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How to claim asylum

Applying within the United Kingdom

If you want to claim asylum and you are already in the United Kingdom, you can make your application at our asylum screening unit in Croydon (south of London).

The asylum screening unit operates an appointment system and a walk-in-service. In the case of children, the appointment system only applies to children in the care of the local authority. Appointments can be made on their behalf by social services or the refugee council only. All other asylum seeking children outside this category should use the walk-in-service.

Please go to the asylum screening unit page for contact details.

By making your application at the asylum screening unit, you will have started the asylum process.

Making your application at the Croydon asylum screening unit

You will need to bring with you the dependants that you wish to be part of your application and the following original documents (photocopies are not acceptable):

  • Passport(s) - of you, your spouse, and any dependants in the United Kingdom.
  • Police Registration Certificates - if you/your family have one.
  • Other identification documents - these are needed to help us establish your identity and nationality and can include, for example, identity cards, birth/marriage/school certificates, membership cards.
    • Passport size (approximately 4cm x 5cm).
    • Recently taken (within the last few months).
    • Full face.
    • Light background.

The name and date of birth of the person who appears in the photograph clearly printed on the reverse of each one.

Failure to supply these photographs at the time that you present yourself in person may delay the production of documentation confirming your immigration status if you are granted leave in the United Kingdom.

  • Evidence of your accommodation - please provide documentary evidence of your accommodation such as recent bank statements, building society book, council tax demand, medical care, housing benefit book, tenancy agreement, telephone/electricity/gas bill, showing your full name and address in the United Kingdom.If you are living in someone else's house, then you will need to bring a letter (no older than 3 months) from the householder permitting you to stay, along with documentary evidence such as a bank statement (see list above) which shows his/her full name and address.
  • Any other supporting documents you wish to submit in support of your application.

If you are a child - if you are under the age of eighteen please ensure that you are accompanied by an appropriate adult. For further information you should see processing asylum applications from children, which you can download from the right side of this page.

Further information relating to how you can register your claim in the United Kingdom can be found at registering an asylum application in the United Kingdom, which you can download from the right side of this page.

For information about our screening process you should see Screening.

Terms explained

  • Asylum screening unit

    The asylum screening unit is a centre run by the UK Border Agency where a person is registered as an asylum applicant and begins the process of applying for asylum.

All glossary terms

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