In the UK, a person is recognised as a refugee only when their application for asylum has been accepted by the Home Office. When a person has lodged an asylum claim with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) at the Home Office and is waiting for a decision on their claim, s/he is called an 'asylum seeker'.
An asylum applicant is granted refugee status if they meet the criteria laid down in the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees. If the asylum application is initially refused, the applicant has appeal rights with the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.
If the asylum application is granted, the refugee will only be granted limited leave, initially for five years, after which their case will be reviewed. This applies only to those who have received refugee status since September 2005. Those receiving refugee status prior to this are allowed remain indefinitely.
Want to know more?
The process for getting refugee status is long and complex, as is the process of appeal. Asylum seekers who have been refused status (before and/or after appeal) are entitled to support but the type of support and for how long is also based on a number of complex conditions.
If you want to know more or get advice, these options may help.
