Everything You Need to Know About an Asylum Interview and How to Behave During It

Most asylum seekers have nowhere to go. Lots of them are banished from their countries without having any other option in life. This is why asylum interviews are so important as something that can completely change their luck.

But not everyone will be granted asylum. There are lots of legal hoops and issues you will have to address along the way and each one of them may present a big obstacle. During any point of the interview (or after that) you might get rejected so every word you say carries a certain weight.

In this article, we will point out some of the most important things you need to know and obstacles that might await you during the process. Read on!

• How much does a case last?

On average, asylum case processing time is around 721 days. This is an incredibly long period and you will have to be very patient during it. The most important thing that a seeker should keep in mind is not to think about the process at all, eliminate it from memory and continue living your life as if nothing has happened. Otherwise, you will have to deal with lots of stress until you find out whether or not you received an asylum.

• What is the biggest mistake I can make?

Probably lying. There is nothing worse than lying to officers as they will not only take this as a negative sign, but they might also decide that you’re not trustworthy and they might decline all other documents you have provided so far. Loss of trust cannot be repaired so be careful as to what you’re doing. If you’re uncertain regarding a situation, it is much better to answer with “I don’t know” or to explain as much as you know that to claim something that isn’t true.

• Dealing with the forms

One of the most common mistakes is not filling the forms properly. Like any other governmental application or form, it is really important that you provide as much info as possible. Some of these things are mandatory and you cannot proceed without them. Given how many people get rejected for asylum, it would be best not to test your luck but instead give as many information as possible. This would also help your case, making it more transparent. It might also hasten the whole process.

• Get a lawyer

It is very important to have an asylum lawyer who will represent you throughout. Even though these initial tips that we provided are awesome, it is much better to rely on a person with experience; someone who knows asylum officers and can give you the best tip possible depending on a situation. Price is usually the best way to tell if someone is good or not. Still, it doesn’t have to be a determining factor. You can also consult with your friends and family and ask them for their own lawyer. This is usually the easiest and least risky option.