Major Shift in UK Asylum Policy: Refugee Status to Become Temporary

The United Kingdom has decided to overhaul its asylum policy, making refugee status temporary and extending the wait time for permanent residency to 20 years, four times longer than before. This marks the country’s most significant asylum reform in recent history, according to a report by Reuters.

The Labour government is tightening its immigration measures, with a particular focus on stopping illegal entry via small boats crossing from France. Growing public support for Reform UK has also put political pressure on the government over its immigration stance.

In a statement released Saturday night, the Home Office said it would remove the legal obligation to provide accommodation, weekly allowances, and other support to asylum seekers. Individuals who are capable of working but refuse to do so, or those who break the law, will no longer be eligible for such assistance. Priority will be given to people who contribute to the economy and local communities.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that refugee protections will now be temporary, and status can be withdrawn if their home countries are deemed “safe.” She noted that the UK’s current system is more generous than that of most European nations, where permanent residency is almost automatic after five years. Under the new rules, refugee status will be reviewed every two and a half years, and the path to permanent residency will take up to 20 years.

Mahmood added that she would outline the changes in detail on Monday, including issues relating to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects family life. The government argues that this provision is being used in ways that hinder deportation efforts.

The government’s tough stance has drawn growing criticism. More than a hundred UK charities have written to Mahmood, urging her to stop using migrants as “scapegoats,” arguing that such policies fuel racism and violence.

Public opinion surveys show that immigration has overtaken economic concerns as the top issue for British voters. Recent months have also seen protests over the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels.

According to the latest figures, 109,343 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year leading up to March 2025—17% higher than the previous year, surpassing the record set in 2002.

Mahmood said Britain should expand “safe and legal” routes for people fleeing danger.

The Home Office noted that the UK’s reforms follow, and in some areas surpass, the policies of countries like Denmark, where refugee status is also temporary, assistance is conditional, and integration into society is expected. In Denmark, temporary residence is usually granted for two years, after which applicants must reapply. Refugees can be returned if their home country is considered “safe.” Citizenship pathways have also become longer. Denmark’s strict policies have resulted in the lowest number of asylum applications in 40 years, with 95% of rejected applicants being deported.

However, these measures have faced sharp criticism. Human rights organizations argue that such policies create an anti-immigrant environment and leave refugees in long-term uncertainty.

The UK’s Refugee Council said that refugees fleeing danger do not compare asylum systems between countries—they come to Britain because of family ties, knowledge of the English language, or existing connections, which help them rebuild their lives.