Asylum seekers and refugees

Asylum seekers are in the process of seeking protection, while refugees have already been granted it. This status change significantly affects their legal rights and access to support in the UK.

An asylum seeker defined as:

An individual who has fled their country and is seeking protection from persecution or serious harm
Has applied for asylum and is awaiting a decision on their application
Has not yet been legally recognized as a refugee

A refugee is defined as:

A person who has been granted asylum
Has proven that they would face persecution in their home country
Has the right to stay in the UK either long-term or indefinitely

Plymouth, as a dispersal area designated by the Home Office, receives asylum seekers as part of the UK's commitment to supporting those fleeing persecution.

When asylum seekers arrive in Plymouth, they enter a complex legal process:

Application: They must apply for asylum with the Home Office.
Screening: An initial interview to establish identity and the reason for claiming asylum.
Substantive interview: A detailed interview about their reasons for seeking asylum.
Decision: The Home Office decides whether to grant refugee status, which can take months or even years.

Throughout this process, asylum seekers face numerous challenges, which can include:

Uncertainty about their future
Limited financial support
Restrictions on working
Potential separation from family members
Language barriers
Unfamiliarity with UK systems and culture

Help and support for asylum seekers and refugees in Plymouth

The asylum seeker and refugee-related groups and organisations listed within the A to Z Directory can either help you directly or provide information and support.

To find out more about how they can help you, please contact them using the phone number, email, or website address they have provided.

View an A to Z Directory of asylum seekers and refugees-related groups and organisations

Plymouth's approach to supporting asylum seekers and refugees reflects its history as a city of seafarers and adventurers, a place that understands the courage it takes to leave one's home in search of safety and opportunity.

Is the information correct?

Let us know if the information on this page is wrong and needs to be updated.

Want to create a page on the Plymouth Online Directory? Register for free and add a page - it only takes a few minutes.