Ask for each step of the claim for asylum in the UK, as it is a complicated process; every single action needs to be understood in order not to go wrong. This gives you thorough guidance on how to claim asylum in the UK, eligibility requirements for asylum, and expectations in the entire process.
What is Asylum?
According to some, asylum is a kind of protection that is given to someone who has taken to his heels from his home for reasons best known to him. The procedure through which the UK government decides applications for asylum is governed by the Convention Refugees Status 1951 by which contracting states are required to grant protection to an individual on the ground that there exists a well-found fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion thereby requiring countries to grant them that protection.
To qualify for an asylum application, you need to be a:
– person who has a well-founded fear of persecution in one’s country of origin, and there is no safe return to that country.
– entered the country illegally-to apply for asylum because he is physically in the United Kingdom.
– citizen of a country that is not regarded by the UK as safe for return.
Procedure for Asylum Claim
1. Arriving in the UK
You must be physically present in the UK before you may apply. You cannot apply for asylum from outside of the UK.
2. Registering An Asylum Application
You must inform the UK authorities about your intent to apply for asylum. This can be done in the following ways:
– At the point of entry: Inform an immigration officer upon arrival at an airport, maritime port, or immigration border control.
– At the Asylum Intake Unit: If you are already in the UK, you must book an appointment at the Asylum Intake Unit of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
3. Screening Interview
After registering your claim, you will be screened at the Home Office during an interview. Such:
– Personal details with reasons for seeking asylum will be given.
– Biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) will be taken.
– You may also be asked questions about how you came to the UK.
4. Asylum Interview
This interview is more in-depth and you must give a complete picture of your asylum claim. The Home Office caseworker will assess the following:
The credibility of your fear of persecution.
Any evidence that you provide (documents, statements of witnesses, etc.).
Your personal history and circumstances.
5. Waiting for a Decision
The Home Office will consider your case and make a decision. All this may take several months. During this time, you could receive accommodation and subsistence support if needed.
Possible Outcomes
If your asylum claim is sustained, you will be given refugee status and allowed to remain in the UK for the next five years. You are entitled to work and benefits.
Humanitarian protection may be granted for a short period where you do not satisfy the criteria for refugee status but nonetheless face serious consequences in your home country.
Rejection: In case of denial, an appeal to the decision would follow, and at the same time you may be directed to leave the UK.
What Happens If Your Claim is Rejected?
If your application is denied, you may:
Challenge the Decision: You may be entitled to have the judicial review of that decision.
Seek Assistance: An attorney or a refugee support group can assist you in appealing.
Look for Other Immigration Options: You may seek to remain in the U.K. through some other legal channel if you do not qualify for asylum.
Conclusion
Asylum application can be tiring, exhausting, time-consuming, and complicated in the shades of the United Kingdom. Being well-informed about your rights and the processes involved can further increase the chances of success for their application. If an individual is likely to claim asylum, it is advisable to seek professional legal advice by an appropriate legal authority and advice to refugee organizations-all of which will make his application almost smooth.