The borders are some of the tightest on the planet.
An estimated 9 million Syrians have fled their homes since the outbreak of civil war in March 2011, taking refuge in neighbouring countries or within Syria itself. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 3 million have fled to Syria's immediate neighbours Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. 6.5 million are internally displaced within Syria. Meanwhile, under 150,000 Syrians have declared asylum in the European Union, while member states have pledged to resettle a further 33,000 Syrians. The vast majority of these resettlement spots – 28,500 or 85% – are pledged by Germany.
Because Einstein, you need to be in the country to apply.
It is not legally possible to apply for asylum from outside the UK. Asylum seekers are protected from removal once they have made an asylum claim and are waiting for a decision.
Asylum claims can and should, wherever possible, be made to an immigration officer as soon as an asylum seeker arrives in the UK. Once a person has passed through immigration control and is inside the UK, he or she must claim asylum at the offices of the UK Border Agency in Croydon (in south London). If an asylum application is not made as soon as an asylum seeker enters the UK, the person may be denied welfare support and accommodation. The delay may also harm their claim at a later date. Asylum applicants should find a lawyer to represent them as soon as possible to help them during the asylum application process.
Asylum seekers have been convicted for using false passports or travel documents (for example, to leave their country of origin). Their conviction then adversely affects their credibility when their asylum claim is considered.
