ASYLUM SEEKER INTERVIEW: A letter informs you when and where you must attend.
The letter you receive tells you if any of your dependants need interviewing at the same time.
Note: As a rule, they will reject your application if you do not attend your asylum interview.
Asylum Interview Written Statements
The UK asylum rules allow you to send a written statement if you think it will support your claim. But, the written statement must be in English language.
It must also have your Home Office reference number on it. Send any written statements to your caseworker before you attend the interview.
Asylum Interview Sample Questions UK
As a rule, they will interview you alone, meaning your family members will not be in the room. The interview staff will provide you with an interpreter if you need it. The asylum interview gives you an opportunity to give answers to example questions like:
- How did people in your own country persecute you?
- What are some reasons you feel afraid to return to your own country?
The staff understand that they need to ask you questions about difficult topics. Even so, it is very important that you explain what happened to yourself and to your family.
Note: The immigration staff treat any information you give them in confidence. They will not reveal it to any authorities in your own country. But, you must tell everything you want them to consider to your caseworker. It may go against your application if you fail to do so.
Take any evidence you have of your persecution with you to the asylum seeker interview. Your caseworker may also ask for further evidence after the evaluation. This happens most often if they think it could help you get a positive application.
Take your passport, a birth certificate, and your medical records if you have them with you. If so, the caseworker will note them in a document called the ‘interview record‘. They will provide a copy of your interview record to you after the interview has finished.
Legal Representation for Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers can take a legal representative to the interview (e.g. a solicitor or a lawyer). In some cases you may get help paying for legal advice during your asylum application.
Nonetheless, the asylum interview will go ahead even without legal representation. The rules do not allow you to request more time to find a legal representative.
Note: You are within your rights to ask for the interview to be tape recorded. This is more common when asylum seekers do not have legal representation. But, you need to ask your caseworker a day ahead of the interview to arrange it.
Extra Support and Asylum Helplines
There is further help and support available from asylum helplines run by charities. They have expert advisers who can help you with things like:
- Explaining how to claim for asylum in the United Kingdom. In some cases they can help get a lawyer or a solicitor to represent you.
- Adapting to life in the United Kingdom while your claim for asylum gets considered. This can include dealing with housing problems and getting asylum support. They can help you deal with agencies and find English language schools and classes.
Note: Any housing and money that you get is to support you and your immediate family. But, it only starts from the day that the asylum screening process took place for those who qualify.
Get Help to Return Home
Not everyone who claims asylum will get accepted. But, you may get help to return home voluntarily from the United Kingdom.
ALSO IN THIS SECTION
Apply for Asylum: A section with information on how to claim asylum in the United Kingdom.
Asylum Screening Process: What happens at the immigration meeting and at asylum registration?
Decision Waiting Time: As a rule an application will usually get decided within 6 after the interview.
Young Refugee Apply for Asylum: Applying for asylum by yourself as an unaccompanied minor.