Child Refugee advice needed

[Did187]

Hi,

I was just wondering if someone would be able to help me with some questions I have:

-If a child (under 18) was coming over to the uk in order to claim asylum, would I be correct in thinking that they will need to first make their way to the screening unit in Croydon? If so, what would be the next steps? I know children are not supposed to be detained, but in reality this does happen. Are they either detained or handed over to social services, who house them with a family/residential home whilst their application is considered?

-If the application is approved, are they then granted permission to remain in the uk, just as an adult application, then apply for settle indefinitely once 5 years have passed?

-Also, at what point are you officially a citizen? Is it once you are granted ILR?

Appreciate all the help I can get.

Many thanks

[Casa]

Hi,

I was just wondering if someone would be able to help me with some questions I have:

-If a child (under 18) was coming over to the uk in order to claim asylum, would I be correct in thinking that they will need to first make their way to the screening unit in Croydon? If so, what would be the next steps? I know children are not supposed to be detained, but in reality this does happen. Are they either detained or handed over to social services, who house them with a family/residential home whilst their application is considered?

-If the application is approved, are they then granted permission to remain in the uk, just as an adult application, then apply for settle indefinitely once 5 years have passed?

-Also, at what point are you officially a citizen? Is it once you are granted ILR?

Appreciate all the help I can get.

Many thanks

I can answer your last question. ILR grants permanent residence, not British citizenship.

[Did187]

Hi,

I was just wondering if someone would be able to help me with some questions I have:

-If a child (under 18) was coming over to the uk in order to claim asylum, would I be correct in thinking that they will need to first make their way to the screening unit in Croydon? If so, what would be the next steps? I know children are not supposed to be detained, but in reality this does happen. Are they either detained or handed over to social services, who house them with a family/residential home whilst their application is considered?

-If the application is approved, are they then granted permission to remain in the uk, just as an adult application, then apply for settle indefinitely once 5 years have passed?

-Also, at what point are you officially a citizen? Is it once you are granted ILR?

Appreciate all the help I can get.

Many thanks

I can answer your last question. ILR grants permanent residence, not British citizenship.

Thank you, so is there no available route from underage refugee to citizenship? Through naturalisation?

[Casa]

Eventually. 12 months after being granted ILR assuming they meet all the standard requirements.

[Did187]

Eventually. 12 months after being granted ILR assuming they meet all the standard requirements.

Thank you again!

And if the child, for example, was 15 when they arrived, and they were granted permission to stay in the country on a refugee basis (through social services, if this is how it is organised..?) until they were 18, and at which time they could apply to remain for 5 years, would they be able to apply for ILR at the age of 20, or would the 5 years start from when they turn 18?

Sorry for the questions, it does seem fairly hard to find the answers online.

[Casa]

From the date the leave to remain has been granted.

[Did187]

From the date the leave to remain has been granted.

The 12 months from that date would be when you are eligible to apply for Citizenship, but at what point are the 5 years (that must pass before you can apply for ILR) calculated from? The date they arrive in the country, or the date they turn 18?

[CR001]

From the date the leave to remain has been granted.

The 12 months from that date would be when you are eligible to apply for Citizenship, but at what point are the 5 years (that must pass before you can apply for ILR) calculated from? The date they arrive in the country, or the date they turn 18?

From the date that HO grant/approve Leave to Remain if their refugee claim is successful. To qualify for ILR, you must have 5 years of legal residence, calculated from the date of visa issued in the UK.

Turning 18 has nothing to do with it.