Your rights

If you have refugee status, or you are in the asylum claims process, you have a number of rights that you can exercise, we’ve outlined some of these below.

• If you have claimed or are seeking asylum:

  • Free advice and representation are available for asylum claims. This is often referred to as Legal Aid or public funding.

  • You are entitled to accommodation and limited financial support whilst your asylum claim is being decided. This is often referred to as “NASS support.”

  • If your asylum claim takes more than 12 months to be decided, you can ask for permission to work.

• If you hold refugee status

  • You can apply for welfare benefits

  • You can apply for a travel document

  • Your spouse and children under 18 can join you in the UK, if certain requirements are met

  • You can apply for refugee settlement when your refugee status expires

Useful links:

• The government website lists the asylum support that is available to you.