UK Asylum Interview Guide: What to Expect

Types of Asylum Interviews

There are typically two interviews in the asylum process:

• Screening. GOV.UK says that at the screening you will “be photographed”, “have your fingerprints taken” and “have an interview to check who you are and where you’re from”. You are also asked about the reasons for the claim and can hand in written documents. GOV.UK does not publish how long it takes.
• Substantive interview. The main interview where you give a full, detailed account of your claim. This is the interview this guide focuses on.

GOV.UK says interviews usually happen soon after the screening. It publishes no waiting time, so this guide does not give one.

Before the Interview

Legal Representation

GOV.UK says you can bring a legal representative to the interview, for example an immigration lawyer or solicitor. Immigration advice in the UK can only be given by a solicitor, a barrister, or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Asylum is one of the areas legal aid covers — our legal aid for asylum seekers guide covers what that means and how to search for a provider.

The Written Statement

A witness statement is a written account of the claim, usually prepared with a legal representative before the interview. It normally covers:

• Your personal background: family, education, work
• What happened to you: the events that made you fear for your safety
• When events happened: dates and timelines as precisely as you can remember
• Who was involved: names of people, organisations, or authorities
• Why you cannot go back: what you fear will happen if you return
• Why your government cannot protect you

Supporting Evidence

GOV.UK says written documents supporting the claim can be handed in. Evidence in asylum cases commonly includes:

• Medical reports (from your NHS doctor or specialist)
• Country of origin information reports
• Photographs, documents, or letters
• News articles about conditions in your country
• Expert reports

On the Day of the Interview

The time and place are on the appointment letter. GOV.UK sets out what happens if that appointment cannot be kept: an interview can only be rearranged for reasons beyond your control, such as a medical appointment, severe travel disruption, a childcare emergency or illness, and the Home Office must be told within 7 days. Missing the interview without a valid reason usually means the application is treated as withdrawn.

If a partner or children under 18 were named as dependants on the application, GOV.UK says they may need to attend an interview of their own, and the appointment letter will say so.

During the Interview

The Format

A Home Office caseworker conducts the interview. GOV.UK says an interpreter is provided if one is needed, that people are usually interviewed separately from their family members, and that video interviews are recorded, with a copy provided afterwards.

The caseworker will normally:

1. Confirm your identity and basic details
2. Ask about your background and family
3. Ask detailed questions about why you left your country
4. Ask about specific events that put you at risk
5. Ask why you cannot return
6. Ask about your journey to the UK
7. Give you the opportunity to add anything you feel is important

What the Published Rules Say

• Who can be in the room. A legal representative can attend. GOV.UK says that in some cases a friend, or a support or social worker, can attend instead of or as well as the legal representative, as long as that person is not a family member or another person claiming asylum, and the Home Office is told in advance.
• Interpreters and the interviewer. A male or female interviewer or interpreter can be asked for. Caseworker guidance says a request made in advance should be met “as far as operationally possible”, and that if it cannot be met on the scheduled day the interview should normally be rearranged. A request made for the first time on the day must be considered, and if it cannot be accommodated the interview goes ahead unless there are vulnerabilities or other reasons to rearrange.
• Breaks. Caseworker guidance says caseworkers “must take breaks as appropriate and ensure the wellbeing of everyone in the room”.
• Illness. The guidance says that if a claimant states they are unwell at the start of or during the interview, the caseworker must obtain all relevant information about their health before deciding how to proceed.
• Difficult subjects. GOV.UK says: “You may be asked questions about difficult topics but it’s important that you explain what has happened to you and your family.”
• Completeness. GOV.UK says: “You must tell the caseworker everything you want them to consider or it can count against you.”

The full guidance is published as Asylum interviews, and it is written for Home Office staff rather than for claimants, which is what makes it useful: it says what the caseworker is instructed to do.

After the Interview

After the interview:

• GOV.UK says the caseworker writes an interview record and that you get a copy at the end. Where the interview was by video, it is recorded and a copy is provided afterwards.
• GOV.UK says “you’ll be told when there’s a decision on your application”. It publishes no service standard for asylum decisions, so this guide gives no waiting time.
• If your claim is refused, you may be able to appeal or make a fresh claim.

While waiting for your decision, you may be eligible for asylum support and your children can continue to attend school.

Special Circumstances

• Torture survivors. Medico-legal reports from specialist organisations such as Freedom from Torture and the Helen Bamber Foundation are commonly used as evidence in these cases.
• Victims of trafficking or modern slavery. There is a separate system, the National Referral Mechanism, for identifying them. Referrals are made by designated first responder organisations, not by the person themselves.
• Children. Children who claim asylum have adapted interview procedures. The interview is conducted by a specially trained caseworker.
• Health and vulnerability. Caseworker guidance requires the caseworker to take account of health information raised before or during the interview, and allows the interview to be rearranged where there are vulnerabilities. See our mental health guide.

Next Steps

Asylum is within the scope of legal aid — see our legal aid guide for what that covers and how to search for a provider. For official information, visit the GOV.UK asylum interview page.

Related guides:

• UK asylum process
• Asylum support
• Right to work for asylum seekers
• NHS access for asylum seekers

Questions and answers