Ministers are facing mounting pressure to resume processing Syrian asylum and settlement claims, as newly released government data reveals that more than 7,000 Syrian nationals are still awaiting decisions — over five months after the Home Office suspended casework in the wake of political upheaval in Syria.
The freeze, initiated in December following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), was said to allow the UK government time to reassess conditions on the ground.
However, the Refugee Council and other advocacy groups have condemned the ongoing delay, calling for individual claims to be assessed on a case-by-case basis rather than leaving thousands in bureaucratic limbo.
According to official statistics, 7,386 Syrian asylum seekers were still awaiting initial decisions by the end of March.
Of these, more than 5,500 were housed in government-funded accommodation, including over 2,000 in hotels — despite government pledges to phase out their use for asylum purposes.
A Home Office spokesperson stated that the pause was a “necessary step” due to the lack of “stable, objective information” about the risks of returning to Syria, but confirmed that the policy remains under review. HTS, now in control of parts of Syria, remains designated a terrorist organisation by the UK, adding to the complexity.
The number of new Syrian asylum applications dropped by 81% following the decision. However, 299 Syrians still arrived via small boats in the first quarter of this year, making up 5% of total crossings.
Those waiting for decisions are barred from working and must rely on government support. Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, said the backlog not only affects individuals but also places additional financial strain on the public purse.
He also warned that delays were undermining the government’s promise to clear the overall asylum backlog.
One applicant, Azadi — a 25-year-old Kurdish man who arrived in the UK in June 2023 — said he was grateful for basic support but deeply frustrated at not being allowed to work.
“Every day is the same. I am not progressing. It’s stressful,” he told the BBC. While Syria’s new leadership recently reached an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Azadi said he still feared persecution and did not believe the country was safe for Kurds.
Meanwhile, some Syrians already granted refugee status but now applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) have also been affected. Leen Albrmawi, 28, who arrived in 2019, said her life had “collapsed” after her ILR application was frozen.
Despite receiving a university offer to study business, she was denied a student loan due to her temporary immigration status.
Campaigners argue that temporary status makes it harder for Syrians to find work or stable housing and leaves many fearing future deportation should the UK government decide Syria is safe.
