Your asylum decision

This page explains when and how your case owner will give you our decision on your asylum application. It also briefly explains what will happen after that.

Your case owner aims to give you our decision within about 30 days of the date on which you made your application. He/she will normally do this in person and will explain it to you.

You may be required to enrol your biometrics as part of the asylum application process. Your case owner will provide further information at your asylum interview.

The case owner assesses each application on its merits. He/she will make the decision based on what you said at your asylum interview, any evidence you provided, and the information we have about your country of origin.

If you are given asylum

If you are recognised as a refugee, you will be given asylum and a biometric residence permit, or an immigration status document depending on the date of your application that allows you to enter or stay in the UK for an initial period of 5 years. If you have any dependants, they will be given the same permission. Your case owner will help you to build a life in this country by giving you the documents and information you need.

For more information, see Successful applications.

If you are refused asylum

If your asylum application is refused, you will be told what rights you may have to appeal against our decision, and the time limits for this.

Your case owner may decide you are able to stay here for humanitarian or other reasons, in which case you may be given permission to stay temporarily.

If your case owner decides there are no reasons for you to stay, you and your dependants will be expected to leave the United Kingdom. Your case owner will tell you about options you have, including voluntary return to your country using the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme.

Your case owner will also tell you about any new requirements for reporting to us. We may detain you if you do not comply with those requirements.

If you do not leave the country, we will remove you. We may detain you until you are removed.

For more information, see Unsuccessful applications.

Someone who depends on you financially, such as a husband, wife, partner, or child.A legal process we follow that enables us to force a person to leave the United Kingdom if he/she has no right to be here. It may involve arrest and detention in a secure centre until the person leaves the country.