INITIAL CONTACT AND ASYLUM REGISTRATION QUESTIONNAIRE

Port/Home Office Reference:

Date/Location/Start Time:
Interviewing Officer
(note whether male/female)
Interpreter’s reference number
(note whether male/female, and location
of interpreter - phone, VC, in room with
claimant)
Language of interview (and dialect if
relevant)
Ticket Number: (if relevant)
Please tell me if you feel unwell at
any time during this interview. Are
you ready to be interviewed?

The following may be read directly by an interpreter.

To be readout: If you do not understand the interpreter please tell me.
I am going to ask you some questions about your identity, family, background,
travel history and some health and welfare questions. I will only ask you for a
brief outline of why you are claiming asylum today. I will not be making the
decision on your asylum claim.
If your claim for asylum is to be considered in the UK, and if appropriate, at a later
date you will be sent a letter inviting you to attend an asylum interview at which
you be able to give full details of your experiences and fears. Your asylum
interview will be recorded and we may conduct your interview by video
conferencing unless you have a reason why the interview should not be recorded
or conducted by video conferencing. If so, you will need to provide evidence to
your casework team. The letter inviting you to interview will provide details about
how you can contact the casework team.
If we are unable to invite you to your asylum interview as we do not have a valid
address for you, or you do not attend your asylum interview without providing a
valid reason, your claim for asylum may be withdrawn and steps made to remove
you from the UK.
Whilst your claim is being processed you will not have to leave the UK unless it is
found that there is another country that is responsible for your case.
Your information may be shared with other UK government departments or
agencies including the National Health Service, local authorities, asylum
authorities of other countries, international organisations and other bodies. Any
information shared is to enable us and other organisations to carry out functions,
including the prevention and detection of crime. If another country has
responsibility for considering your claim you will be informed.
We will not inform your own country that you have claimed asylum or the
reasons. We will not share any information if doing so would put you or your
family at risk. However we may share some of the information you have given us
with them. For example, to help us get travel documentation if your claim is
refused.
You must answer all the questions fully and truthfully. Making false statements
may:
 Constitute a criminal offence
 Damage your credibility
 Make you liable for prosecution and imprisonment.
Is there anything you would like me to repeat or explain?

If yes, please provide clarification and re-ask above question

Part 1 – Personal details and identity

If information is already known, officer should confirm that the details held are correct
1.1 Full name (first name(s) FAMILY name)
Confirm spelling
1.2 Date of birth (if not known ask how old)?
Be aware of alternative calendars (e.g.
Iranian). If officer assigns DOB for CID must
clearly note this (if disputed write disputed)
1.3 Have you ever used any other names or
dates of birth?

1.4 What is your gender?

1.5 What is your nationality?
1.6 Do you have any other nationalities?
1.7 Do you have any evidence to confirm
your identity?
If passport or travel document also record
document number
1.8 If no passport
Where is your passport?
1.9 Country and town of birth
1.10 What is your main language and dialect?
1.11 What other languages and dialects do
you speak?
1.12 What is your religion (including
denomination)?
1.13 What is your race/ethnicity/tribal group?
1.14 What is your occupation in your home
country?
1.15 Do you have your own accommodation
or someone you can stay with whilst
your asylum claim is considered?

Additional information that may be provided

includes explaining that if they stay with a
friend or relative they can apply for financial
support to cover essential living items such
as food, clothing and toiletries.

That they can apply for accommodation if

their host can no longer accommodate
them.

Record address and if appropriate contact

name, the relationship and their telephone
number.
They may also need to be given the
opportunity to call someone to see if they
can host them.
1.16 Do you feel safe in the accommodation?
If no, explore (PVOT)
1.17 What is your contact number and email
address?
1.18 Please confirm details of any dependants
to be included on your asylum claim.
A dependant is an accompanying
spouse/partner (living as a couple for two
years) and children under 18 years old.
Please record details: name, DOB,
nationality and relationship to the claimant.
1.19 In the UK a child who is named as a
dependant on an asylum claim should
generally be considered to have also
made an asylum claim in their own right
unless they have no protection needs to
seek asylum. If a dependant has no
protection needs they will still remain in
the UK with the main claimant whilst
their claim is decided.

