LONDON: The United Kingdom has implemented sweeping changes to its asylum system, with new regulations coming into force on March 2, according to the Home Office.
The revised framework significantly reduces long-term protections for refugees and their dependent children.
Under the updated policy, refugee status granted to adults and their accompanying children will now be temporary and reassessed every 30 months.
Authorities stated that individuals who continue to face danger in their home countries will have their protection extended, while those from nations considered safe at the time of review may be required to return.
According to AFP, an exception has been made for unaccompanied minors, who will retain protected status for five years as the government evaluates a longer-term approach for this category.
The reforms were first unveiled in November, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood arguing that the previous system was overly generous compared to other European countries.
She emphasized the need to prevent the asylum process from acting as an incentive for dangerous migration routes often exploited by human trafficking networks.
Observers say the tougher measures also reflect mounting political pressure, particularly amid rising support for Nigel Farage and his right-wing party, Reform UK.
However, the policy shift has drawn criticism from advocacy groups and several lawmakers within Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, who warn that repeated reviews could disrupt the lives of refugees attempting to rebuild their futures in Britain.
Additional proposals – such as extending the waiting period for permanent residency from five to 20 years – are still subject to parliamentary approval.
The UK government said it studied policies in Denmark, which has reported a sharp drop in asylum applications after tightening its immigration laws.
Official figures show that more than 110,000 individuals applied for asylum in the UK in the year ending September 2025 – a 13 percent increase compared to the previous year and higher than the previous peak recorded in 2002. Applicants mainly came from Pakistan, Eritrea, Iran, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Despite record application numbers, authorities reported a rise in refusals, while initial approval rates saw a slight increase in 2025 compared to 2024.
