What is the Asylum Process?

When Asylum seekers enter the UK, they have to claim asylum. After they have claimed asylum, they enter a process in which they are checked to certain standards. The Immigration and Nationality Directorate are in charge of the process.

Asylum seekers can apply for asylum in several different ways. They can apply when they enter the UK, or after. If they enter the UK and do not apply for asylum they are awarded a short period of time in which they are permitted to stay in the country. They can claim asylum before, during or soon after this time. When they have applied, they are interviewed by the Asylum screening units. They are questioned about their identity, along with many other important issues, such as nationality.

After application, there are several different possible situations. They can be accepted, and the applicant is granted asylum. If the applicant is not accepted, but the subject is in serious danger, they are awarded humanitarian protection for up to three years. Similarly, they can be awarded discretionary leave which can also be anything up to three years long. This is for cases in which the applicant is not valid for asylum or for humanitarian protection, but it is unsuitable for them to be returned to their home country because of other reasons, such as unaccompanied children. The asylum seeker can also be rejected asylum, and has to leave the UK. They have to leave whether they do so voluntary or not.

If they are rejected, they can launch an appeal within a set time after being rejected. In most cases, they are given 10 days to launch an appeal. When their application is rejected, they are given information on their rights and told how they can launch an appeal. However, the applicant can only appeal once, as they have to give all their reasons for appealing at once. This is to stop him/her from making several appeals in different courts.