Three month time limit proposed for asylum claims
The Asylum (Time Limit) Act 2013 (when implemented) will impose a three-month time limit on those seeking asylum within the UK. The provisions indicate an asylum claim has to be brought within a three-month period from when a person arrives in the UK following implementation of the Act, and those already resident in the UK must bring an asylum claim within three months from implementation of the Act, sections 1(1) and (2). There is also a proposed amendment to the definition of an "asylum-seeker" within section 18(1)(c) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 to read:
"A claim for asylum has been made by him within the time limit specified by the Asylum Time Limit Act at a place designated by the Secretary of State"
At present there is nothing within the Bill that provides for an extension of this time limit or provisions that consider an out of time claim.
The Bill received its second House of Commons reading on 18th October 2013.