Sudanese asylum seekers challenge Home Office rule changes for refugees Shabana Mahmood has announced plan to cut leave to remain from five years to 30 months, to concern of UN refugee agency Two Sudanese asylum seekers are challenging a central element of Labour’s plans to strip refugees of basic rights, rejecting the home secretary’s accusation that they are “asylum shoppers”. Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to halve refugees’ leave to remain in the UK, from five years to 30 months. Previously, people could apply for permanent settlement after five years but now refugees will have to wait 20 years before being eligible.