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Home Office instructions for Iranians accessing Section 4 support on the grounds they are taking ‘all reasonable steps’ to return to Iran.

We have been notified by Refugee Action that the Home Office has produced an ‘instruction to case owners’ concerning access to section 4 asylum support for Iranians under 3(2)(a). Apparently it doesn’t constitute H.O. policy and is only internal guidance, but nonetheless it’s pretty useful for any Iranians trying to access support on the basis of taking all reasonable steps to leave. Key points include:

• confirmation that there is no longer a consular service run by the Iranian Government in the United Kingdom
• confirmation that the Oman embassy is not currently providing consular services to Iranians
• confirmation that an application for section 4 support will be considered on the basis of contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamic Republic of Iran and/or contact with the Iranian Embassy in Dublin (emails and addresses provided in the guidance).

The guidance also confirms that H.O. do not expect applicants to travel to the Republic of Ireland illegally in order to pursue re-documentation through the Iranian Embassy in Dublin.
You can download a copy of the instructions here Home Office Reasonable Steps Letter for Iranians May 2013

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ASAP response to Legal Aid reform consultation June 2013

ASAP Audit on decision making 2013