Travel to Home Country: Rules for Political Refugees in the UK

Every year, thousands of people from around the world seek political asylum in the UK due to persecution or insecurity. If approved, they are initially granted a five-year protection-based stay. After this period, they may receive Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Twelve months after ILR, they can apply for citizenship and obtain a British passport, which allows travel abroad and return to the UK.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman went to the UK in 2008 for medical treatment with his family and received political asylum. Recently, discussions about his return to Bangladesh have emerged, but the procedure is not confirmed.

Barrister Monowar Hossain, a UK immigration and human rights law expert, said that asylum provides protection from insecurity. Even with ILR, returning to one’s home country may lead the UK Home Office to assume there is no longer any risk. This puts both refugee status and ILR at risk.

For general ILR holders, staying outside the UK for more than two years may automatically cancel ILR. Returning to the UK would then require a new visa.

Political refugees are issued a ‘Refugee Travel Document’ by the Home Office, allowing travel to other countries except the one from which asylum was claimed.

If a Bangladeshi asylum seeker travels home, they must use a Bangladeshi passport or government-issued permit, which carries serious legal risk. The Home Office may assume the need for asylum no longer exists, potentially invalidating both refugee status and ILR.

To renounce citizenship, an official application must be submitted to the Home Office. Once approved, a certificate is issued and becomes effective from that date. After renunciation, the right to reside in the UK ends, requiring a new visa or approval to return.

Khaborwala/TSN