A Guide On Claiming Asylum In The UK as Iranian Asylum Seeker

Overview

In the UK, there are no specific routes for Iranian asylum seekers UK. While the UK does have special routes for Ukrainians, Hong Kong nationals, and Afghans, there is no specific route for Iranians at the time of writing.

This means that Iranians who wish to seek asylum in the UK have no specific routes they can take and must instead apply for asylum through the primary route, which still has a high number of outstanding claims awaiting decision.

To stay in the UK as a refugee, applicants need to show that they are unable to live safely in any part of their own country because they fear prosecution there. This persecution could be for one of many reasons, such as:

• Race.
• Religion.
• Nationality.
• Political Opinion.
• Any additional factors that could put an individual at risk due to the cultural, social, political, or religious situation in their home country, including gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity,

The applicant will only be eligible for asylum in the UK if they have failed to obtain protection from the authorities in their own country.

A claim may not be considered in some cases; this includes instances where the individual fits one of the following:

• The individual is from an EU country.
• The individual travelled through a ‘third safe country’ to get to the UK.
• The individual has a connection to a safe third country where they would be able to claim asylum.

Technically, a safe third country fits the following criteria:

• The applicant is not a citizen of this country.
• The applicant would not be harmed in this country.
• The country would not send the applicant to another country where they may be harmed.

Required Documentation

To complete an asylum application, the individual applying will need to provide documents for themselves and their dependents at their asylum screening interview. The applicant should make sure to bring the following documents if they have them:

• Passports and additional travel documents.
• ID documents, such as identity cards, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and school records.
• Any additional documentation that could aid with the application process

An individual already present in the UK on another visa type may become eligible for asylum during their current stay. If this is the case, they should apply for asylum as soon as they are eligible.

Those who are already in the UK will need to provide documents that prove their address in the UK. There will be different documents required depending on whether the individual is living in their accommodation or if they are staying with someone else.

Documents For Those Living In Their Accommodation

Those who have their accommodation in the UK will need to show documents that contain the individual’s full name and UK address. Such documents could include:

• Bank statements.
• House benefit books.
• Tenancy agreements.
• Council tax notice.
• Household bills.

Documents For Those Staying With Someone Else

Those who are staying with someone else will need to provide documentation that can prove that they have permission to do so and prove the person’s address and identity. Such documents may include the following:

• A recent letter, no older than three months, from the person with whom the applicant is staying confirms that they have permission to stay with them.
• Documents that show the full name and address of the individual that the applicant is staying with. Such documents could include a council tax notice, a household bill, or a tenancy agreement.

Overview

To register an asylum claim, the applicant will need to attend a screening interview. This is a type of interview conducted with an immigration officer. At this interview, the applicant tells the immigration officer about their case.

Should the applicant claim asylum as soon as they arrive in the UK, this interview will be conducted at the UK border. However, if the applicant is already in the UK and they become eligible for asylum, they can be screened later on, once they become eligible.

At a screening interview, the applicant will:

• Have their photograph taken (biometrics).
• Have their fingerprints taken (biometrics).
• Have an interview with the immigration officer to check who the applicant is and where they are from.

During this stage of the process, the applicant should expect to answer questions regarding why they want to claim asylum. The applicant can bring written evidence with them to this screening to support their asylum claim if they wish. Any additional documentation should also be provided, which can give their case a boost.

Those who have their screening interview at the UK border will need to tell a border force officer that they wish to claim asylum in the UK. After this, they will have their application registered, and they will be screened.

However, those who are already in the UK when they claim asylum must call up the asylum intake unit. They will call back and ask simple questions regarding the applicant and their family. However, the applicant will not be asked why they are claiming asylum during this phone call. The applicant may be asked if they need assistance with housing at this time.

Those who have nowhere to live do not need to make an appointment. Instead, they should call up the asylum intake unit to find out what registration location they should attend.

Those who have dependents with them will need to inform the asylum intake unit if any dependents need to be present at any time during the registration for asylum, such as for a welfare interview.

After The Screening Interview

After the screening process, applicants need to wait for the UK Home Office to review their case and make a decision. At this time, applicants can expect to be sent an asylum registration card unless they have been detained.

It is also possible that the applicant will begin receiving questionnaires. Those who receive an asylum questionnaire should fill it out\ and return it by the designated deadline. Alternatively, it is also possible to be asked to attend a face-to-face interview; this is also known as being substantively interviewed and usually occurs when more information is needed to make a decision, such as in more complex cases.