Unsuccessful applications

This section explains what you can expect if your application for asylum is refused, and what rights and options you have.

If your application for asylum is refused, your case owner may decide there are other reasons for you to be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom. If so, you may be given humanitarian protection or discretionary leave to remain. You may have the right to appeal against our decision to do this instead of granting your application for asylum. See Successful applications for more information on humanitarian protection and discretionary leave, including what these terms mean. For more information on appeal rights, see Appeals.

If your case owner decides there are no reasons for you to stay in the United Kingdom, you may have the right to appeal to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, which is independent of the UK Border Agency. There is a time limit for making an appeal. For more information on this, see Appeals.

If you are receiving asylum support, this will continue during any appeal you make. If you do not appeal, the support will stop once the deadline for making an appeal has passed, unless you have dependants under the age of 18.

When we refuse your application for asylum, your case owner will tell you about any new conditions we impose on you for reporting to us regularly. If you do not report to us when required, we may detain you.

You will be told what options you have, including voluntary return to the country you came from.

You are expected to return home if you:

• are refused asylum;
• have arrived at the end of the appeal process; or
• withdraw your asylum application.

If you do not leave the United Kingdom voluntarily, we will remove you. See Enforced removal for more details.

If you do not appeal, or your appeals fail, any cash support you receive will stop after 21 days and you must leave any housing arranged by the UK Border Agency. You will be given seven days' notice to leave this housing. However, if you have any dependants under the age of 18, your support will continue until you and your family return home.

If you cannot return home for reasons outside your control, you may be able to receive special support known as section 4 support.

Your case owner will explain these things to you when he/she gives you our decision.

Someone who depends on you financially, such as a husband, wife, partner, or child.