Asylum Process Waiting Times How long does the asylum process take? Please be aware that the times stated on this page are averages. Your case may be decided faster or slower than the average. When might I receive my first instance decision? In June 2024, the average waiting time was around 18 months. This is from the day you apply for asylum and receive the blue card, to the day you receive your decision which follows the substantive (big) interview. This was reduced to 7 weeks for accelerated cases. How long will the IPAT appeal take? In June 2024, it took on average 8.5 months to receive a decision from the International Protection Appeal Tribunal (IPAT). What can I do if my case is delayed? If you are experiencing a significant delay, we recommend you seek the assistance of a lawyer and ask them to contact the IPO on your behalf. For information on legal aid see here. However please be aware that, ultimately, the power to schedule interviews and grant decisions rest with the International Protection Office/ International Protection Appeals Tribunal; your lawyer can advocate for you, but cannot control processing times. Manage Cookie Preferences