Claim Asylum
Claiming asylum means asking the UK for protection because you fear for your life (you are scared) for specific reasons under the law. To claim asylum, you either tell the immigration officials (government workers) at the airport/port you arrive at, or you go to a Home Office building if you have not claimed asylum at the airport/port.
The Home Office is a government department dealing with immigration and asylum. Home Office caseworkers are the people who will look into your reasons for wanting protection and stay in the UK.
You will usually need to go to the Home Office in Croydon (South London) if you don’t claim asylum at the airport/port, but if you are a long way from Croydon, the Home Office may allow you to go to a local office nearer to where you are.
You might hear people talking about ‘unaccompanied minors’. Unaccompanied minors are children (anyone under the age of 18) who are in the UK without an adult who is responsible for them. Accompanied minors are children who are with an adult who is responsible for them.
While you are under the age of 18, any decisions relating to your care should take your ‘best interests’ into account. What is classed as being in your best interests will depend on your personal situation, your wellbeing, and your views and your identity.
You might have heard of people talking about the ‘inadmissibility rules’. These will not apply to you if the Home Office believes that you are under 18 years old. However, if the Home Office does not believe that you are under 18, you may be given a ‘Notice of Intent’ letter. If you receive one of these letters, it is very important to speak to someone (for example a charity that supports you) to help you challenge it.
If you are encouraged by a Home Office official to withdraw (take back) your application for protection, do not do this. Make sure you speak to an adult that you trust, such as a lawyer.
The ‘Illegal Migration Act’ is a new law that you might hear about. If you are worried about the Illegal Migration Act, or have questions, see this helpful guide here.
Problems & Actions
Problem 1
You don't know how to claim asylum
Action 1
Go to the police or ask someone to show you how to get to the local council or social services.
Problem 2
You turn up at the Home Office to claim asylum without an appointment
Action 2
You explain you are homeless, and Home Office policy is that “You don’t need to make an appointment if you have nowhere to live – you can go to the screening unit between 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday"
Problem 3
You claim asylum a week or two after arrival
Action 3
It is really important you claim asylum as soon as possible because this could go against you in your application for asylum. However...
Problem 4
You do not have a lawyer when you claim asylum
Action 4
If possible, you should claim asylum with a lawyer (solicitor) - but this is not always possible early on in the asylum process. Your social worker will help you with finding a lawyer...
Problem 5
You arrived in the UK in Kent, but now the Home Office are saying you will be moved to a different place
Action 5
If you arrive into an area where there are already a certain number of children being supported by the local authority, you will be moved to a different area of the UK.
Problem 6
You have been invited by the Home Office to withdraw your application for asylum
Action 6
You might be asked to withdraw your claim for asylum in certain (limited) circumstances. This can only happen if...