Best Asylum Lawyers in Aberdeen

About Asylum Law in Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Asylum is a protection granted by the United Kingdom to people who cannot return to their home country because they face a real risk of persecution. In the UK, asylum and immigration are reserved matters decided by the Home Office through UK Visas and Immigration. The rules and processes are the same across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. People dispersed to Aberdeen will usually interact with local public services in Scotland while their asylum case is handled by the Home Office. Screening and substantive interviews, appeals, and reporting appointments may take place outside Aberdeen, often in Glasgow. Accommodation and basic living support for asylum seekers are arranged under UK law through contracted providers in Scotland.

If you receive refugee status or humanitarian protection, you can settle and work in the UK. If your claim is refused, you may have appeal rights. Scotland has its own systems for health, education, and social care, which apply to asylum seekers while their claim is pending. Because policy and practice change frequently, it is wise to obtain current legal advice as early as possible.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Asylum cases turn on credibility, evidence, and complex legal tests. A lawyer can help you prepare a clear account of what happened, gather corroborating evidence, and apply country guidance case law to your circumstances. Legal help is especially important if you have experienced trauma, cannot easily access documents from abroad, or need an interpreter.

You may need a lawyer if you are preparing for a substantive asylum interview, seeking asylum support for accommodation and money, facing an age assessment as an unaccompanied child, detained at an immigration removal centre, given a refusal and need to appeal, submitting a fresh claim after new evidence arises, or worried about third country inadmissibility rules. A regulated adviser can also help with immigration bail, reporting conditions, and family reunion after you receive refugee status.

Local Laws Overview

Core asylum rules are set by UK legislation and the Immigration Rules. Key points include the screening interview after you claim asylum, a later substantive interview, and a Home Office decision that may be appealed to the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber. In Scotland, tribunal hearings are commonly listed in Glasgow. Further appeals go to the Upper Tribunal. Judicial review in Scotland is heard in the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Support and accommodation are provided under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Section 95 support is for people with a pending claim who are destitute. Section 98 allows for initial accommodation in urgent cases. Section 4 support may be available to some refused asylum seekers who meet strict conditions. Payments are made via an ASPEN card. In Scotland, accommodation for asylum seekers is arranged by a Home Office contractor, currently Mears Group, and many people are dispersed to Aberdeen and the surrounding area.

Healthcare is devolved. In Scotland, asylum seekers are entitled to free NHS care, including GP registration, prescriptions, and hospital treatment. In Aberdeen this is delivered by NHS Grampian. Children must be provided with school education by the local authority. English classes may be available through colleges and community providers. Asylum seekers can apply for permission to work if their claim has been pending for more than 12 months through no fault of their own and only in roles on the Shortage Occupation List.

Immigration advice in Scotland must be provided by a regulated professional. This includes solicitors regulated by the Law Society of Scotland and immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. Legal aid for asylum and immigration matters is administered by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, subject to financial eligibility and merits tests.

Some people in North East Scotland must travel to Glasgow for reporting, interviews, or tribunal hearings. If you receive asylum support, you can usually request help with necessary travel costs. Immigration detention in Scotland takes place at Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre in South Lanarkshire, with tribunal video links sometimes used for detained cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I claim asylum if I am in Aberdeen?

You must tell the Home Office as soon as possible that you want to claim asylum. Most people do this at a designated intake or reporting location set by the Home Office. In Scotland, initial steps and interviews are often arranged in Glasgow. If you are already supported in Aberdeen, your accommodation provider or a legal adviser can help you contact the Home Office to arrange an appointment.

What happens at the screening interview and what should I bring?

The screening interview is a short appointment where the Home Office records your identity, travel route, basic family details, and a brief outline of why you need protection. Bring any identity documents you have, proof of address, medical information, and details of family members in the UK. If you need an interpreter, you should ask in advance. You will be given an asylum registration card after screening.

Will I get housing and financial support while I wait?

If you are destitute, you can apply for asylum support. This can include accommodation and a weekly allowance on an ASPEN card. In Scotland, the contractor arranges accommodation in dispersal areas such as Aberdeen. If you have special needs or a disability, make sure this is documented so that appropriate housing or adjustments can be considered.

Can I work while my claim is pending?

Asylum seekers are not usually allowed to work. You can apply for permission to work if you have been waiting more than 12 months for a decision and the delay is not your fault. If granted, you can only work in jobs on the UK Shortage Occupation List. Volunteering is permitted and can help you gain experience and community connections.

