Prior to 9 March 2017, the general view certainly was that, Home Office practice (subject to some exceptions), was to routinely grant settlement to refugees who had completed the 5year probationary period. On 9 March 2017, the Home Office however published updated Guidance, Refugee Leave dated 2 March 2017, firmly indicating that, “All those who apply for settlement protection after completing the appropriate probationary period of limited leave will be subject to a safe return review with reference to the country situation at the date the application is considered”.
Not only that but that refugees can be subject to the review procedure at any juncture whilst holding refugee status, “ A person’s case may also be reviewed at any point in the process either when triggered by their actions, for example, they are convicted of a serious crime, or in light of a significant and non-temporary change in conditions in their country of origin such that they no longer need protection”.