LONDON (The COW News Digital) The United Kingdom has announced major changes to its asylum policy, introducing stricter rules for political asylum seekers and extending the wait for permanent residency to 20 years. Under the new regulations, individuals whose asylum applications fail will face immediate deportation.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood addressed Parliament, explaining that fundamental reforms are being implemented in the political asylum system. “Asylum seekers will now be granted temporary residence in the UK. Their status will be reviewed after 30 months, rather than the previous five years,” she said. If the applicant’s home country is deemed safe, the asylum seeker will be returned.
Under the revised rules, asylum seekers are allowed only a single appeal. If this appeal is rejected, deportation will be enforced. The government emphasized that family life rights will only apply to those living with close relatives, marking a significant shift in protections for asylum seekers.
The reforms also remove guaranteed housing and weekly allowances for asylum seekers. Additionally, the pathway to permanent residency has been dramatically extended: those seeking long-term residence must now wait 20 years, up from the previous five-year requirement.
Minister Mahmood framed the changes as a necessary adjustment to balance the UK’s humanitarian obligations with the need to control immigration. “These reforms will ensure that the asylum system is fair, sustainable, and focused on those in genuine need,” she added.
The policy shift comes in the context of increasing asylum applications in the UK. Over the past four years, approximately 400,000 people have sought asylum in the country, placing pressure on public services and raising debates on immigration management.
Critics have warned that the new measures could leave many vulnerable individuals in prolonged uncertainty and hardship. Human rights advocates argue that reducing financial support and restricting family reunification may exacerbate social and psychological challenges for asylum seekers.
The government, however, insists that the reforms will prioritize those with legitimate claims while discouraging unfounded applications. The UK Home Office has stated that temporary protection will allow authorities to assess risks accurately and ensure resources are focused on high-priority cases.
With these changes, the UK joins a growing number of countries tightening asylum regulations, emphasizing security, and controlling immigration flows while reshaping long-term residency pathways for refugees.
