The decision to pause asylum processing was enacted in December 2024 after rebel forces led by the UK-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew the Assad regime. The Home Office cited a lack of reliable data at the time to assess return risks.

More than 7,000 Syrians were left in limbo, many living in temporary government-funded housing. The suspension also impacted those already granted temporary refugee protection who could not apply for permanent residency.

Asylum Minister Dame Angela Eagle said the government had worked to restart decisions “as soon as there was sufficient information” and stressed that returns would follow the new framework.

New Guidelines And Ongoing Rights Concerns

The new policy guidance says asylum should still be granted to individuals who face a “well-founded fear of persecution,” but argues that general instability, lawlessness, or violence alone do not meet that threshold.

The Home Office now considers that former opponents of Assad are "unlikely to be at risk solely on that basis" under HTS, and that minorities such as Christians, Druze, Kurds, and Shia Muslims are generally safe—except in areas controlled by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, where Kurdish residents may face serious harm.

The guidance does acknowledge that Alawites—Assad’s sectarian base—may face reprisals, referencing recent attacks that killed hundreds.

Refugee Council chief Enver Solomon welcomed the restart but warned the UK must avoid blanket decisions. “The situation in Syria continues to be unstable. Each case must be considered individually to protect those facing real danger.