Who is an Asylum-Seeker?

Asylum-seekers are people who have expressed a fear of return to their country of origin either at a port of entry or after entering Trinidad and Tobago. Asylum-seekers must complete an asylum application to be officially registered as an asylum-seeker with UNHCR.

Following registration as an asylum-seeker, a refugee status determination procedure will be conducted to determine who is a refugee. In the absence of national legislation, UNHCR determines who is a refugee based on the refugee definition in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its own mandate.

Asylum-seekers are protected from forced return to their country of origin from the time they express a fear of return until a final decision on refugee status is determined by UNHCR.

If you are afraid to return to your country of origin, or country of previous residence, because you are in danger of suffering serious harm for reasons related to your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, you can also claim asylum in Trinidad and Tobago.

Who is a Refugee?

A refugee is a person who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, armed conflict or violence for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution and, because of such fear, cannot return home or is afraid to do so because they would not be able to find protection there.

Following registration as an asylum-seeker, a refugee status determination procedure will be conducted to determine who is a refugee. In the absence of national legislation, UNHCR determines who is a refugee based on the refugee definition in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its own mandate.

Refugees are protected from forced return to their country of origin.