Asylum Interview Sample Questions UK You Should Know Before Applying for Asylum

According to Refugee Council UK, around 77,066 asylum applications have been made in the last 12 months, with approximately 133,409 people still waiting for an initial decision. 

Your application consists of a crucial part, the asylum interview. If you’ve fled the UK to seek asylum, you need to be ready to prove and explain your case. 

If you are going to apply for asylum and need help preparing for an effective asylum interview, then you’re at the right place.

This blog will help you with asylum interview sample questions UK, and you will learn about what is asylum interview, asylum screening interviews, and everything you need to know to prepare for your interview and tell your story effectively.

Who are Asylum Seeker and What Types of Asylum You Can Apply?

Most asylum seekers are individuals like journalists escaping war-torn countries, oppressive regimes, or facing threats to their lives for speaking out. Others flee due to discrimination, like LGBTQ+ individuals denied the freedom to work or live openly, or those targeted for their religion.

The asylum can be in different types like:

• Refugee Status: 

• Humanitarian Protection

• Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR)

• Asylum for Unaccompanied Minors

• Subsidiary Protection: 

These are the different types of asylum options that you can apply for, based on the evidence and a proper interview to ensure the information you provide is true. For different types of asylum, different types of questions may be asked.

There are a lot of questions and myths about the asylum-seeking in UK but what is the actual reality– check it out on the given link.

What Kind of Questions To Ask In an Asylum Interview

When you apply for asylum; the Home Office can ask you different asylum interview questions and answers about yourself, your career history, criminal record, etc same as the job interview questions and answers.

• About You

  • Your date of birth, your nationality and criminal record(if any), etc.

• About Your Story

  • When did you leave your own country?

  • Why did you leave?

  • Do you have family there, and do you speak to them?

• About Your Asylum Application

  • What are you running from?

  • Who is making you feel threatened?

  • What method did you use to gather your evidence?

Find out more about the eligibility criteria and relevant information about asylum,

How to Prepare Yourself for the Asylum Interview? Mock Asylum Interview and Sample Questions

For the question ( how to pass asylum interview) We have provided you with examples and sample interview questions as a mock interview(typical interview questions) that will help you gain confidence when you appear in person before the Home Office. We know there may be other questions on your mind, but they will be cleared by the end of the blog

1. Asylum Screening Interview Sample Questions For Asylum Seekers Because of A Religious Threat

Question 1: What religion were you practising in your home country and how did this affect your life? Answer: I am a Christian but I am from a Muslim country where Christians are illegal in many parts of the country. In 2017, my family started openly practising Christianity and was targeted. Once, in a market, a group of men found out I was Christian and began shouting at me. They threw rocks at me and told me to leave.

Question 2: Could you give an example of where you were threatened because of your religion?

Answer:

During Sunday service, in 2018, my church was attacked. They came in and we had a group of extremists in and they started shouting at us, saying we were infidels. If we didn’t stop worshipping, they threatened to burn the church down. It was terrifying. We had to get out through a back exit. The police didn’t do anything and we had to fend for ourselves.

Question 3: What did your family do when they found out?

Answer:

My family was scared. In 2016, my father had already lost his job because of his Christian faith. He moved us to a smaller town when the threats started escalating so we wouldn't be under the radar. In 2019, the threats came to our doorstep. They would leave notes saying we would ‘pay’ for following Jesus.

Question 4: Did you ever report any of these incidents to the authorities?

Answer:

I did report the attack on our church to the police, but they didn't do anything. They said it was a “religious misunderstanding” and we should be more discreet. In my country, the police don’t protect religious minorities like Christians.

Question 5: Why did you decide to leave your country and go into exile?

Answer:

I felt like I had no other choice, after everything that happened. In 2020, threats became more personal. Members of the extremist group approached me and said they would ‘deal with me’ if I didn’t convert to Islam. I knew I was going to die if I stayed so I left and went to the UK and found asylum.

2. A Mockup Interview and Related Good Interview Questions to Ask For A Political Asylum Interview.

Question 1: Do you have any information about your political activity in your home country? I was part of the opposition party in my country. In 2014 I began getting involved because I couldn’t stand being part of a government that was corrupt and was committing human rights abuses. I was in protesting for free elections and transparency, and organising peaceful protests.

Question 2: What was it that made you a target of the authorities?

