Asylum is a protection given under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of which United Kingdom is a signatory. To be recognised as a refugee, you must have left your country and be unable to go back because you have a well-founded fear of persecution because of your:

• race;
• religion
• nationality;
• political opinion; or
• membership of a particular social group.

If you do not qualify for recognition as a refugee but if there are humanitarian or other compassionate or compelling reasons then you be given temporary admission to stay in the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom is also a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, which prevents the United Kingdom government from sending someone to a country where there is a real risk they will be exposed to torture, or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

If you do not qualify for asylum but on the other hand the United Kingdom government think that there are humanitarian or other reasons to allow you to stay in the United Kingdom then you be given temporary permission to remain in the UK. But remember that it is not every case that ends up in grant of asylum or humanitarian protection. There has to be solid evidence to come up to the criteria. You must seek advice from immigration experts.

• How to claim asylum?
• Can I claim asylum while I am outside the United Kingdom?
• Where can I claim asylum?
• What evidence do I need?
• What if my asylum application is refused? Can we appeal?
• What happens at appeal?
• How to appeal?
• What happens in appeal?
• How long does it take for appeal to be decided?
• How much does appeal cost?