Nationals of EU and EEA countries, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand may be invited to one combined asylum interview, according to the booklet updated on 28 September 2026.
Key facts
- Who: Asylum claimants who are nationals of an EU country, an EEA country, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia or New Zealand
- From: Booklet updated 28 September 2026; the source gives no separate start date for the Single Protection Interview
- Source: Information booklet for asylum applications
UK Visas and Immigration updated the "Information booklet about your asylum application" on 28 September 2026 to include information about the Single Protection Interview.
Most people claiming asylum attend a screening appointment and, later, an asylum interview. The booklet says that nationals of the countries listed above "may instead be invited to attend a Single Protection Interview". The booklet does not say how the Home Office decides who is invited.
The Single Protection Interview combines the screening appointment and the asylum interview into a single appointment. Claimants are asked questions to register the asylum claim. They are also given the opportunity to explain why they are seeking protection in the UK, including why they left their country and why they believe they cannot safely return.
Anyone invited will receive a letter explaining the invitation and giving details of when and how the interview will take place. The interview may take place face-to-face or by video conference.
The booklet says the decision-maker conducting the interview will be specially trained and will understand that it can be difficult to talk about traumatic or sensitive experiences. It adds that a claimant may receive a decision on the asylum claim following the interview.
The booklet is guidance only and is not a legal document. It tells readers who do not understand it to contact one of the support services listed in the booklet or seek legal advice.
What this means for applicants
If you are invited to a Single Protection Interview, the booklet says it is very important that you attend. It states that if you do not attend, your asylum claim will not be registered.
The booklet says it is important to provide as much relevant information as possible, including what happened to you in your country, why you left and what you fear would happen if you returned. It also says you should provide any documents or evidence you want the Home Office to take into account.
The invitation letter gives details of when and how the interview will take place. The booklet also says that failing to keep contact details up to date, or to respond to important information about a claim in a reasonable time, may result in the claim being treated as withdrawn.
Sources
- Information booklet for asylum applications, UK Visas and Immigration, GOV.UK, updated 28 September 2026