The UK Government has introduced a new 24-week target for deciding certain asylum and immigration appeals as part of efforts to reduce the growing backlog and speed up the removal of people who have no legal right to remain in the country.

The target came into effect on August 12, 2026, and applies to new appeals before the First-tier Tribunal involving non-detained foreign national offenders and people receiving asylum support and accommodation.

The government said the average waiting time for an asylum or immigration appeal to be decided by a judge is currently 67 weeks, while more than 150,000 appeals remain outstanding.

Under the new system, eligible cases are expected to be heard within 24 weeks of being received by the tribunal. The government said this would allow unsuccessful applicants who have no right to remain in the UK to be removed more quickly, while also freeing up asylum accommodation and reducing costs.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Anna Turley said lengthy delays had held back the system and placed additional financial pressure on taxpayers.

The reforms are also linked to plans for an Independent Immigration Appeals Authority, which the government says will provide a simpler and faster route for handling appeals. The new body is expected to operate alongside the existing First-tier Tribunal before gradually taking on new cases.

However, the new 24-week target does not apply to every asylum appeal, and the existing backlog will not automatically benefit from the new timetable.