Asylum Interview
The substantive interview is the main meeting with the Home Office where you tell in your own words who you are and why it is dangerous for you at home. It is the most important and the most nerve‑wracking moment in your case. Here — calmly — is how it goes, what your rights are, and how to prepare.
You do not need to "prove" your orientation or gender with documents or photos — the law does not require that. Under the HJ (Iran) ruling, you cannot be asked to hide who you are. The main thing is to tell your story honestly and in detail in your own words: how you realised who you are, what you felt, what you are afraid of. If a question feels offensive or too personal, you can say so; the Home Office has rules for conducting such interviews.
This is general information, not legal advice. Skybow is not a registered immigration adviser (OISC/IAA).
What Questions Are Asked
They mainly ask about your life and story: how you became aware of your orientation or gender, about relationships and feelings, how this affected your life at home, what happened, what you fear if you return, what you know about the situation for LGBTQ+ people in your country. Questions can be very personal. The interviewer must not demand intimate details or "proof" of sex — such questions are prohibited by Home Office instructions, and you can ask them to rephrase. Answer honestly and in your own words; if you do not remember something, just say so.
Your Rights at the Interview
You have the right to a free interpreter in your language. You can ask in advance for an interpreter and an interviewer of your gender, if that makes you more comfortable (request this in writing or through your solicitor before the interview). You can take breaks if it gets hard. If you have a solicitor or representative, they can be present. After the interview you will be given a record — check it and correct any mistakes; inaccuracies can later harm your case.
What Not to Do
Do not make things up or memorise someone else's story — inconsistencies with your screening questionnaire are one of the main reasons for refusals. Do not guess: if you do not know or do not remember, honestly say "I don't remember" — that is better than a made‑up answer. Do not exaggerate details. And do not leave out important things out of shame — what is left unsaid can weaken your case. Do not forge documents.
How to Prepare
Re‑read your screening answers so your story is consistent. Reconstruct the timeline: dates, places, events in order. Practise telling your story out loud — it will be easier at the interview. In advance (in writing or through your solicitor) request an interpreter and, if needed, an interviewer of your gender. Gather anything that supports your story — but remember: lack of documents is not an obstacle. If possible, find a solicitor through Legal Aid before the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — you can ask for an interviewer and interpreter of your gender if it makes you more comfortable talking about personal matters. It is best to request this in advance, in writing or through your solicitor, before the interview date. In SOGI cases the Home Office usually accommodates this.
No. Emotions in such an interview are normal and do not harm your case. You can ask for a break at any time. The decision is based on your overall story, not on how composed you were. If stress makes you forget something, you can add it later through your solicitor.
Your case is confidential — the Home Office does not inform your family or the authorities of your country. If this fear is stopping you from speaking, tell your solicitor and the interviewer: it is part of your situation, not an obstacle.
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Skybow is an information project by Mendee CIC. We are not a registered immigration adviser (OISC/IAA) and do not provide personal legal services. Everything here is general information, not advice for your specific case. Prepare your case and make decisions together with an adviser registered with the regulator (OISC/IAA) or with a solicitor through Legal Aid. Laws and practices change — check with gov.uk.