Glossary

We hope you find this glossary useful as a basic guide to terms used within this website. If you would like us to add any words or terms, please let us know. Migration is a rapidly changing field, so the information in the glossary may go out of date at any time. The definitions are not legal definitions, and they do not constitute legal advice. If you have a legal problem, you should consult a qualified legal adviser.

A10

The entire group of countries that joined the EU in 2004. They comprise the 'A8' countries - Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia - plus Cyprus and Malta.

The group of countries that joined the European Union in 2007. They are: Bulgaria and Romania.

The group of countries that joined the EU in 2004 [except for Cyprus and Malta]. They are: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Accession states

A general term to describe those countries which have recently joined the European Union.

Appeal rights exhausted [ARE]

This term is used to describe people who have no more opportunities to challenge a negative decision on their asylum claim.

Assisted Voluntary Return Programme for Irregular Migrants [AVRIM]

A programme to assist migrants who are in the UK without legal documentation who want to return home voluntarily. The programme is run by Refugee Action.

Asylum seeker

A person who has applied for protection under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and is awaiting a decision on this outcome [including those who are at different appeal stages].

Page last updated:02 May 2013

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