Step 5 · Decision on your case
How the decision is made: what the assessment consists of and what happens next
Here: what criteria the Home Office uses to look at an asylum case, what country information (country policy and information note, CPIN) exists for our countries, what kinds of documents a case can include and what happens after the decision. This describes the procedure; it is not a forecast for your case.
We do not give immigration advice and do not assess the prospects of a case; only an IAA-registered adviser or an SRA or BSB lawyer can do that. Anyone who promises "it will definitely work out" either doesn't understand the system or is making money from fear.
What the assessment consists of
Part 1. Your story
What you said in the questionnaire, at the screening interview and at the substantive interview. They assess its consistency, detail and plausibility; see the table below.
Part 2. Your country
What is known about the situation of people like you in your country. The caseworker relies on the Home Office country note (CPIN). They are not obliged to look for materials themselves; your representative brings them. A weak second part drags down even an honest first one.
What they assess in your story
You can scroll the table sideways.
| Criterion | What this means |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Whether the dates, names and order of events match across the questionnaire, the screening and the interview. Discrepancies are what most often sink a case |
| Detail | Whether there are specifics: what exactly, when, who. Personal details carry more weight than general words |
| Plausibility | Whether the story holds together as a whole. It is officially recognised that trauma affects memory |
| Consistency with country information | Whether your account matches what is known about the situation in your country |
Country information: what exists for our countries
You can scroll the table sideways.
| Country | Is there a Home Office country note (CPIN) |
|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | No: neither on the country nor on sexual orientation |
| Кыргызстан | No |
| Uzbekistan | Yes: on sexual orientation and gender identity, July 2024. The caseworker has a ready-made document that recognises the risk |
| Tajikistan | No |
| Turkmenistan | No |
What this means for you
If you are from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or Turkmenistan, the caseworker has no ready-made note. Your representative brings the country part. Ask them at the first meeting: “What country evidence will you submit for my case, and when?” It's a perfectly normal question.
What is known about the laws in our countries
- Kazakhstan: no criminal article; on 30 December 2025 a law banning "propaganda" was signed.
- Kyrgyzstan: a similar law has been in force since 30 August 2023.
- Uzbekistan: Article 120 of the Criminal Code: same-sex relations between men are punishable, up to three years.
- Turkmenistan: Article 135 of the Criminal Code: up to two years, and five to ten for a repeat conviction.
No criminal article does not mean it's safe at home. Persecution counts not only from the state: family, those around you, blackmail, being unable to go to the police.
What kinds of documents a case can include
Your testimony
The questionnaire, the screening interview, the substantive interview, and the witness statement your lawyer prepares. This is the foundation of the case; everything else is built around it.
Proof of taking part in the community here
Membership of an organisation, attending groups, volunteering. A letter from an organisation carries more weight if it says since when and in which activities you have taken part.
Witness letters
From a partner, friends, coordinators, neighbours. The letter should say who the author is, how long and in what capacity they have known you, and what exactly they saw for themselves.
Country materials
Human rights reports, the text of laws, publications about specific cases, especially about your city and circle. Your representative attaches them.
Medical and psychological documents
If there was violence or there are effects of trauma. The specialist's report is commissioned by your lawyer, not by you. Therapy: Freedom from Torture 020 7697 7777, self-referrals accepted.
What to collect and when
Only your representative decides. Our role is to explain what documents exist and to give you a letter of participation if you take part with us.
What happens after the decision
Positive decision
Refugee status is granted for 30 months (for claims made from 2 March 2026); at renewal the situation in your country is reviewed, so don't throw away your case papers. The 42-day move-on period runs from the date of the decision: after that you are moved out of Home Office accommodation and payments stop. Apply for Universal Credit in the first 3 days: 0800 328 5644. In detail: "Status granted".
Refusal
14 days to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal from the date of the decision; the clock runs whether you have a lawyer or not. Support stops around 21 days after notification; section 4 may be possible under certain conditions. Form and procedure: gov.uk/asylum-appeal. In detail: "Refusal or detention".
Frequently asked questions
I don't have a single document from home. Is that the end?
There's no CPIN for my country. Who will bring the country information?
I was told "you can just keep it quiet back home". Is that lawful?
My lawyer won't tell me what they'll attach to the case. What do I do?
Official sources
Qadam London
How Qadam London can help
- We'll explain what the assessment consists of and what kinds of documents a case can include, so you don't spend months chasing useless certificates.
- We'll give you a letter about your participation in the community if you take part with us.
- We'll point you to where to look for country materials on your country; there are almost none ready-made for ours.
- We do not assess the prospects of a case and do not read case files; that is a lawyer's job.
Useful phone numbers at this stage
Asylum and LGBTQI+
020 3752 5801Rainbow Migration. 18+, you're in the UK, you have your own lawyer.
Services are free
Help for refugees
0808 196 7272Refugee Council. Referral to a lawyer, helpline in several languages.
Free
Struggling and no one to talk to
116 123Samaritans. You can call in any state.
24 hours, free
LGBTQ+ support line
0800 0119 100Switchboard. Talk about anything: coming out, loneliness, fear.
Daily 10:00–22:00
Personal plan · free · 24 hours
Waiting a long time for a decision? Let's work out what you can do
A letter to your MP, permission to work after 12 months, college after 6 — which of these fits you and how to arrange it.