Asylum applications are received and registered only at UNHCR Office in Algiers.
IMPORTANT!
All receptions and appointments at UNHCR office in Algiers are suspended as mobility in Algeria is limited due to the Covid-19 situation. UNHCR invites everybody to observe the authorities’ decisions and the preventive measures to avoid propagation of the virus.
UNHCR continues to be available to refugees and asylum seekers through a dedicated Call Centre in service from Sunday to Thursday h 09.00 – 16.30 at the following numbers: (+213) 0657782733 / (+213) 0657661027 / (+213) 0657661026.
You can also contact UNHCR by email at [email protected].
Do not hesitate to contact us for any information!
Submitting an asylum application
Due to Covid-19 mobility restrictions, you can only submit your asylum application to UNHCR Office in Algiers by email at the following email address: [email protected] or by fax at the number 023 05 28 52.
The asylum application should contain all the following information:
- NAME, surname
- Date and place of birth
- Sex
- Nationality
- Date of entry in Algeria
- Point of entry in Algeria
- Current address in Algeria
- Telephone number (at any time during the asylum procedure you should inform UNHCR if you change your telephone number)
- The reason why you wish to apply for asylum
- Names of accompanying family members in Algeria
- Date and signature
UNHCR will confirm the reception of your asylum application by email but is currently unable to give you an appointment date as appointments are currently suspended as a preventive measure to avoid Covid-19 propagation. UNHCR will record your application and will communicate your appointment date as soon as appointments are resumed.
The asylum procedure is FREE and WITHOUT ANY CHARGES.
Under no circumstances should you accept any offers from people who are asking you for money to submit an asylum application, get an appointment or obtain a document.
Only UNHCR can provide advice on the asylum procedures, including registration, asylum interview and assistance.
For more information, you can contact the UNHCR Office at the following number:
Tel.: (+213) 23 05 28 53 or (+213) 23 05 28 54
Asylum procedures
Asylum procedures take place at UNHCR Office in Algiers.
Registration interview
ATTENTION! Registration interviews are suspended as a preventive measure to avoid Covid-19 propagation. UNHCR will inform you as soon as registration interviews are resumed.
After receiving your asylum application, UNHCR Office will send you an SMS with the date and hour of your registration appointment. During the registration interview, a UNHCR staff will ask you some questions and register your personal information. Then, the staff will take your fingerprints, your iris data (photography of the eye) and your identity picture.
The information collected remains strictly confidential.
Issued documents
ATTENTION! Issue of documentation, including renewal of refugee cards and asylum seeker certificates, is suspended as a preventive measure to avoid Covid-19 propagation. UNHCR will inform you as soon as issue of documentation is resumed.
UNHCR will deliver an asylum seeker certificate to you and your dependents. You must keep the original of this document with you at all time and come to UNHCR for its renewal upon expiration.
Refugee Status Determination interview
ATTENTION! Refugee status determination interviews are suspended as a preventive measure to avoid Covid-19 propagation. UNHCR will inform you as soon as interviews are resumed.
After registration, UNHCR will give you an appointment for a refugee status determination interview. During this interview with a UNHCR staff, you will be asked to give details about the reasons and circumstances of departure from your country of origin. At the end of this interview, the staff will give you an appointment for the notification of the decision related to your asylum request.
Decision notification
If the decision is positive you will be recognized as a refugee and a refugee card will be delivered to you and your dependents.
If the decision is negative (your application is rejected), UNHCR will explain to you the reasons and the procedure to submit an appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing within 30 days by fax to the number 023 05 28 52 or by email to the address [email protected]. If you don’t lodge an appeal within this delay, your file will be closed.
Your appeal will be assessed and you will be informed of the final decision. This decision may grant you the refugee status or confirm the denial of your application. If your application is rejected on appeal, your file will be closed.
Case closure
UNHCR can close your file for the following reasons:
- If you do not attend your first refugee status determination interview and cannot be reached for three weeks;
- If you do not attend your refugee status determination interview twice, without valid reasons;
- If you do not attend your notification appointment within 30 days after the date of your initial appointment.
It is IMPORTANT inform UNHCR of any changes in your contact information (address, phone number).