Applying for asylum
You will increase the chances of your application being accepted if you apply for asylum at the earliest possible opportunity. Contact Kilby Solicitors now if you need to make an application immediately.
We are private lawyers and do not offer legal aid please be aware that as an asylum seeker you are entitled to legal aid.
The below is a summary of the asylum process.
Screening
The first part of the asylum application process is a short interview with the immigration authorities. At this interview you will be given the opportunity to explain why you want to be granted asylum. Your identity documents, if you have them, will be kept by the authorities until the end of the application process, at which stage they will be returned to you.
If, at this stage, your case is considered straight-forward it may be categorised a Detained Fast Track (DFT) case. If your case is put in the DFT you will be detained while the decision to grant you asylum is considered. This is not applicable for any trafficking cases.
If your case is not suitable for the DFT process it will be sent to an immigration decision making team in the area of the UK you are currently staying in. If you are an asylum seeker under the age of 18 (minor) our Immigration and Asylum solicitors will be able to attend your screening interview with you.
First Meeting
After your screening interview the immigration authorities will schedule a first meeting for you and your case owner. This will usually take place less than 1 week after your screening. Your case owner will be a representative from the UK Border Agency who will be responsible for your asylum application. At this meeting they will explain the application process to you and collect your identity documents from you if you were unable to provide them at the screening.
Asylum Interview
At the asylum interview your reasons for coming to the UK to seek asylum will be heard and examined in detail. If you do not attend this interview your application for asylum will be refused. It will take place about 1 week after the first meeting. In limited circumstances our Immigration Solicitors may be able to attend the interview with you.
Putting your case forward
Our immigration solicitors will be able to advise and assist you on gathering evidence in support of your application. This can be in the form of medical reports, psychiatric reports and evidence of human rights atrocities in the country of your origin.
Application outcome
The immigration authorities will try to make a decision regarding your status as soon as they can after you made the application for asylum. This can sometimes be delayed like currently because of the Covid backlog of cases and considering the Ukrainian situation. Your representative from our firm will be able to follow up the progress of your application and inform you when a decision has been made.
If you wish to make an asylum application, please contact one of our immigration solicitors now to discuss your case.