Shabana Bukhari 
In this blog, readers will learn how to locate an experienced refugee lawyer near your location for assistance with refugee-related legal matters.
What is refugee status and how is it different to asylum?
Someone that is claiming asylum has fled their country and is seeking protection in a safe third country, for instance the UK. They may have fled their country of nationality for fear of persecution and other serious human right breaches. A person seeking asylum is the position someone finds themselves in before hearing back from the Home Office on their asylum claim. Once one has a successful asylum claim in the UK you are legally recognised as a refugee under the Refugee Convention.
What are the eligibility requirements for claiming refugee status?
As discussed above, those seeking asylum are looking to successfully gain refugee status and hence the eligibility requirements are synonymous:
- You are prevented from living safely in your country of nationality because of the fear of persecution on grounds of either race, religion, nationality, political opinion, gender identity or sexual orientation.
- You are unable to receive protection from state authorities in your country of nationality.
However, your application for asylum or claiming refugee status is likely to be rejected if:
- Your country of nationality is in the EU.
- You travelled to the UK through a ‘safe third country’ which you are not a citizen of or would not pose a harm to you.
- You have a connection to a ‘safe third country’, other than the UK, where you have the possibility of claiming asylum.
What are the benefits to gaining refugee status?
There are many benefits to gaining refugee status, but the key ones include being able to stay in the UK for 5 years. Additionally, as a refugee in the UK you can work and study.
How to locate an experienced refugee lawyer near you?
If you have just arrived in the UK, you can use the asylum helpline here: Asylum helplines – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Phone the number which is available through the link to help discuss your first steps in locating a refugee lawyer in your area.
Then you may have to search by yourself to find a lawyer. Use the following link to find trusted British immigration solicitors which can aid you with your refugee application: Find an immigration adviser: Search for an adviser – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Finally, for overall information on UK asylum applications use the government’s website: Seek protection or asylum – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
FAQs
What is the difference between a person claiming asylum and refugee status?
A person claiming asylum is one who has just fled their country of nationality for fear of persecution and other serious human right breaches. This is the status prior to hearing back from the Home Office on a successful asylum claim which will see you legally recognised as a refugee.
What services do refugee lawyers offer?
Refugee lawyers can offer a range of services, some of these include handling your asylum case and providing advice on the strength of it, booking your asylum interview on your behalf and representing you in an asylum appeal case.
What are the eligibility requirements for gaining refugee status in the UK?
The broad eligibility requirements for gaining refugee status in the UK include being prevented from living safely in your country of nationality because of the fear of persecution on grounds of either race, religion, nationality, political opinion, gender identity or sexual orientation. Importantly, you must also be unable to receive protection from state authorities in your country of nationality.
What is a ‘safe third country’?
A ‘safe third country’ is one which you are not a citizen of or would not pose a harm to you.
In my UK asylum application am I able to add my family?
Yes, in your asylum application you may add your partner and children. However, please note that your children must be under the age of 18 to be considered ‘dependents’ under your application.
If I am successful in gaining refugee status, can I bring my family?
Yes, if are successful in gaining refugee status in the UK, you can bring your family with you if they were named on your application. They can stay in the UK for as long as you can.
Will my family dependents also get refugee status?
No, your family dependents whom you name on your application will not get refugee status. Instead, for them to gain refugee status they must make their own separate claim for asylum. This is because refugee status is unable to be gained through someone else’s application.
How long will it take me to find a refugee lawyer near me?
This process can be fast with some online researching and reading of reviews. However, others prefer to contact many attorneys in their area and get information on fees first. Note that the latter is a potentially lengthier process.
Summary
In this blog, readers haw learnt what the difference between a person claiming asylum and refugee status is. We have also touched upon the eligibility requirements and benefits of UK refugee status and how to locate a refugee lawyer near your location.
Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for advice on UK asylum applications and to discuss what benefits refugee status can bring you.
