Claim asylum in the UK
Asylum interview
Your asylum interview will usually take place soon after your screening.
Getting an interview appointment
You’ll get a letter telling you when and how to attend your interview. Most interviews happen over video calls. If there is a reason you need to have your interview in person instead, let the Home Office know as soon as you can.
If your partner or children under 18 were included in your application as ‘dependants’ they may also need to attend an interview. The letter will tell you if they do.
Evidence you must send
You’ll need to send the following documents to the Home Office by post before your interview, if you have them:
- birth certificate
- passport
- national ID card
These need to be the original versions and not copies. You should also send these identity documents for any dependants included in your application.
All foreign language documents must be translated into English, and must show who did the translation.
UK Visas and Immigration
PO Box 7782
Village Way
Bilston
WV1 9QB
You also need to email any evidence you have of your persecution, and any other evidence you think will help your application, to the Home Office.
AHROcentralcommunicationshub@homeoffice.gov.uk
If you cannot send your identity documents and evidence before your interview, you’ll need to send them after. You may be asked to send extra evidence to your caseworker after the interview if they think it might help your application.
What happens in the interview
You’ll usually be interviewed without your family members. An interpreter will be provided, if you need one.
If you would prefer to have a male or female interviewer or interpreter, ask the Home Office about this as soon as you can before the day of your interview.
The information you provide will be confidential and will not be shared with the authorities in your own country.
Use this interview to explain:
- how you were persecuted in your country
- why you’re afraid to go back to your country
You may be asked questions about difficult topics but it’s important that you explain what has happened to you and your family.
You must tell the caseworker everything you want them to consider or it can count against you.
Your caseworker will make notes in a document called an ‘interview record’. You’ll get a copy of this at the end of the interview.
Video interviews are recorded and you’ll receive a copy after the interview.
Who else can be in the interview
You can bring a legal representative to this interview, for example an immigration adviser, lawyer or solicitor. Find out if you can get help paying for legal advice about asylum.
In some cases, you can attend with a friend or a support or social worker instead of or as well as your legal representative.
The friend must not be:
- a family member
- seeking asylum themselves
You must tell the Home Office before your interview if you are planning to bring a friend.
Your interview will take place even if your legal representative is not there. You cannot ask for more time to get a legal representative.
If you cannot attend your interview or you miss it
You can only rearrange your interview for reasons outside of your control, such as:
- a medical or maternity appointment that you cannot rearrange
- severe travel disruption
- unexpected childcare issues
- you’re ill on the day
You will need to give evidence from a medical professional if you rearrange the appointment due to sickness.
Let the Home Office know that you cannot attend as soon as you can before your interview, or no more than 7 days after the date you were supposed to attend.
DES.SCT@homeoffice.gov.uk
If you miss your interview and you do not give a reason, your application will usually be withdrawn. You’ll have to apply again if you still want to stay in the UK.