Preparing for an asylum-screening interview
Although the Home Office is committed to treating Asylum seekers with respect, dignity and fairness the interview process can make you feel as if you are on “trial” and that you have done something wrong. The top London immigration solicitors say that is not the case, even if you may feel as if you are on trial.
The best London immigration solicitors know just how stressful and intimidating the Asylum interview process is. The Asylum interview process involves:
• A screening Asylum interview;
• A substantive Asylum interview.
Many Asylum seekers are worried about how they will be treated by the Home Office during the Asylum screening process because of their age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs. The best London immigration solicitors say that Home Office caseworkers must treat every Asylum seeker with respect regardless of their age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs.
The purpose of the screening and substantive Asylum interviews is for the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department of the Home Office to decide:
• Whether you are in real danger in your country;
• Whether you need international protection in the UK.
Many Asylum seekers are worried that they will be removed from the UK. However, the top London immigration solicitors say that you will not be removed from the UK while the Home Office is investigating your case. The first stage of the investigation is usually the screening interview.
The Asylum-screening interview normally takes place when you apply for Asylum. The purpose of the screening interview is to:
• Register your Asylum claim;
• Establish your identity;
• Find out how you arrived in the UK;
• Identify any particular needs you have.
How can OTS Solicitors help?
The UK can feel like a hostile environment for migrants and Asylum seekers. It is therefore important that you get the best London immigration solicitors advice so that you get the help and support that you need in your Asylum claim.
OTS Solicitors specialise in all aspects of personal and business immigration law and have particular expertise in:
• Asylum and humanitarian protection claims;
• Applications for Administrative Review;
• Preparation of judicial review applications;
• Certification challenges including Asylum and Human Rights claims where no appeal right has been given;
• Challenges to unlawful detention and to the Detained Fast Track procedures;
• Detention and bail applications;
• Deportation cases;
• Representation at appeals at the First-tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunals.
Please call 0203 959 9123 to arrange an appointment to speak to one of our experienced London immigration solicitors who will be happy to help you.
The screening Asylum interview
The top London immigration solicitors say that the screening interview is a preliminary interview where UK Visas and Immigration officials will ask only basic questions.
However, it is important that the information that you give to UK Visas and Immigration caseworkers is honest and accurate. This is important because any discrepancies in the information provided to the Home Office officials at the screening interview and at the substantive interviews may adversely affect your credibility. If your credibility is assessed as poor this is likely to result in your Asylum claim being refused.
Asylum claim screening interview: the preliminary steps
The best London immigration solicitors say that it is important that you understand what you can ask for prior to the Asylum claim-screening interview, namely:
• You can say if you would prefer to be interviewed by a male or a female UK Visas and Immigration interviewing officer;
• You can say if you need a translator and, if so, if you would prefer a male or female translator at the Asylum screening interview;
• You should say in advance if you have any special needs, vulnerabilities or immediate needs so that these are taken into account at the Asylum-screening interview.
The Asylum-screening interview – what you need to have with you
The top London immigration solicitors say that you need to take the following with you to the Asylum-screening interview:
• You will need to attend the Asylum screening interview with your dependants if you want any of your dependants (such as your partner or children under the age of 18 years) to be part of your Asylum claim;
• You will need to take some documents to the Asylum screening interview to support your claim for Asylum, namely:
o Your passport and the passports of any dependants who are part of your Asylum claim;
o Travel documents including tickets and boarding passes in your possession;
o Police Registration Certificates;
o Any other identification documents or certificates to prove your identity and nationality;
o Medical documents detailing any medical conditions you have and any medicines you are taking;
o If you are already have accommodation in the UK, evidence of your accommodation, for example your tenancy agreement.
The Asylum screening process and biometric testing
The best London immigration solicitors advise that as part of the Asylum screening interview process biometric testing is undertaken. This includes taking photographs and fingerprints in order to provide you with an Application Registration Card (ARC). The ARC confirms that you are an Asylum seeker records the identity given to the Home Office.
The Asylum-screening interview
It is impossible for even the best London immigration solicitors to say exactly what questions the UK Visas and Immigration officials will ask you at an Asylum-screening interview but normally the questions are:
• Basic questions about your identity and details of any dependants;
• How you travelled to the UK and why you left your country of origin;
• Whether you have any medical conditions;
• Whether you have any criminal convictions;
• National security related questions;
• Your preferences about whether a man or a woman interviews you at the substantive interview.
These preliminary questions can seem intimidating or intrusive but the best London immigration solicitors recommend that you give accurate information. Any discrepancies in the Asylum screening interview information and the substantive interview may affect your credibility with the Home Office.
Legal advice and your Asylum claim
The top London immigration solicitors recommend that you take legal advice on your Asylum claim so that an expert Immigration solicitor can advise you on the Asylum screening interview process and talk to you about what additional information will help support your Asylum claim and the prospects of your Asylum claim being successful.
How can OTS Solicitors help?
OTS Solicitors are specialist in Immigration law matters and have teams of solicitors who help Asylum seekers make Asylum claims. The law firm has substantial experience in making Asylum claims and challenging Home Office decisions.
OTS Solicitors are recommended for Immigration law in the law directory, The Legal 500. OTS Solicitors have Law Society accredited solicitors status as trusted specialists in Immigration law.