We understand that in many cases the

basis of a child’s claim for asylum is the
same as the main claimant. We can
therefore assess a child’s claim for
asylum based on the information the
main claimant provides to us. In other
cases the child will have additional or
differing reasons than the main claimant.
It is important for us to understand
whether a child faces any risks which are
different to the main claimant so we can
properly consider their claim.

In respect of each of the children named

at question 1.18:
 does the child face a risk on return
to their country of origin?
  if yes, do you believe the risk to
be same risk that you face, or are
there additional or differing risks?

1.20 Please confirm details of spouse/partner

and children not included on asylum
claim.
Please record details: name, DOB,
nationality, location and relationship to the
claimant.
1.21 Are there any compelling family reasons
for children who are not your own to join
you if you were granted leave?
Please record details: name, DOB,
nationality, location and relationship to the
claimant and compelling reason

Part 2 – Health / Special needs

To be read out. It is important that you tell us as early as possible, of any
information relating to your health including any possibility of contagious
diseases. It will not negatively affect your claim. Any medical information you
disclose may help you with accessing health services. You can enrol with a
doctor and seek medical advice without charge.
2.1 Do you have any:
- medical conditions
(list any conditions along
with any medication and
treatments)
- chronic disease
- disabilities

- infectious diseases

- medication that you

are or should be
taking?

2.2 (If female) Are you

pregnant?
 (if yes record details e.g.
due date)
2.3 Is there anything else you
would like to tell me about
your physical health
(including mobility
problems) or mental
health?
2.4 Do your dependants
under 18 have any:
- medical conditions
(Please list names, any
conditions along with any
medication and treatments)
- disabilities

- infectious diseases

- medication that they

are or should be
taking?

2.5 By exploitation we mean

things like being forced
into prostitution or other
forms of sexual
exploitation, being forced
to carry out work, or
forced to commit a crime.

Have you ever been

exploited or reason to
believe you were going to
be exploited?

If answer is “yes”, please,

use continuation sheet to
get brief details that can be
used for an NRM referral
(who/where/what/when/how)
2.6 What level of
schooling/education did
you study to? (if tertiary
education, note qualification
 details)

Part 3 – Travel and Third Country

3.1 Why have you come to the
UK?
3.2 Have you ever been
fingerprinted in any
country including your
own?
if yes please obtain details
of each occasion of:
 where

 when (month/year)

 and why fingerprinted

(e.g. for a visa
application, an arrest,
claim for asylum).

3.3 Have you claimed asylum

in any other country?
(if yes where, when,
outcome of claim, and
references they have to the
claim, any documents about
the claim)?
3.4 Please outline your
journey to the UK?
This should include

- date left country of origin,

where from,
 - each country they travelled
through

- transport and
documentation used on
each leg,
- how organised or assisted
with arranging the legs,

- length of stay in each

country,

- date of arrival in UK,

- how entered the UK & what

said to IO on arrival

In particular if travelled via

European countries

• how and where did they

first enter Europe

• on what basis (e.g. with a

visa or residence permit and
if so for how long)?
• how did they support
themselves?

• where did they stay?

• what interactions with
authorities did they have?
3.5 Do you have any evidence
that you were in any of the
countries you have
mentioned?

For example do they have

travel booking documents,
 receipts, letters from
national or local authorities,
or from organisations
helping in a migrant camp?

3.6 If appropriate (for example

travelled through Europe)

It appears that you may

have had the opportunity
to claim asylum one or
more times on your way to
the UK. Is there any
reason why you did not?

3.7 If the UK considers that

one of the countries, you
travelled through is safe
for you and will consider
your protection needs, is
there any reasons why we
cannot return you there?

