Recently, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reaffirmed his commitment to creating safe and legal entry points for people wishing to enter the UK. It is part of a plan to stop unauthorised immigration.

With this approach, it will be possible for people to enter the nation without taking unnecessary risks. There are concerns about the nature of these potential routes because the specifics of these proposals are still unknown.

The Reality of Current Routes

At the moment, there are no secure and authorised routes to the UK that are only intended for those who want to seek asylum there. The UK government has stated once again that there are no possibilities for obtaining a visa for this particular use.

The procedure for requesting asylum requires physical presence within the boundaries of the UK. Plus, the newly passed Illegal Migration Act serves as additional evidence of this position. According to this law, people who enter the UK illegally are not eligible to file requests for asylum.

Exploring Established Safe Routes

While the idea of safe and legal pathways for asylum seekers is emphasised in policy talks, the UK already offers protective and humanitarian options for those who are most in need. The fact that these methods already exist demonstrates the nation's dedication to providing help within a legal framework.

People who have been classified as refugees by the UNHCR are given priority in the UK's current resettlement programmes. The Home Office is informed of these people for review. In contrast to conventional asylum requests, this procedure acknowledges a person's refugee status before they arrive in the UK.

Through these programmes, which work with international organisations, some 28,000 refugees have been relocated to the UK since 2015. People from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Hong Kong can also enrol in specialised programmes. 

For those whose close relatives have already received protection in the UK, a family reunion option has also been established. These pathways allow someone to enter the UK legitimately and stay there without having to apply for asylum first.

The government provided paths through these programmes to about 481,804 people between 2015 and 2022. Notably, the diversity of these activities is shown by the fact that over half of these people were from Ukraine.

FAQS

What exactly is the Illegal Migration Act and how does it affect requests for asylum?

Due to the newly passed Illegal Migration Act, anyone who enters the UK illegally, such as by small boats navigating the English Channel, is not eligible to submit asylum claims. This demonstrates how hard the administration is working to control unauthorised access.

Can anyone submit an application for asylum in the UK without being present there in person?

No, to apply for asylum, a person must be physically present in the UK. There are no established legal procedures for requesting asylum from outside the UK.