21. April 2026

Asylum Seekers & Refugees & Migrants: definitions, legal status & dispelling the dogma.

It’s extremely likely that you will know someone, or probably several people, who have moved to a different country to enjoy a better job, or to take advantage of living by the sea in a sunnier climate.

How many British and Irish people do you know who live a fun and happy life on Spain’s Costa del Sol? Or perhaps you have a hardworking relative who has been promoted and assigned to a new position in the Australian branch of their company? These are the lucky immigrants. But across the world, some people are not so fortunate and are forced to leave the place where they were born and grew up, and migrate to another country under very difficult circumstances.

Every year, millions of humans are forced to flee their homeland due to war, persecution, or torture. These individuals don’t have a happy choice between two welcoming countries. They are compelled to move abroad to save their own life, or to avoid being violently targeted due to their sexuality, political views, religion, or ethnicity. These people are refugees, and they have the right to claim asylum.

It is important to remember that it is not illegal to seek asylum in the UK. The 1951 Refugee
Convention, of which the UK is a signatory, stipulates that people can seek asylum in any country
they choose. The International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The ongoing and fractious debate in the UK on immigration often creates arguments over the legality of
migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. So we have collated the following information and examples to
highlight some helpful facts relating to the definition of these humanitarian terms.

Immigrant

An immigrant is a person who moves to a new country permanently, and who will most often have to go through a legal process to gain residence status to settle.

Examples of immigrants:

• A British family moving to Spain for a healthier lifestyle and better education for their children.
• A young man fleeing war-torn Sudan, looking for a safe place to live.

Migrant

A migrant is a broad term for someone who moves abroad, either temporarily or permanently, often for
work reasons or for an improved lifestyle. The word ‘migrant’ is often referred to a person who is in transit. Examples of migrants: Agricultural migrants who travel annually to help with seasonal harvests in Europe.

Asylum seekers

An asylum seeker is a person in the process of applying for protection in a new country and is waiting for a decision on their application. An asylum seeker must apply for refugee status upon arrival in the country where they want to reside. Normally, asylum seekers are not allowed to work until they are granted refugee status.

Refugee

A refugee is someone who has already been granted asylum in a new country. Refugees are most often
recognised by the UNHCR or the UK Government after an in-depth evaluation process.
In general, refugees have the same legal, social, and economic rights as UK citizens and are eligible to
work, gain an education, and claim benefits.

NOTES:
Not all asylum seekers are recognised as refugees, and if their claim is denied, they may not be granted
permission to stay. However, in these situations, there are options to appeal, and individuals can be
reevaluated or apply for another form of protection.