Asylum words, explained.

A to Z

Asylum

Protection given by a country to someone who cannot safely return to their own country because they fear persecution.

ARC (asylum registration card)

A card from the Home Office showing you have claimed asylum.

ASPEN card

The payment card your asylum support allowance is loaded onto.

Asylum support

Housing and money from the Home Office for people seeking asylum who would otherwise be destitute. Section 95 support is for people waiting for a decision. Section 4 support is for some people whose claim was refused.

BAIL401 / B1

The forms to apply for immigration bail: BAIL401 to the Home Office, B1 to the First-tier Tribunal.

Conclusive grounds decision

The second, final NRM decision on whether someone is a victim of modern slavery.

CLR (Controlled Legal Representation)

Legal aid for representation in an appeal at the First-tier Tribunal.

Country guidance

Decisions of the Upper Tribunal about conditions in a particular country, which judges must normally follow.

Dependant

A partner or child under 18 included in your asylum claim.

eVisa

Your digital record of immigration status, in your UKVI account.

First responder

An organisation allowed to refer someone into the NRM, for example the police, councils, the Home Office and some charities.

Fresh claim / further submissions

New evidence sent after an asylum claim is refused and appeals have ended. If accepted as a fresh claim, it gives a new decision and a new right of appeal.

FTT (First-tier Tribunal)

The independent tribunal that hears immigration and asylum appeals.

Humanitarian protection (HP)

Protection for someone who does not qualify as a refugee but faces a real risk of serious harm if returned.

Inadmissible

A decision that your claim should be dealt with by another country, for example a safe third country.

Interview record

The written record of your asylum interview. You should get a copy.

Legal Help

Legal aid for advice and preparing applications, for example your asylum claim.

NRM (National Referral Mechanism)

The UK system for identifying victims of trafficking and modern slavery and giving them support.

Presenting officer

The Home Office representative at an appeal hearing.

Reasonable grounds decision

The first NRM decision, on whether there are reasonable grounds to believe someone is a victim.

Refugee

Someone recognised under the Refugee Convention as having a well-founded fear of persecution for a Convention reason.

Reporting event

A regular appointment with the Home Office that you must attend while your case is ongoing.

Screening

Your first meeting with the Home Office, where your claim is registered.

Substantive interview

The main, detailed asylum interview, often called the big interview.

UASC

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking child: a child under 18 in the UK without a parent or guardian who has claimed asylum.

UASC leave

Permission given to some unaccompanied children who are refused protection but cannot be safely returned, usually for 30 months or until age 17½.

Upper Tribunal

The tribunal that hears onward appeals from the First-tier Tribunal on points of law.