Officers can follow up and

ask directly about return to
named European countries.

3.8 Have you on any other

occasion been to any of
the countries you have
named?
What was the purpose of
visit?

When was this?

How long spent there?

3.9 Other than the countries

you have listed, have you
been to any other
countries?
 What was the purpose of
visit?

When was this?

How long spent there?

3.10 Do you have any close

family in the UK or any
other European country?
(if yes and different from
responses to 1.18 and 1.19),
please note names, DOB,
status and how are they
related, when they last saw
them, whereabouts
/addresses).
3.11 Apart from your own
country, do you have any
close family in any of
other countries you have
not mentioned?

Record names,
DOB,
Relationship,
status in that country,
last time that you saw them,
whereabouts /addresses

Part 4 – Basis of asylum claim

4.1 Please BRIEFLY explain
ALL of the reasons why
you cannot return to your
home country?
Where applicable ask:
What do you fear will
happen to you on return to
 your home country?
Who do you fear?
Why do you fear them?
When did this happen?

4.2 We realise that because of

the nature of their claim,
some claimants may
possibly feel more
comfortable talking to a
man and others feel more
comfortable talking to a
woman.
Do you have a preference
whether you are
interviewed by a man or a
woman at your asylum
interview?
If man/woman is asked for
please read: We will
accommodate your
request including the
interpreter’s gender
where possible.
If no preference:
 If you change your mind
later, we will try to
accommodate your
preference.

Part 5 – Criminality and Security

If the individual answers yes to any question please collect relevant details
(organisation, subject, position / rank, dates etc).
5.1 Have you ever worked for
any of the following
organisations?
- Judiciary

- Media

- Government

- Public or civil
administration

- Security (including
police, intelligence
services and private
security companies)

- Scientific research
5.2 Have you been a member
of the national armed
forces? (This includes
UK armed forces)
If yes, have you taken part
in any fighting?
When/where/what was
their role?
5.3 Have you ever, in any
country, been accused
of, or have committed an
offence for which you
 have been, or could have
been convicted?
(including traffic
offences)
Detail: date, country,
offence.
Did you commit the offence
as part of organised
criminal activities?
Have you been convicted
and what was the
sentence?
Do you have any
documentation related to
the offence?
Where is the document
now?
If they have not been
arrested - is there a
warrant for your arrest?
5.4 Have you ever been
detained, either in the UK
or any other country for
any reason?
5.5 Have you ever been
involved with, or accused
of being involved with
any
- pro-government
groups

- political organisation

- religious organisation

- armed or violent
organisation, group or
party?
5.6 Have you ever said or
 written anything which;
- praises or justifies
acts of violence;

- or tries to make others

commit violent or
serious criminal acts;

- or encourages hatred
between
communities?
5.7 Have you ever been
involved in or suspected
of involvement in:
- terrorism

- war crimes,

- crimes against
humanity,

- genocide?

- human rights
violations?

Part 6 – Non-detained Accommodation Suitability

Part 6 only needs to be completed if the individual does not have their own
accommodation or someone they can stay with whilst their asylum claim is
considered.

To be readout: You will be allocated to asylum accommodation depending on

what is available, and it could be anywhere across the UK.
Initially, you could be allocated accommodation in any of the following
(although this list is not exhaustive): hotels, houses with multiple occupants,
hostels, refurbished accommodation that previously housed military personnel,
large sites with communal living and communal sleeping quarters, or moored
vessels. You may also be required to room share in any of the above
 accommodation.

Generally, you have no choice which asylum accommodation you may be

given. However, when we allocate your asylum accommodation, we will
consider your specific situation to ensure your accommodation is suitable and
adequate for your needs. This includes the information you provide here and
whether you are part of a family group, elderly, disabled, pregnant, have
experienced torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or
sexual violence.

