Claiming asylum in the UK

Refugee Settlement – SET (P)

You can apply for refugee settlement if you have been granted asylum or humanitarian protection status in the UK and have held this status for 5 years. Any dependants granted asylum or humanitarian protection at the same time as you, who were dependent on your claim, may also be included in the application. Your dependents who have come to the UK under family reunion can also apply with you on your settlement application.

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How we work

1

You talk, we listen.

Talk to a legal expert about your problem, we’ll listen and then recommend the best next steps for you.

2

We’ll show you the options.

We’ll show you the best package for your needs, or create a custom package if that works better, with no obligation to buy.

3

We’ll help you every step of the way

Everything is managed through your own personalised online dashboard, and we’re always at the end of a phone.

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Requirements

What are the main eligibility requirements for refugee settlement?

The requirements for indefinite leave to remain in the UK as a refugee or person granted humanitarian protection are that:

  • You have held a residence permit as a refugee or person granted humanitarian protection status (or their dependant), for a continuous period of five years in the UK; and
  • The circumstances which caused you to be recognised as a refugee are still relevant; and
  • This residence permit has not been revoked or not renewed; and
  • You have not been:
    • Sentenced to imprisonment for 4 years or more; or
    • Sentenced to imprisonment for between 12 months or 4 years if less than 15 years has passed since the end of your sentence; or
    • Sentenced to imprisonment for less than 12 months, if less than 7 years has passed since the end of the sentence; or
    • Received a non-custodial sentence (such as a fine or community sentence) or other out of court disposal (such as a penalty notice or caution) that is recorded on your criminal record, if less than 2 years has passed since you received this; and
  • The Secretary of State does not consider that you have caused serious harm by your offending; and
  • The Secretary of State does not consider that you have persistently offended and shown a particular disregard for the law; and
  • The Secretary of State does not consider that it is undesirable to grant settlement in the UK in light of your conduct, character or associations or the fact that you represent a threat to national security.

What else do you need to know

What else do I need to know about refugee settlement?

Your residence card as a refugee may be revoked or not renewed if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the Refugee Convention ceases to apply for any one or more of the following reasons:

  • You have voluntarily returned to your country of nationality;
  • Having lost your nationality, you have voluntarily re-acquired it;
  • You have acquired a new nationality, and enjoy the protection of the country of your new nationality;
  • You have voluntarily re-established yourself in the country which you left owing to a fear of persecution;
  • There has been a significant and long-lasting change in circumstances so that it is not reasonable for you to refuse to seek protection in your country of nationality.

Your residence card as a refugee may be revoked or not renewed if the Secretary of State is satisfied that you are excluded from the protection of the Refugee Convention for any one or more of the following reasons:

  • You should be, or are, disqualified from being a refugee (e.g. due to having committed a crime against peace, a war crime, a crime against humanity, or acts contrary to the purpose and principles of the United Nations);
  • You have used a misrepresentation, submitted false documents, or omitted facts which were decisive for the grant of asylum;
  • There are reasonable grounds for regarding you to be a danger to the security of the UK;
  • You have been convicted of a particularly serious crime and constitute a danger to the community of the UK.

A grant of humanitarian protection status may be revoked or not renewed for the same reasons as those set out above in relation to refugee protection.

If your application for settlement is refused, but the Home Office does not propose to revoke your status as a refugee or a holder of humanitarian protection status, as you are still in need of protection, you will be granted limited leave for a period of 3 years, which may be renewed.

How our immigration lawyers can help

Photo of Sarah Rogers, founder of Immigration Advice Centre

Sarah Rogers

Founder of IAC

Our immigration lawyers have considerable experience of preparing and submitting applications for settlement following a grant of asylum or humanitarian protection. Immigration Advice Centre can also offer legal aid funding to those who are financially eligble.

We can help you with as much or as little advice and assistance as you need with tailored packages or individual services giving you flexibility to chose all the assistance you need when you need it. You’ll also have the benefit of access to our innovative client portal, giving everything you need at your fingertips.

