstrating a well-founded fear of persecution, presenting credible evidence, and engaging properly with the Home Office process.
Evidence for Your Claim
Building a strong evidence base is essential for a successful asylum claim. We help you compile and present the most compelling evidence.
Key Evidence Types:
- Detailed witness statement covering your full persecution history
- Identity documents (passport, ID card, birth certificate - if available)
- Country of origin evidence from UNHCR, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch
- Medical evidence of torture, injury, or mental health impact
- Evidence of threats (threatening letters, arrest warrants, court summons)
Lack of Documents
Genuine refugees often flee without documents. The absence of identity documents should not automatically undermine your credibility - we explain this to the Home Office.
Credibility and Consistency
Credibility is the cornerstone of asylum claims. The Home Office will assess whether your account is believable, consistent, and corroborated by objective evidence.
How We Protect Your Credibility:
- Thorough preparation before screening to ensure accurate initial account
- Detailed witness statement reviewed for consistency with screening
- Substantive interview preparation covering likely questions
- Country of origin evidence corroborating your personal account
- Explanation of any apparent inconsistencies before they become issues
Lower Standard of Proof
The standard is "reasonable degree of likelihood" - you do not need to prove your case beyond doubt. We present your case to meet this threshold effectively.
Asylum Support Application
If you are destitute (no money and no accommodation), you can apply for asylum support from the Home Office while your claim is being decided.
Support Available:
- Section 98: Emergency accommodation while full application is processed
- Section 95: Dispersal accommodation and £49.18 per week per person
- Extra payments for pregnant women and mothers with children under 3
- Full NHS healthcare access for you and your family
- Section 4 support for refused asylum seekers who cannot return
Support Application Help
We help you apply for the correct level of asylum support and challenge any refusals or inadequate accommodation through the Asylum Support Tribunal.
Appeal Rights
If your asylum claim is refused, you have the right to appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal. We provide full representation at appeal hearings.
Appeal Process:
- 14-day deadline to lodge appeal after refusal (strict - do not miss)
- Full rehearing by independent immigration judge
- New evidence can be submitted that was not previously available
- Legal aid covers tribunal representation for asylum appeals
- Upper Tribunal appeal if First-tier Tribunal makes an error of law
Act Quickly After Refusal
The 14-day appeal deadline is strict. Contact us immediately upon receiving a refusal so we can lodge your appeal in time and prepare the strongest possible case.
The Asylum Claim Process
From your initial claim to the final decision, here is what to expect at each stage of the UK asylum process, and how we support you throughout.
Make Your Claim and Register
Claim asylum at the port of entry by telling a Border Force officer, or in-country by calling 0300 123 4193. Your claim is registered and you receive a screening appointment. Claim as soon as possible - delays can affect credibility. We advise contacting us immediately so we can prepare you for the screening interview and ensure your rights are protected. Bring any identity documents, evidence of persecution, and travel documents you have.
Screening Interview
An immigration officer takes your photograph, fingerprints, and asks basic questions about your identity, travel route, and a brief outline of your claim. This is not the detailed interview but what you say is recorded and used later. We prepare you in advance and can attend with you. An interpreter is provided if needed. After screening, you receive an Asylum Registration Card (ARC) and a date for your substantive interview. Apply for asylum support if you need accommodation.
Case Preparation and Evidence Gathering
Between screening and the substantive interview, we build your case thoroughly. We draft a detailed witness statement covering your full persecution history, gather country of origin evidence, obtain expert or medical reports where needed, and compile all supporting documents. We prepare you for the substantive interview with practice sessions, covering likely questions and how to present your evidence clearly and consistently. This preparation period is critical to the success of your claim.
Substantive Asylum Interview
The most important stage. A Home Office caseworker asks detailed questions about your persecution: what happened, who did it, when, where, and why you cannot return. The interview is usually by video call and is audio-recorded. It typically lasts 2-6 hours. Your legal representative attends and can intervene if questions are unfair. An interpreter is provided. Tell the caseworker everything relevant - withholding information can damage your credibility. All information is confidential and will not be shared with your country's authorities.
Await Decision
After your interview, the Home Office caseworker considers all evidence and makes a decision. Processing times vary - straightforward cases may take 6-12 months, complex cases longer. While waiting, you cannot be removed, you receive asylum support if eligible, and after 12 months you may apply for permission to work in Shortage Occupation List jobs. We monitor your case actively and chase delays. You should report any changes in circumstances (new evidence, address changes) to us so we can update the Home Office.
Decision: Protection or Appeal
If your claim succeeds, you receive refugee status (5 years' leave) or humanitarian protection (5 years' leave). Both grant full rights to work, access benefits, healthcare, and education. You can apply for family reunion, a travel document, and eventually ILR and citizenship. If refused, you have 14 days to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal - we provide full representation. Many refusals are overturned on appeal with proper legal representation and new evidence. If all appeals fail, fresh claims may be possible with new evidence or changed circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the UK asylum process, including how to claim, interviews, asylum support, processing times, and appeal rights.
Speak to an Asylum Specialist
Get expert advice about your asylum claim from our specialist immigration solicitors. All consultations are confidential.
Call 020 3039 3080Free consultation - Same-day callback - Legal aid advice
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Specialist Asylum Solicitors
Our experienced team provides compassionate, expert legal representation for asylum seekers from countries across the world. From the moment you claim asylum through screening, substantive interview, decision, and appeal, we are with you at every step. Legal aid is available for asylum claims, ensuring access to justice regardless of your financial situation.
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Meet the Specialists Behind Your Success
Our experienced team of immigration professionals is dedicated to helping you navigate the UK visa process with confidence.
Ian Henery
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Malik Ansar
Immigration Consultant
Saima Kauser
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Alybah Fatima
Admin
Mohamed Mohamed
Immigration Case Worker
Safwan Shah
Legal Assistant
Musa Babal
Immigration Consultant
With decades of combined experience, our team has successfully helped thousands of families reunite in the UK.
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