How does Humanitarian Protection work? If the Home Office decides that you may stay here for humanitarian reasons, they will give you permission to enter and stay in the UK for an initial period of five years.

If you have any dependants, they too will receive the same permission to stay.

(Instead of being given temporary permission to stay for five years, refugees who are resettled in the UK through the Gateway Protection Programme are immediately given permission to settle here permanently.

Your residence permit gives you the same rights as permanent residents of the UK. You can work and apply for public funds (also known as benefits). Your case owner will help you to start building your new life in this country.

You will be able to renew your residence permit or apply for permission to settle here (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain) at the end of the five years; unless the Home Office believes there are serious reasons to refuse it.

If the Home Office has given you humanitarian protection and you want to extend your stay or settle here, you will need to complete the relevant application form and provide supporting documents. Further representation on how you continue to meet the requirements must be made.