India: Information on whether Somali citizens who are UNHCR refugees in India are allowed to work, attend school, exit and return, and whether their status is affected if they have graduated from an Indian university
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND23145.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Information on whether Somali citizens who are UNHCR refugees in India are allowed to work, attend school, exit and return, and whether their status is affected if they have graduated from an Indian university, 1 March 1996, IND23145.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acc028.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was supplied by the Legal Officer at the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ottawa (5 Mar. 1996). UNHCR-recognized refugees in India are not allowed to receive work permits. They are issued temporary residence permits which remain valid for one year before they need to be renewed, but renewals are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. The Indian government policy is that refugees should be repatriated or permanently re-settled outside India. UNHCR-recognized refugees do have access to education, but must pay for it themselves. The UNHCR has no information about any exceptions to these regulations.
The Legal Officer at the UNHCR was unable to provide information on whether residence permits allow refugees to exit or return. According to the Legal Officer, however, if refugees are being re-settled outside India and need travel documents, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) is approached for a travel document (5 Mar. 1996).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Ottawa. 5 March 1996. Telephone interview with Legal Officer.
