Asylum

The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of offering asylum to those who need it. The UK has been a safe haven for many people who have fled war, persecution and violence in their own countries. Asylum seekers in the UK are people who have left their home countries and are seeking international protection.

The UK government has a legal obligation to provide protection to those who need it and to ensure that no one is returned to a country where they would be at risk of serious harm. Many asylum seekers in the UK have experienced trauma and violence in their own countries. They may have witnessed killings, torture or rape. They may have been forced to flee their homes with only the clothes on their backs.