Rights on Granting Refugee Status

Recognised refugees are entitled to the same social and economic rights as UK citizens. That means they have –

• Full rights to work under employment law
• Full access to medical treatment, benefits, education and housing

As refugees, they can apply for a Refugee Convention travel document (CTD). This travel document allows refugees to travel internationally subject to visa requirements. The CTD also prevents the holder from travelling to their country of nationality and/or the country from which they claimed asylum.  

Family Members

The refugee's spouse, long-term partner and children under 18 years of age who may be outside the UK can apply for entry to the UK under the family reunion provisions in the Immigration Rules. 

Family members who are admitted under these provisions have the same rights as the refugee.

Other family members may also be eligible to apply for entry to the United Kingdom under the Immigration Rules.

Family members who were in the United Kingdom and named as dependants on a refugee's application for asylum and who were granted indefinite leave or five years leave in line with the refugee's leave, have the same rights as the refugee.

Five Year Strategy

Under the UK government's Five Year strategy announced in February 2005, refugees will be granted leave for five years.

This leave may be subject to review in the event of a significant and non-temporary change in a country or part that places in doubt the continuing need for protection in the UK of all or certain refugees from that country or part. 

If things have not improved significantly after five years, they would be eligible to settle in the UK, subject to the policies in place at that time.

Additionally a review would be triggered during the five years if the refugee's own actions brought him within the scope of the 1951 Convention's cessation clauses (e.g. if he travelled back to his country without a reasonable explanation or re-acquired a national passport) or the exclusion clauses.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Permanent residence is also known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and as settlement. 

Under current legislation, any refugee who has been granted ILR will be eligible to apply for citizenship of the UK a year after they have been granted ILR. 

However citizenship is not granted automatically and each application for citizenship will be considered on its merit. 

The new policy of granting refugees five years limited leave, rather than granting them immediate settlement, will have no effect upon the rights listed above which are given to refugees in the UK.