Asylum & Humanitarian Protection in UK
Asylum is an international protection to a person who suffer persecution in his/her own country on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of particular social group. These reasons are also known as conventional reasons. United Kingdom has a great tradition to offer protection to people who suffer persecution in their own countries. Currently this protection is given under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
To be recognised as a refugee, one must have been out of his/her country and be unable to go back to their country of origin because of well-founded fear of persecution for reason of race, religion, nationality, membership of particular social group or political opinion. For further details click Asylum and Humanitarian Protection.
If someone fear risk of serious harm can make a humanitarian protection claim under the European Convention on Human Rights, which prevents the United Kingdom to send someone to a country where there is a real risk that they will be exposed to torture, or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Find full details about UK law and Immigration Rules about asylum and humanitarian protection.
Refugee Status
If you are recognised as a refugee in UK, you and your dependants will be granted 5 years limited leave to remain in UK. You will be eligible for almost same rights as of a settled person with few exceptions. If you have family members in your country of origin or somewhere else they are entitled to join you under Home Office family reunion scheme. After 5 years residence in UK, refugee and dependant family members are allowed to make an application for permanent settlement in UK. Home Office charge no fee from refugee and his family members.
Humanitarian Protection
The UK adheres to the European Convention on Human Rights, which prevents from sending anyone to a country where there is a real risk that they will be exposed to torture, or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
If you do not qualify for recognition as a refugee but Home Office think there are humanitarian reasons why should you stay in the UK, Home Office may give you temporary permission to stay in UK.