6.1 In light of the above, are

there any factors we need
to be aware of when
allocating your
accommodation to ensure
it is suitable and adequate
for you?
Lines to take if the individual asks further question about allocation of
accommodation:

At this stage, I am not able to confirm what type of Home Office accommodation you will
be moved into. You may be provided accommodation at any of the sites I have
mentioned. Accommodation is provided on a no-choice basis. A decision will be taken
by Home Office caseworkers once they have considered all the information about your
suitability which you provide to me.

Your circumstances will be taken into account and you will be allocated to
accommodation which is adequate and suitable for your needs. If you refuse to accept
the accommodation provided, you may not be provided any further support or
alternative accommodation. It is therefore important, if applicable, that you provide full
details of why you believe you may not be suitable to be accommodated at any of the
accommodation sites referred to.

Part 7 – Detention Suitability

Part 7 only needs to be completed if the case is to be referred for detention (NRC, DAC
or TCU).

No case should be referred to the Detention Gatekeeper without the officer first giving
due regard to the Immigration Enforcement: general instructions: Detention – general
guidance.

In general, there is a presumption not to detain. When considering the need for initial or
continued detention, the officer must consider all relevant factors that would influence a
decision to detain or not to detain, as set out in the instruction: Detention –general
guidance. For example, what is the likelihood of the person being removed and, if so,
after what timescale, has the subject taken part in a determined attempt to breach the
immigration laws, is there a history of absconding, is there a risk of offending or harm to
the public, what are the person's ties with the UK, etc.

Factors that count in favour of detention should be balanced against any risk factors
that favour release. In this regard, risk factors should be considered in accordance with
the guidance set out in the Adults at Risk in Detention policy. Also, see the guidance
asylum claims in detention.
To be readout: Following this interview a decision will be made on whether
your claim should be considered by an asylum team dealing with non detained
cases or detained cases.
If we decide that you are suitable for detention, we may detain you whilst a
decision is being taken on your case.
7.1 Can you tell me if there
are any particular
reasons why you should
not be detained while
your claim is
considered?
This might include your
personal circumstances,
health, any special needs
or any other relevant factor.
7.2 Do you have any
documents or other
evidence relevant to your
claim, family life or other
personal circumstances
that you wish to submit
to support your asylum
claim? If yes, do you have
them with you today or
when will they be
available? (Ascertain
nature of documents,
including language).
7.3 Do you intend to have
additional documents
sent to you from your
home country? If yes,
how long will it take you to
obtain them and what
language will they be in?
Part 8: Continuation sheet & declaration
Continuation box (please ask any relevant additional questions here)

Have you understood all

the questions asked?
Is there anything you
would like to add or
change to your
response?

Time finished :

CIO Check (if required )

Countersigning Officer to sign here:

Officer to sign here: Rob Lee

Declaration:
To be read out:
As you are submitting a claim for asylum, you (and your dependants) are required
to apply for a biometric immigration document, known as a biometric residence
permit (BRP). You will only receive a BRP if you are granted status, but you need
to start the application process now. Your BRP will be evidence of your
immigration status and you will need it to access benefits and health services in
the UK. As part of the application for a BRP you will need to have your
fingerprints and photographs taken, you will be sent details of how that will
happen.

Failure to apply for a biometric immigration document using accurate information

may result in the Secretary of State deciding to refuse to issue you with a BRP
and you may be also issued with a financial penalty of up to £1,000.

Do you understand that you are applying for a biometric immigration document
in the form of a BRP?

Yes

If issued a BRP, you must ensure your personal details are accurately recorded.

Check details including spelling of name.

Name: Do you confirm that these details are
Date of birth: correct?
Gender:
Nationality:
Dependant(s) List all dependants: Do you confirm that these details are
name, date of birth, gender, nationality correct?

If ‘no’, what is the reason.

The Data Protection Act 2018 governs how we use personal data. For details of how we
will use your personal information and who we may share it with please see our Privacy
Notice for the Border, Immigration and Citizenship system at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-information-use-in-borders-
immigration-and-citizenship. This also explains your key rights under the Act, how you
can access your personal information and how to complain if you have concerns.