Information Hub Information Hub Prioritised countries Which countries are on the prioritised list? The UNHCR recommends the prioritisation of applications from certain countries within the asylum process. This is because there is a strong likelihood that citizens from these countries need international protection. This is the current list: Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen What does prioritisation mean? If your application is prioritised, it means that you may not have to wait as long for your interview. If you are from one of the countries on the list and can demonstrate your identity and nationality through identity documents, the IPO may make a decision on your application without conducting a substantive interview. This does not happen in all cases. I think my case should be prioritised, what should I do? You should contact your LAB lawyer to confirm if they have requested prioritsation on your behalf, and if not, kindly request that they do this. You can also write to the IPO yourself asking them to prioritise your case. If you are asking for prioritisation because of your country of origin, please explain in the email what identity documents you have already provided (if any). This can include originals and copies, although originals usually carry much more weight. If you can access identity documents that you have not yet shown to the IPO, you should inform your lawyer of this as soon as possible. Please attach copies of any documents to the email as well. Below is an example of an email that you can adapt, depending on your circumstances and send to [email protected] Name: Person ID: Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to draw your attention to the fact that I am from [INSERT COUNTRY] which is a prioritised country. I applied for asylum on [X date]. I ask that you please prioritise my application as per Paragraph 6 of PRIORITISATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION ACT 2015 (Amended) On [Y DATE], I submitted my original driving licence to your office. I further submitted a copy of my birth certificate, as the original is missing. Please see copies of these documents attached. These are the only forms of national identity that I have. I have never had a national passport. I note section 35 (8) of the International Protection Act 2015 states "A personal interview may be dispensed with where the international protection officer is of the opinion that— based on the available evidence, the applicant is a person in respect of whom a refugee declaration should be given". I kindly ask that you dispense with my interview if possible and prioritise my application. Manage Cookie Preferences