Screening Interview

ⓘ Information card

The asylum screening interview is the first interview that takes place after you have claimed asylum.

For most people, this interview should be quite short – usually around 30 minutes to two hours. For others, however, it might take longer depending on the complexity of their case. 

It used to be the case that people would claim asylum and have their screening interview very soon afterwards. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Most people wait many months, and even more than a year for their screening interview. This is due to delays by the Home Office in making asylum decisions.

In the screening interview, you will be asked some basic questions, such as your name, your date of birth, your nationality, your ethnicity, your religion, and about your family members.

You will be asked to say briefly why you have come to the UK and why you are claiming asylum. This should only be a brief series of questions, as you will be asked about this in much more detail in your substantive (big) interview.

An important part of your screening interview will be about your journey to the UK. One of the reasons you are asked questions about this is to determine whether the UK is responsible for considering your asylum claim. You will be asked whether you have claimed asylum or been granted refugee status in any other country; and if you passed through other countries, why you did not apply for asylum there.

Most people do not have the chance to meet with a lawyer before their screening interview. 

Some people may have experienced sexual violence, domestic violence or torture. It is usually best to disclose this at the earliest opportunity – which for most people is at their screening interview – although you will not be required to discuss such issues in depth at this stage.

You will be provided with an interpreter for this interview if you need one.

Read more in the Screening Interview section of the Right to Remain Toolkit.

Now read the problem cards below. Discuss with a friend (or have a think if you’re doing this alone) what you might be able to do in this situation. When you have finished, click to reveal a suggested action.

⚠️ Problem card

You have experienced sexual violence, domestic violence or torture and do not wish to discuss this with someone you don’t know at your screening interview.

  • Click to show action…

    You are not required to discuss anything you do not wish to.

    However, if you do not mention something that is central to your case at the earliest possibility, the Home Office may challenge claims related to violence or abuse later as not being “credible” (truthful). It is possible – but not easy – to rectify this with strong evidence as to vulnerability, shame and other difficult feelings related to surviving this kind of trauma.

    If you are still experiencing sexual or domestic violence, you may wish to tell someone at the Home Office and ask for contact details for support or, if necessary or possible, a domestic violence refuge.

⚠️ Problem card

After the interview, you do not receive the written transcript of your interview. 

  • Click to show action…

    The screening interview is not audio-recorded, unlike the longer substantive asylum interview.

    The Home Office interviewer will take notes on a screening interview form during the interview. It is very important that you get a copy of this screening interview record – it is your right. If you are not automatically given this written record (sometimes called a transcript) after the interview, you must email the Home Office to ask for it to be sent to you. The email address you should contact is this one: asylumcentralcommunicationshub@homeoffice.gov.uk

    You should review the written transcript with a trusted friend or supporter if you do not have a lawyer, to check that what the interviewer noted down is accurate. If it is not, you should raise this (in a letter) to the Home Office at the earliest opportunity.

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