How long to wait for asylum support
A decision on Section 95 usually takes days to weeks if your documents are complete. The asylum claim itself takes much longer: at the end of 2025 about 49% of people waited more than 6 months. This is normal, not your fault. On this page — real timelines and what to do if it's delayed.
This does not mean nothing can be done. You can speed up the process through formal escalation (SAR, pre-action letter). But do not expect miracles: the system is overloaded.
Two different timelines — do not confuse them
Timeline: days to weeks if documents are complete.
What slows it down: RFI letter (request for further information) — add 2–4 weeks for each round. Complex cases (S4, children, medical).
Good news: S95 is decided faster than the asylum claim itself — it is a separate process.
Timeline: 6–18 months on average. Many wait 24+ months.
Backlog: at the end of 2025 — about 49,000 initial applications in the queue (Migration Observatory).
49% of people wait more than 6 months just for the initial decision.
If you are refused — an appeal adds another 6–12 months.
So S95 is not "temporary for a couple of weeks", but real multi-month support while your case continues.
What slows down your Section 95 decision
After ASF1, the Home Office often asks for additional information: bank statements, P45, explanations of transfers. Each round = 2–4 weeks delay. Do not ignore it — otherwise you will be refused.
The most common reason for refusal. If you did not attach evidence for at least one of the 14 sections — they will send it back for rework.
Takes longer to review. Nothing you can do — be patient.
After summer months and during Home Office holidays, queues are longer.
What to do if it's delayed
If more than 4 weeks have passed without a decision on S95, or 9 months without an initial decision on asylum — there are escalation tools.
0808 801 0503 — they can check the status of your case + escalate. The simplest first step. Free.
Request all data about you from the Home Office. Free. Response within 1 month. Useful to:
• Find out what the Home Office has about you
• Find mistakes in the data
• Understand what stage your case is at
Submit: gov.uk → personal data requests
A legal letter from your solicitor to the Home Office warning about Judicial Review if they do not make a decision within a reasonable time. Often leads to a decision without going to court — the Home Office reacts quickly to the threat of JR.
You need a solicitor: where to find a free one →
Filing a claim in the High Court asking to review a decision / lack of decision. Difficult, expensive without Legal Aid. Only through a solicitor. If the pre-action letter did not work — next step.
If you wait >12 months — you can apply for work permission
Narrow exception:
- Only work from the Immigration Salary List (narrow list of shortage occupations)
- Not any job — specific roles
- Apply through gov.uk → "Apply for permission to work as an asylum seeker"
What NOT to do while waiting
- Do not work without permission — from 27 March 2026 this is a clear reason to withdraw S95/S98
- Do not leave your housing without agreement — you will lose S98 and harm S95
- Do not ignore RFI letters — respond on time (7–10 working days)
- Do not trust "helpers" who take money — Legal Aid should be free
- Do not panic if there is silence for 6+ months — this, unfortunately, is normal; do a SAR
Frequently asked questions
How long does it usually take to get a decision on Section 95?
If your documents are complete — a few days or weeks. If you received an RFI letter (request for further information) — add 2–4 weeks for each round of correspondence. The decision itself is faster than the asylum claim.
How long does it take to get a decision on the asylum claim?
At the end of 2025 — 49,000 applications in the backlog. 49% of people waited more than 6 months for an initial decision. Many wait 12+ months. This is a separate process from Section 95 — even if you get S95, the asylum decision continues at its own pace.
What to do if it's delayed — more than 4 weeks without a decision on S95?
1) Call Migrant Help — they can check the status. 2) SAR (Subject Access Request) — to find out what is in your file. 3) Pre-action protocol letter through a solicitor. 4) Judicial Review (last resort).
What is SAR and how long does it take?
Subject Access Request — a request for all data about you from the Home Office. Free. The law requires a response within 1 month (sometimes longer). Useful to understand what they know / don't know about you + find mistakes.
What is a pre-action protocol letter?
A legal letter from your solicitor to the Home Office warning about Judicial Review if they do not respond / make a decision within a reasonable time. Often leads to a decision without going to court.
What is Judicial Review (JR)?
Filing a claim in the High Court asking to review a Home Office decision (or lack of decision). Difficult and expensive without Civil Legal Aid. Usually a last resort when other escalation routes do not work.