The asylum screening is the formal starting point of your claim for protection in the UK. It is your first official meeting with a UK immigration officer, where your claim is registered and basic but crucial information about you is collected. Whether you claim asylum immediately upon arrival or after you are already in the UK, the screening is a mandatory and vital step in the process.
This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step explanation of what to expect at your asylum screening. Understanding this initial stage can help reduce anxiety and ensure you are fully prepared. Our team of specialist asylum lawyers provides expert guidance from the very beginning of your journey, ensuring you are ready for your screening and that your claim is registered correctly and professionally.
What is the Purpose of the Asylum Screening?
The screening is not your main asylum interview. The Home Office uses this initial meeting to achieve three main objectives:
- To Register Your Claim: This is where your asylum claim is officially logged in the UK immigration system.
- To Establish Your Identity: The officer will take your photograph and your fingerprints (biometric information) and ask questions to help establish who you are and where you are from.
- To Gather Basic Information: You will be asked for a brief summary of why you are claiming asylum and details about your family, health, and journey to the UK.
How and Where to Have Your Screening
There are two main ways to have your asylum screening.
1. Screening at the UK Border
If you decide to claim asylum as soon as you arrive in the UK (for example, at an airport or seaport), you must tell a Border Force officer that you wish to claim asylum.
- Immediate Process: Your claim will be registered, and you will have your screening interview at the port of entry.
- Request an Interpreter: It is your right to have a professional interpreter if you are not fluent in English. You must ask for one if you need one to ensure you can communicate clearly.
2. Screening from Within the UK
If you are already in the UK and your circumstances change, making it unsafe for you to return home, you must initiate the process yourself.
- You Must Book an Appointment: You cannot simply turn up at a Home Office building. You must call the official Asylum Registration Appointment Line to schedule your screening.
- The Initial Phone Call: During this call, an operator will ask you for basic details about yourself, your family, and whether you need housing support. You will not be asked for the detailed reasons for your asylum claim on this phone call.
- Essential Information to Provide on the Call: You must tell the operator if you need an interpreter for your screening appointment and if you are bringing any dependants (your partner and children under 18) with you.
Asylum Registration Appointment Line
Telephone: 0300 123 4193
Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4:45 pm
Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Attending Your Screening Appointment: What to Expect and What to Bring
When you attend your scheduled screening appointment, it is vital to be prepared.
- Who Must Attend: You must bring all family members (partner and children under 18) who are included as dependants on your asylum claim.
- Your Rights: You have the right to bring your legal representative with you to your screening appointment. This is highly recommended to ensure your rights are protected from the outset.
- Key Questions: The immigration officer will ask you questions about your identity, nationality, family, and your route to the UK. They will also ask you for a brief outline of why you are claiming asylum.
- Health Information: Be prepared to tell the officer if you or your dependants are taking any medication or have any relevant medical conditions. This is important for your welfare.
- Interviewer Preference: You can request a male or female interviewer and interpreter. While the Home Office will try to accommodate this, it may not always be possible.
- Bring Your Documents: You must bring all your supporting documents with you, including your passports, identity cards, birth/marriage certificates, proof of UK address, and any initial evidence you have to support your claim.
Why Legal Representation at the Screening Stage is Important
While the screening is not the main interview, what you say is recorded and forms a part of your official asylum record. Having an expert legal representative from the very start is a significant advantage. Our specialist asylum lawyers will:
- Advise you on the process of booking your screening appointment.
- Help you prepare all the necessary documents and initial evidence.
- Thoroughly prepare you for the questions you will be asked, ensuring your answers are clear, consistent, and accurate.
- Attend the screening appointment with you to provide support, take detailed notes, and ensure the interview is conducted fairly and correctly.
- Ensure your claim is registered properly from day one, setting a strong foundation for the rest of your case.
Your asylum claim is the most important application you will ever make. Start it the right way. Contact our expert legal team today for a confidential consultation and comprehensive support through every stage of the process.
About the Author:
Farzad Ghods is an international lawyer specialising in UK immigration law. He is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Immigration Advisors Authority (IAA) in the United Kingdom, and is also a member of the Iran Bar Association. He brings over fourteen years of professional legal experience to his practice.