Where will my asylum interview and appeal take place?

The substantive asylum interview and any tribunal hearings for people living in Aberdeen are commonly arranged in Glasgow. The Home Office will give you details of time and place. If you face barriers to travel, tell your lawyer or accommodation provider quickly so arrangements or assistance with travel can be considered.

What healthcare can I access in Aberdeen as an asylum seeker?

You are entitled to free NHS care in Scotland. Register with a GP as soon as possible. Hospital care, maternity services, mental health support, and prescriptions are free. If you have experienced trauma, ask your GP about specialist services or referrals available in the area.

What happens if my claim is refused?

The refusal letter explains the reasons and whether you can appeal. In many cases you have a short deadline to lodge an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. A lawyer can advise on the merits of appeal, new evidence, and grounds of challenge. If you cannot appeal, legal advice is still important because there may be options such as a fresh claim based on new evidence or a judicial review of procedural errors.

How can my family join me if I am granted refugee status or humanitarian protection?

Refugees and people with humanitarian protection can apply for family reunion for qualifying family members, usually a partner and children under 18, under specific immigration rules. Evidence of the relationship and identity is required. Legal help can make the process smoother and ensure the correct forms and documents are submitted.

What if I am an unaccompanied child or my age is disputed?

Unaccompanied children are supported by the local authority under Scottish child protection law. If your age is in doubt, social work may conduct an age assessment. You have rights during that process, including access to an independent advocate and legal advice. The outcome can be challenged if it is not supported by evidence or fair procedure.

How long will the asylum process take and how do I get updates?

Timeframes vary widely depending on your case and Home Office workloads. Some cases are decided in months, others take longer. Keep your contact details up to date, check your post regularly, and attend all reporting and interview appointments. Your lawyer can request updates and advise you on any delays or additional evidence that could help.

Additional Resources

UK Visas and Immigration Home Office - the government body that registers claims, conducts interviews, and makes asylum decisions.

First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber Scotland - hears appeals against many Home Office decisions, commonly sitting in Glasgow.

Scottish Legal Aid Board - administers legal aid funding for eligible asylum and immigration cases in Scotland.

Law Society of Scotland - regulates solicitors and provides a find a solicitor service to locate regulated immigration and asylum practitioners.

Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner - regulates non solicitor immigration advisers across the UK.

Aberdeen City Council - provides education for children, social work, and local integration support for people granted status.

NHS Grampian - delivers healthcare services in Aberdeen, including GP and hospital care for asylum seekers.

Scottish Refugee Council - national charity offering advice and integration support to refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland.

British Red Cross Refugee Support Scotland - provides practical and emotional support, including family tracing and orientation services.

Grampian Regional Equality Council - community organisation in North East Scotland offering advocacy and support on equality and inclusion matters.

Citizens Advice Scotland and local Citizens Advice in Aberdeen - independent advice on benefits, housing, and rights that may affect refugees and people with leave to remain.

JustRight Scotland and other specialist charities - offer rights based legal support in Scotland, including immigration and asylum related services.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in Aberdeen, start by gathering key documents. Bring any passports or identity documents, birth or marriage certificates, police or medical reports, proof of membership of political or social groups, and any correspondence from the Home Office. Write a clear timeline of events and reasons you fear return. If documents are not available, do not delay seeking advice.

Contact a regulated immigration solicitor or OISC adviser with asylum experience. Ask whether they accept legal aid and whether you qualify for funding from the Scottish Legal Aid Board. If you already receive asylum support, tell your accommodation provider that you are seeking legal advice so they can assist with appointments and travel. If you need an interpreter, request one when booking.

Attend all Home Office reporting and interview appointments. If you cannot attend due to illness, caring responsibilities, or travel problems, inform the Home Office and your lawyer immediately and provide evidence. Keep copies of everything you submit and everything you receive. Tell your lawyer promptly about any change of address, phone number, or health condition.

If you receive a refusal, seek urgent legal advice because appeal deadlines are short. If you are granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, speak to an adviser about housing, benefits, work, English classes, and family reunion. Community organisations in Aberdeen and national charities can help with integration and practical support while you settle.

Policies change frequently. Stay in contact with your legal representative, follow their guidance, and use trusted local services in Aberdeen to get accurate, up to date information about your rights and options.