Refugees: no more automatic settlement after 5 years

Since 2005 and until today refugees were eligible for five year limited leave, and at the end of that period the settlement would be granted them automatically.

Home Office is introducing ‘safe return reviews’. This means that when a refugee’s temporary stay of protection in the UK comes to an end, or if there is a clear improvement in the conditions of their own country, Home Office will review their need for protection. If their reason for asylum no longer exists and it is now safe for them to return, they will be returned to their home country rather than offered settlement in the UK. The new policy will affect all refugee settlement applications.