What is the Difference Between a Refugee and an Asylum Seeker?

Here at Upbeat Communities, we offer support for refugees and asylum seekers in the Derbyshire area, through befriending, free community lunches, free English classes, emergency accommodation, and much more! But what exactly is the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker?

Who is an asylum seeker?

The definition of an asylum seeker is someone who has left their home country and is seeking asylum (protection from danger), in another country.

Typically, a person may flee their country due to war, such as in the ongoing war between Palestine and Gaza, or persecution, which is the ill-treatment and abuse of someone based on their characteristics (race, gender, ethnicity) such as in Iran.

An asylum seeker is someone who has not yet received refugee status. In order to claim asylum, those forcibly displaced have to step foot on English soil first.

Who is a refugee?

A refugee is someone who has been granted refugee status. This status means that they are now protected by the Refugee Convention and cannot be forced to return home.

It also means that they have permission to work in the UK, although getting a job can be quite difficult, especially if someone has limited English. At Upbeat, we offer free English classes to all asylum seekers and refugees in Derby, and we also offer support to refugees looking to find work, such as help with writing their CV.

What is the difference between refugees/asylum seekers and migrants?

Whilst there isn’t an internationally accepted definition of migrants, the most accepted definition is someone who leaves their country to work, study, perhaps because their country is prone to natural disaster and many other reasons, but not necessarily fleeing because of persecution, war or other factors that may threaten the safety and lives of those who live there, such as the gang related violence such as in El Salvador.

The key difference is that people who migrate to other countries do so by choice, whereas refugees do not choose to leave their home country and most likely wouldn’t under different circumstances. It is too unsafe for them to be there, so for the safety of themselves and perhaps their family, they must flee.

Got other questions about refugees and asylum seekers? Check out our latest blog post on busting 5 common myths about asylum seekers in the UK.