Immigration jargon
This content applies to England only.
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This page explains what some of the most common terms used in immigration and asylum claims mean.
Accommodation providers
The UK Border Agency has contracts with a number of accommodation providers who manage landlords in different dispersal regions.
Dependant
A dependant generally means the husband, wife, partner or child of the asylum applicant. However, it can also mean children living as part of the asylum applicant's household.
Discretionary leave
A status which the Home Office can grant an asylum seeker who does not qualify for refugee status or humanitarian protection, when there are other strong reasons why he or she needs to stay in the UK for a temporary period.
Emergency accommodation
Temporary housing provided by the UK Border Agency(UKBA) while your application is being processed. Emergency accommodation is not the same as UKBA accommodation. It is provided while you are waiting for your asylum application to be processed.
Home Office
This is the Government department that deals with justice and home affairs, including asylum and immigration.
Homelessness Unit
This is the department of the local council that deals with homelessness and has duties to help homeless people in some circumstances.
Housing benefit
This is money that is paid by local councils to help people who are not working or those on a low income with their rent payments. It does not cover costs other than rent. Most asylum seekers and people who have been abroad for a long period of time will not be eligible for housing benefit.
Humanitarian protection
This is a temporary protection for asylum seekers who are not classed as refugees but are allowed to remain in the UK on human rights grounds.
Indefinite leave to remain
This status is given when you have been granted leave to remain in the UK but are not subject under immigration law to any conditions or restrictions on your period of stay.
Induction centre
A residential centre where asylum seekers are briefed and assisted, while their NASS applications are being processed.
Judicial review
This is where the High Court examines whether a public body has correctly applied the law in reaching its decision (in this case an asylum decision). Judicial review may be the only way of challenging an immigration refusal where there is no right of appeal.
Local councils (also known as local authorities)
Authorities working within the powers laid down in various Acts of Parliament. Local councils enforce law and provide services through their various departments (ie housing, social services) within districts they represent.
National Asylum Support Service (NASS)
The department of the UK government which previously dealt with asylum support.
One Stop Service
A service run by voluntary organisations, such as the Refugee Council, which can help you with your application for asylum support and any queries you have about the asylum process.
Refugee status
A status given to an asylum seeker who is considered by the Home Office to come within the definition of refugee, as described in the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees. A person with refugee status has indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Section 4 support (sometimes called 'hard cases' support)
This is a special form of support for people whose asylum applications have failed and they've reached the end of the application process, but who cannot be returned to their country of origin.
Social services
A local council department that deals with issues of care and welfare.
UK Border Agency
The Home Office department responsible for all immigration and
asylum issues. UKBA provides asylum support (previously provided by the
National Asylum Support Service, known as NASS).
