Asylum

Application

Qualifying for Asylum depends on whether you are a 'refugee'.

To be a refugee you must be outside your country of origin due to a well-founded fear of persecution for 1 or more of 5 reasons relating to your:

Race
Religion
Nationality
Membership of a particular social group
Political opinion

If you qualify, you cannot be sent back to your country until the risk is small or gone.

The decision is made by the Home Office, which can decide that circumstances have changed and a return would be safe.

How to apply

You may apply at any time to the Home Office, but failure to apply on arrival to the United Kingdom may mean you will not be entitled to receive any support. It is very important to seek advice on arrival if you have concerns. The Immigration Officers at the air or sea ports will help you.

What happens when you apply?

Firstly you will be interviewed. Its purpose is to discover:

Your personal details
Where you came from
Whether there is a safe third country
Whether you should receive support

An interpreter will be used if requested. You are entitled to a note of the meeting.

The next stage is induction. You will be sent to a centre where you will be told of the progress and what will happen to you.

A further interview will follow. This is a full asylum interview. If you have a legal representative, then they may help you. This interview is called the full asylum interview.

You have up to 5 further days to make available further information and then a decision will be made.

Identity card

You will be finger printed and a photograph will be taken. You will be issued with an identity card known as an Asylum Registration Card, it is an important document as it is proof of the right to be in the United Kingdom.

Detention

The likelihood of detention depends upon a number of factors. Those likely to face detention are:

People who are suspected Terrorists
Where there is a prospect of you being returned to a safe third country
If you have used false documents
If you have a clearly unfounded case (such as coming from a Home Office considered safe country)

Housing

If granted support, you are likely to be housed in a hostel temporarily. You will then be dispersed to another part of the country, unless there good reason such as need for specialist medical treatment.

Medical care

Once you are registered as an Asylum Seeker, you can get free medical care and register with a local doctor.

Help with claim for asylum

There is no longer an Adult Asylum team in place within the borough. Instead, the Home Office will provide support through the National Asylum Support Service.

Contact

Barking and Dagenham Direct:

Tel: 020 8215 3000

Fax: 020 8227 5184

Textphone: 020 8227 5755

Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.

Please note: All enquiries regarding Immigration and Asylum should be made through the Home Office.