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UK 'Manage Asylum Claim' Service Updated: New Invitation Email and Account Creation Requirements for Immigration Adviser

🇬🇧 United KingdomAsylum1 recorded versionLast change 27 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The current process requires a user to obtain an invitation before creating a Manage Asylum Claim account. -Immigration advisers: An immigration adviser wishing to use the service must: -prepare a letter of authority; -email it to the Home Office at the designated communications address; -use “MAC Portal” as the email subject; and -wait to receive an invitation before creating an account. The Home Office also makes clear that the team responsible for issuing invitations cannot provide information about individual asylum claims. -Paralegals and administrative support staff: Paralegals and administrative support staff do not follow the same direct invitation route described for immigration advisers. Instead, an immigration adviser within their organisation who already has a Manage Asylum Claim account can create an account for them. -Account creation: When creating an account, the user must have: -their own work email address; and -a mobile phone number. -What the service can be used for: Once authorised, immigration advisers can use the service to manage documents relating to asylum claims they are working on, including downloading and uploading files. Paralegals and administrative support staff can also use the service. The service remains optional: advisers can continue to manage asylum claims through email and post.

Overview

The Home Office has updated the 'Manage asylum claim' digital service, which is used by immigration advisers to handle asylum cases. The primary changes include a new email address for requesting service invitations and an additional requirement for users to provide a mobile phone number when creating an account. These updates, which became effective on 27 August 2026, aim to improve the initial onboarding process for legal professionals.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Immigration advisers using the Manage Asylum Claim service
  • Immigration law firms
  • Immigration advice organisations
  • Paralegals working on asylum claims
  • Administrative support staff working on asylum claims
  • Organisations managing asylum cases on behalf of claimants
  • Advisers who need to upload or download documents through MAC (Manage Asylum Claim)

What changed in the latest version

Before

The Manage Asylum Claim (MAC) service first started in May 2025. It was an online service for immigration advisers who managed asylum claims. The service later expanded. An update in August 2026 allowed people to upload documents. Before the 27 August 2026 update, the public guidance did not include the new instructions for 'Using the service for the first time'. These new instructions cover how to get an invite and create an account. Only authorised professional users could use the service. It was not a way for individuals to make a new asylum claim online. The Home Office still says you cannot use the Manage Asylum Claim service to claim asylum.

After

Users must get an invitation before they can create a Manage Asylum Claim (MAC) account. **Immigration advisers:** An immigration adviser who wants to use the service must: - prepare a letter of authority; - email it to the Home Office at the correct communications address; - use 'MAC Portal' as the email subject; and - wait for an invitation before they create an account. The Home Office also makes it clear that the team which sends invitations cannot give information about individual asylum claims. **Paralegals and administrative support staff:** Paralegals and administrative support staff do not follow the same direct way to get an invitation as immigration advisers. Instead, an immigration adviser in their organisation who already has a Manage Asylum Claim account can create an account for them. **Account creation:** When creating an account, the user must have: - their own work email address; and - a mobile phone number. **What the service can be used for:** Once they have permission, immigration advisers can use the service to manage documents for asylum claims they are working on. This includes downloading and uploading files. Paralegals and administrative support staff can also use the service. The service is still optional. Advisers can still manage asylum claims by email and post.

This update means that immigration advisers, paralegals, and administrative support staff who work on asylum claims must now follow a new process. They must do this to get access to, or create an account for, the 'Manage asylum claim' service. Not using the correct email address or subject line could cause delays in getting an invite. Users must now provide a mobile phone number to create an account. This asks for another piece of personal information from professionals using the service. Those who do not follow these new rules will not be able to use the digital service to manage asylum claims.

Explained simply

Imagine you need a special pass to get into a secret online club for people helping with asylum cases. Before, you just emailed a certain address with a letter. Now, that email address has changed, and you need to put a specific phrase like 'SECRET CLUB PASS' in the email subject line. Also, when you finally get to create your account for the club, you'll need to give them your work email and your mobile phone number, which wasn't needed before. If you don't follow these new steps, you won't get your pass or access the club.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v11Effective 27 Aug 2026EffectiveMedium impact
    UK 'Manage Asylum Claim' Service Updated: New Invitation Email and Account Creation Requirements for Immigration Advisers and Support Staff

    The guidance for the 'Manage asylum claim' service in the UK changed on 27 August 2026. This updated how immigration advisers ask for an account. Advisers must now send their letter of authority to a new email address: ahrocentralcommunicationshub@homeoffice.gov.uk. They must write 'MAC Portal' in the subject line of the email. To create an account, a mobile phone number is now needed. Before, the guidance mentioned creating a password instead. The updated guidance no longer says people need to provide an Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) registration number when asking for an invite.

Timeline

  1. Announced

    27 Aug 2026

    The Home Office has updated the 'Manage asylum claim' digital service, which is used by immigration advisers to handle asylum cases. The primary changes include a new email address for requesting service invitations and an additional requirement for users to provide a mobile phone number when creating an account. These updates, which became effective on 27 August 2026, aim to improve the initial o

  2. Takes effect

    27 Aug 2026

    Immigration advisers must now email a letter of authority to ahrocentralcommunicationshub@homeoffice.gov.uk with the subject line 'MAC Portal' to request an invite. To create an account, users now need their own work email address and a mobile phone number.

Other routes in this country

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