The psychological impact of spending a prolonged time awaiting asylum
Like many places around the world, the UK has accumulated a large backlog of asylum cases. As of June 2025, there were over 19,000 people who had been waiting for longer than a year for an initial decision in the UK. Whilst waiting for a decision, people are not allowed to work, have extremely limited options for studying, and must rely on welfare support and accommodation provided by the Home Office. Across Europe, waits can range from six months to ten years – years marked by uncertainty and a sense of limbo.
This systematic review, conducted in collaboration with UCL and Cornelius Katona of the Helen Bamber Foundation, examined the psychological effects of prolonged waiting times in the asylum process. The review synthesised findings from 16 studies (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods) exploring the experiences of over 56,000 asylum seekers in host countries including Germany, Denmark, UK, Australia, Norway, USA, Sweden, and refugee centres in Greece and Syria.
Key Findings
Prolonged waiting was consistently linked to adverse psychological outcomes, with five major themes identified:
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Exacerbation of psychological symptoms
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Longer waits increased risks of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.
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Pre-existing mental health issues worsened.
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Applicants reported psychosomatic symptoms (headaches, sleep problems, memory loss).
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Suicidal ideation was frequently associated with hopelessness, inactivity, and lack of control.
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Uncertainty and lack of clarity of legal procedures
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Ambiguity around legal procedures, scarce information, and fear of deportation heightened distress.
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Delayed family reunification caused significant psychological suffering.
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Many described the process as akin to imprisonment or endless drifting.
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Perception of Wasted Time
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Inability to work, study, or engage in meaningful activities fostered demoralisation, rumination, and reduced self-worth.
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Social isolation and repeated relocations compounded distress.
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Many lost motivation to integrate into host societies.
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Dehumanisation and Inferior Treatment
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Restrictions on basic needs (housing, healthcare, financial stability) led to shame and humiliation.
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Applicants perceived discrimination and mistrust in government processes, reinforcing feelings of rejection.
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Alternative Experiences
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Some asylum seekers engaged in coping strategies (e.g. language learning, sports), which helped mitigate stress.
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Conversely, overly accelerated processes (e.g. 21-day fast-track for LGBTQ claimants) also increased trauma and anxiety.
Conclusion
Prolonged asylum waiting is strongly associated with worsening psychological outcomes, particularly depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Both excessively delayed and overly accelerated processes harm applicants.
Reducing waiting times is crucial to safeguard mental health. Providing transparent timelines, fairer processing, and opportunities for work or education during waiting could reduce distress.
Reforms toward timely, transparent, and humane asylum procedures are urgently needed to protect mental health and promote integration.