Immigration and Asylum Chamber (First-tier)

Overview

The Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal hears appeals against Home Office decisions to refuse asylum, human rights claims, or applications under the Immigration Rules where a statutory right of appeal exists. Appeals are determined by judges sitting alone or with non-legal members. Most hearings are now hybrid (in-person or by video).

What it handles

• Asylum and humanitarian protection appeals
• Human rights claims (Article 8 ECHR family/private life)
• EU Settlement Scheme and EEA Regulations appeals
• Deprivation of citizenship

Deadlines

• Home Office decision (in-country) → 14 days to file Notice of Appeal
• Home Office decision (out-of-country) → 28 days to file Notice of Appeal
• Detention → 5 working days

Process

1. Step 1: Check right to appeal

   You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) if the Home Office has, among other things, refused your protection or human rights claim, revoked your status, or decided to deport you; your decision letter says whether you have the right to appeal.

2. Step 2: Submit appeal within deadline

   You have 14 days from the date you received the decision letter to submit your appeal if you're in the UK, or 28 days if you're outside the UK.

3. Step 3: Pay the fee

   It costs £82 without a hearing or £144 with a hearing, though you may not have to pay if you get asylum support, legal aid, or qualify for help with fees.

4. Step 4: Choose hearing type

   You can ask for a decision to be made just on the information and documents you've supplied, or at a hearing you and your representative can attend; the tribunal can also decide to hold a hearing even if you didn't ask for one.

5. Step 5: Decision

   If there's no hearing, a judge decides your case based on your appeal form and documents; the online appeal service also lets you get a decision on your appeal.

Appeals

Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) on point of law, with permission.

Representation

Specialist solicitors and OISC-registered immigration advisers; legal aid available for some asylum and detention cases.

Official sources