What is Asylum?

This guide by Right to Remain (last updated October 2024) explains the asylum process for people claiming protection in the UK, covering the legal definition of a refugee under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the Home Office's decision-making criteria. It breaks down key concepts including well-founded fear, persecution, particular social group (including the changes introduced by the Nationality and Borders Act 2022), sur place claims, internal relocation, and humanitarian protection for those fleeing widespread violence. The guide is written in accessible language for asylum seekers themselves and is available in multiple translated versions and video formats, making it particularly useful for frontline workers and community organisers supporting people navigating the asylum system.