Answer:

Last year I helped organise a huge protest in the capital city against the government’s decision to raise fuel prices. When the police started firing at the crowd, the protest became violent. Then the authorities labelled me a 'traitor' and monitored my movements after that. Last year they arrested me for asking questions about the government on social media.

Question 3: When you were arrested in 2018, what happened?

Answer:

In 2018 I was arrested after I posted an article about government corruption. They held me for 48 hours and tortured me. They beat me, they kept me awake for days and they threatened to put my family in jail if I didn’t stop speaking out. But they told me I would disappear if I didn’t comply.

Question 4: Did you continue to have threats after your release?

Answer:

The threats didn’t end, yes, after my release. In 2019, armed government agents came to a friend’s house looking for me. I got out the back door, but I couldn’t stay in my country any more. They were watching me closely.

Question 5: Why did you decide to leave your country and seek asylum in the UK?

Answer:

In 2020 I was given a direct threat from the government saying if I didn’t leave the country they would arrest me and this time I would never be seen again. I had no choice but to flee. When I came to the UK I expected protection and the chance to speak out without fear of being silenced.

3. Sample Asylum Interview For Transgender LGBT Gay Asylum UK

1. When did you know you were transgender, and did your family take it well? Answer: It was when I was about 13 years old that I realised I was different. I couldn’t describe it, but I knew that I wasn’t the gender I’d been born into. My family was very conservative and when I told them at 16, my father kicked me out of the house. He said it was against our religion and that I would also bring shame to the family. This happened in 2015.

Question 2: What threats did you face because of your gender identity that you can describe?

Answer:

I was harassed by my community after coming out, yes. In 2017 I was out in the street and attacked by a group of men who called me derogatory names. I was called an abomination and told they wished I would be erased. They didn’t take my complaint seriously. It began to get worse and I began to fear for my life.

Question 3: What did you do when you tried to get support from the police or authorities?

Answer:

In 2018, I went to the police to report an assault and they kicked my case to the curb. The officer told me I should stop dressing like a woman, and that my situation was my own fault. It made me realize I couldn’t stay in my country any longer.

Question 5: Why did you decide to leave your country, and seek asylum in the UK?

Answer:

I left because I was going to be murdered. No one would protect me and I was constantly harassed. Following my last attack in 2020, I couldn’t take it anymore so I left for the UK, hoping I could live without fear.

Best Tips To Follow For Your Asylum Interview

After checking out and learning about the top interview questions for asylum application; here are the guidelines and tips to prepare better for the interview at the Home Office when you go for an interview.

1. You Should Understand the Asylum Application Process

what to expect at an asylum interview? Be prepared for the interview both before and after. Your process may be different depending on your situation, but the main aim is to tell your story and why you need protection. You should familiarise yourself with the asylum interview process so you know what to expect.

2. Be Honest When Presenting and Answering the Questions

The interview is all about honesty. You must give true answers to all questions. While it’s not always easy to talk about some things, being straightforward will help build trust with the interviewer.

3. Collect All the Important Information Prepare Your Story

The most important part of the interview is your personal story. Prepare your story in a clear and organized way and think about it. What you’ve experienced, why you fear returning, and why you left your home country.

4. Gather Evidence and Keep it Organised

You should support your story with evidence. The materials you can use to back up your claims can be documents, photos, medical records, or any other materials. The stronger your case the more evidence you have.

5. Know the Key Questions

Every interview is not the same but there are questions that you will be asked in most interviews. They can be things like why you had to leave your home country, who is persecuting you, what the risks are, and how you got to the UK. So that you are comfortable during the interview, practice answering these questions.

6. Review Your Application

The information you’ve already submitted in your asylum application is the basis of the interview.

7. Stay Calm, Collected and Well Behaved

But, it’s natural to feel nervous, try to stay calm. If you need to, take a moment to gather your thoughts.

8. If Needed, Bring a Translator.

In case you are not speaking English, ensure that you have a translator or an interpreter who will accurately translate the interview.

Conclusion

In this blog, we’ve shared common interview questions and answers, preparation tips, and everything you need to confidently tackle your interview. At MSD Solicitors, we specialise in immigration, asylum seeking, family disputes, visa issues, and more.

Our dedicated team is here to guide you, from starting your application to seeing it through to the end, with a track record of success stories and happy clients. We’ve helped many achieve their goals, and we’re ready to help you too.

Book your free consultation today for expert advice and support with your asylum application.

📞 Call: 0161 503 0553

📧 Email: info@msdsolicitors.co.uk

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