In March 2026, the Home Secretary announced the biggest change in refugee protection in decades. Instead of being able to apply for settlement after five years, refugees are now forced to renew their status every 30 months. 

People escaping war and persecution need security and safety. That is the very purpose of our protection system. The change in the UK asylum system will leave refugees in a state of ongoing uncertainty and anxiety about their future, despite having been recognised as needing safety. By forcing people to live in constant limbo, their mental health, financial stability and social integration will be profoundly harmed.

Asylum Aid is challenging this unfair and unjust stripping of protection and we need your support.

Fighting this unprecedented shake-up in refugee status

Until now, when someone was recognised as a refugee in the UK, they would gain protection for five years, and could then apply for indefinite leave to remain (also known as ‘permanent settlement’). The recent changes introduced by the government in March means that refugees are now put on a ‘Core Protection’ route and required to renew their status every 30 months.

“Our clients already wait months, often years, for a decision on their asylum claim. When they finally receive protection, people can begin to rebuild their lives after suffering unimaginable trauma. This reduction in status will severely limit recovery leaving refugees at risk of exploitation, impede community relations and cause further administrative burdens in an already backlogged asylum system.” Piya Muqit, Executive Director

This erosion of refugee protection is just the beginning. The government also intends to bring in reforms which will mean that recognised refugees and those with humanitarian protection may have to wait up 20 years – renewing this ‘core protection’ status up to eight times - before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain and finally have security.

One client told us: “A shorter period of leave makes it harder to plan and build a stable life in the UK for myself and my child. Having to go through the review process again after only 30 months, despite already being recognized as deserving protection, is not easy and creates additional mental pressure and sense of instability.”

We know firsthand from our legal expertise and in-depth work with people seeking protection, and from conversations with our clients and partners, that the consequences of the change in leave to 30 months are, and will be, devastating. 

Rather than deterring people fleeing persecution from coming to the UK, this change will:

• Trap people recognised as needing protection in long-term limbo
• Significantly harm refugees' mental health
• Severely damage integration and people’s ability to rebuild lives
• Impact the recovery of survivors of torture and trafficking

Your support will make a difference

Asylum Aid are fighting to have these changes to the immigration rules withdrawn and for refugees’ entitlement to an initial 5 years’ leave to remain to continue. This is the biggest challenge to refugee protection in decades, and we need your support to win.

If you’re able to donate, or share to someone who you think could, we would be incredibly grateful. We're extremely grateful to Freshfields for all their pro bono support on this challenge. Thank you for standing with refugees and defending their rights to safety and security.