Screening Interview Questions

Updated: 12 April 2026

In short

The screening is the first interview after claiming asylum. Conducted by Home Office, free interpreter provided. Takes 30 min — 2 hours. Not audio-recorded. 52 questions across 7 parts. Standard guidance from Home Office and charity legal teams — answer honestly and briefly; details come at the substantive interview.

Questions

7 parts

1-2 h

Duration

usually 30-60 min

80,000+

Appeals backlog

Dec 2025

413 d

Avg decision time

improving

✅

"I don't know" is usually safer than guessing — inaccuracies are commonly used against the applicant in refusal decisions.

📋

ALL reasons for asylum are typically mentioned at screening — even briefly. Reasons not raised at screening complicate the case later (per Right to Remain and Refugee Council guidance).

🗣️

If the interpreter is poor — applicants have the right to raise this with the interviewer and request that it be recorded.

📄

Request a copy of the record (screening record). This is your right. If not given — email the Home Office.

All 52 Questions

Initial Contact and Asylum Registration Questionnaire

Personal Details and Identity

21 ▾

1.1

Full name (first name(s) and SURNAME)?

1.2

Date of birth?

1.3

Have you ever used any other names or dates of birth?

1.4

Your gender?

1.5

Your nationality?

1.6

Do you hold any other nationalities?

1.7

Do you have any documents proving your identity?

If you have a passport or travel document — state the document number.

1.8

Where is your passport?

1.9

Country and city of birth?

1.10

Your main language and dialect?

1.11

What other languages and dialects do you know?

1.12

Your religion (including denomination)?

1.13

Your race / ethnicity / tribal group?

1.14

Your occupation in your country of origin?

1.15

Do you have somewhere to live while your asylum claim is being considered?

1.16

Do you feel safe in your accommodation?

1.17

Your contact phone number and email address?

⚠️ Important! ALL correspondence about your case — decisions, interview invitations, notifications — will be sent to this email and phone. If your details change — notify the Home Office immediately.

1.18

Provide details of dependants included in your asylum claim.

A dependant is an accompanying spouse/partner (cohabiting 2+ years) and children under 18. State: name, date of birth, nationality and relationship.

1.19

Is the child at risk if returned to the country of origin? If so — is the risk the same as yours, or different?

1.20

Provide details of your spouse/partner and children NOT included in the asylum claim.

1.21

Are there compelling family reasons for children who are not yours to join you if status is granted?

Health / Special Needs

6 ▾

2.1

Do you have any medical conditions, disabilities, infectious diseases, or medications you are taking?

2.2

Are you pregnant?

if applicable

2.3

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your physical or mental health?

2.4

Do any of your dependants under 18 have any medical conditions, disabilities, or infectious diseases?

2.5

Have you ever been exploited, or do you have reason to believe you were going to be exploited?

Includes forced prostitution, sexual exploitation, forced labour, or being made to commit crimes.

2.6

What level of education have you received?

Travel and Third Country

11 ▾

3.1

Why did you come to the United Kingdom?

3.2

Have you been fingerprinted in any country, including your own?

Where, when (month/year) and why (visa, arrest, asylum claim)?

3.3

Have you applied for asylum in any other country?

If yes — where, when, result, case number, documents?

3.4

Describe your route to the United Kingdom.

Date of departure, origin, each transit country, transport and documents, who organised the journey, length of stay, date of arrival in UK.

3.5

Do you have any evidence of your stay in the countries mentioned?

Tickets, receipts, letters from authorities or organisations?

3.6

It appears you had an opportunity to claim asylum on your way to the UK. Why didn't you?

3.7

If the UK considers one of the transit countries safe for you — are there reasons why you should not be returned there?

3.8

Have you been to any of the mentioned countries before?

Purpose of visit, when, how long?

3.9

Apart from the countries listed, have you been to any other countries?

3.10

Do you have any close relatives in the UK or another European country?

3.11

Do you have any close relatives in any other countries not previously mentioned?

Grounds for Your Asylum Claim ⭐

2 ▾

This is the key part of the interview. Here the applicant explains why they cannot return. Everything depends on the answer to question 4.1 — standard preparation with a solicitor centres on facts and chronology.

4.1

Briefly explain ALL reasons why you cannot return to your country.

What are you afraid of? Who are you afraid of? Why? When did it happen?

💡 Common practice: answers are usually brief but include ALL reasons. Details — at the substantive interview.

4.2

Do you have a preference regarding the gender of the interviewer at your substantive interview?

You can request the interviewer and interpreter to be of a specific gender. Especially relevant for cases involving violence.

Criminal Record and Security

7 ▾

5.1

Have you ever worked in: the judiciary, media, government bodies, public administration, security organisations, or scientific research?

5.2

Have you served in the armed forces?

If yes — did you take part in combat? When, where, what was your role?

5.3

Have you ever been charged with or committed an offence in any country (including traffic offences)?

5.4

Have you ever been detained in the UK or any other country?

5.5

Have you ever been associated with political, religious, armed, or violent organisations?

5.6

Have you ever said or written anything that glorifies violence or incites crime?

5.7

Have you ever been involved in terrorism, war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, or human rights violations?

Suitability for Detention

3 ▾

6.1

Are there any reasons why you should not be detained while your claim is being considered?

Personal circumstances, health, special needs or other factors.

6.2

Do you have any documents or evidence to submit in support of your asylum claim?

6.3

Do you intend to obtain additional documents from your country?

If yes — how long will it take and in what language are they?

Conclusion and Declaration

2 ▾

7.1

Did you understand all the questions that were asked?

7.2

Would you like to add or change anything in your answers?

Videos

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6 min

How to claim asylum: complete guide

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Frequently asked questions

What is the screening interview?

The first interview after submitting your asylum claim. Conducted by a Home Office official (Border Force or caseworker). The purpose is to collect basic information about you, your journey, and your reasons for asylum. This is NOT the main interview — you will give details later at the substantive interview.

Where does the screening take place?

If you claimed asylum at the port of entry — right there. If you claim after entering the UK — at the Screening Unit, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon CR9 2BY. Waiting time for a screening appointment: from a few weeks to over a year.

Can I bring someone with me?

A free interpreter is provided. You can request the interpreter's gender. If the interpreter is poor — you MUST tell the interviewer and ask them to record it. In exceptional cases, you can bring a support person (friend, organisation representative — NOT a family member), but you must request this in advance.

Is the screening audio-recorded?

No. Unlike the substantive interview, the screening is NOT audio-recorded. The interviewer fills in a form. You have the right to a copy of the screening record — if not given automatically, request it by email.

How should I prepare?

Common practice from charity legal teams (Right to Remain, Refugee Council): answer honestly and briefly; "I don't know" is usually safer than guessing; mention ALL reasons for asylum even briefly (omitted reasons complicate the case later); bring documents — passport, ID, tickets, medical certificates. Advice for your specific case — from a regulated solicitor.

What happens after the screening?

You receive an ARC card (proof of your claim). You may be offered accommodation (Section 95/98). Waiting time for the substantive interview: weeks to months. Average time to a decision: ~413 days (2024). Appeals backlog: 80,000+ cases (Dec 2025).

Sources: gov.uk · Claim asylum gov.uk · Asylum interview policy UK Home Office UNHCR · Asylum & migration Updated 24 Apr 2026

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