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I have been using Immigration Advice Centre ... I have been using Immigration Advice Centre in Middlesbrough since I moved to England five years ago. The staff very friendly, helpful and provided fantastic service. I would highly recommend them to anyone who struggles to get their head around a visa application. Special thanks to Jan, Liam and colleagues for helping me to get my indefinite to remain visa. Ainur Sabirova
I have received an excellent service… I have received an excellent service from you guys. Thanks a lot Jan and colleagues. Well done Marian Udegbune
Top quality service time and again It has been my pleasure to have known and used this service on four occasions now. The fact that I keep coming back tells a story. My wife and son now live with me here in England and it could never have happened were it not for the quality of service we received from Jan at the Immigration Advice Centre in Middlesbrough. They have never failed to meet my expectation, well done. Andrew Somerville
Brilliant Service Brilliant service, really helpful and friendly staff. Would recommend to anyone Struggling to get their head around a visa application Stu
I cannot praise this company enough I cannot praise this company enough, my husband and I had great service. All staff were professional, friendly, helpful and always kept us timeously informed of the progress of the application for citizenship from start to finish. Thank you so much again to the centre. Also last thought very reasonable. Kathleen Dumont
The IAC lawyers are really professional The IAC lawyers are really professional and also ethical. I used their services on few occasions. Each time they appraised me on the finest details of the legal requisites, the application process and possible legal outcomes based on evidences that I provided. I am extremely pleased with their sense of responsibilities and commitments to me as client. I would highly recommend to get in touch with IAC lawyers for seeking their advise in case you are looking for a trustworthy professional person to represent your case. Dr Anjan Datta
When I found the Immigration Advice Centre When I found the Immigration Advice Centre I was very down but they gave me support that I needed, they encouraged me to do my best and there communication was excellent and everything has now been sorted. I would 100% recommend them, thank you for everything especially to Sarah Rogers. Best wishes From: Joao Simao Joao Simao
Very cooperative and professional Very cooperative and professional They are really caring, friendly and professional services providers. Always keep you update and guide you at every stage. Very cooperative even very flexible in their fees payment as well. Highly recommended, thank you so much Liam Ridgeway. Waseem Siddiqui
Absolutely highly recommended Absolutely would highly recommend Immigration Advice Centre to everyone needing advice or help. The staff are really friendly and would like to thank everyone there who have helped in the past and now. All visa's applied for have always been granted as they double check everything to a high standard. Jag
Very very brilliant service 👌 Very very brilliant service 👌 I have been using Immigration Advice Centre in Middlesbrough since I moved to England one year ago. The staff very friendly, helpful and provided fantastic service everytime even holiday. Special thanks to Jan for helping me and my wife to get leave to remain visa. And I'm so happy at this moment because my wife is coming soon to UK. I would highly recommend them to anyone who struggles to get their head around a visa application. Thanks for everything guys. Hamed Jafarian
I had very good quality advice and assistance I had very good quality advice and assistance from Immigration Advice Centre. Special thanks to Jan for her great effort and assistance for to get my UK Spousal/Partner Leave to Remain Visa successfully. I highly recommend to them to anyone.... Malak Hasanova
Brilliant Special thanks to Jan Farnaby for her work, she did an amazing job and made it very simple with friendly approach and professionalism. Highly recommend. Sanan Hasanov
I had a great experience dealing with IAC I had a great experience dealing with the immigration advice centre. Thanks to Jan Farnaby and Kim PRIMROSE NAGGAYI
Service with a smile June and I would have no hesitation in recommending the centre. Right from the off, Jan, Kim and all connected with the centre always kept us informed, knowing full well that the system is so difficult to negotiate on your own; we could not have got through this without Jan! Steven
BRP Application My Wife needed to apply for her BRP extension and we were recommended The Immigration Advice Centre in Middlesbrough. Jan Farnaby was the lady we dealt with mainly and at times Sarah Rodgers, who were both absolutley brilliant. Jan went out of her way to accomodate my Wifes schedule and we were extremely happy happy with the service and outcome of the application. Jan has helped us on more than one occasion and we will be going back next time we require assistance. Great service from Jan, Sarah and the girls at Reception. Many thanks. David Charnock

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