Algeria: Regularization of military service status, including the process followed in Algeria or at an embassy abroad; documents required; consequences of failing to comply with the deadlines for regularization; the possibility of regularization for individuals subject to a wanted notice for avoiding national service; documents issued by the authorities to people who have regularized their status; the possibility of obtaining certain official documents, including a passport, if a person's national service status has not been regularized (May 2005)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 25 May 2005 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | DZA43563.FE |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Algeria: Regularization of military service status, including the process followed in Algeria or at an embassy abroad; documents required; consequences of failing to comply with the deadlines for regularization; the possibility of regularization for individuals subject to a wanted notice for avoiding national service; documents issued by the authorities to people who have regularized their status; the possibility of obtaining certain official documents, including a passport, if a person's national service status has not been regularized (May 2005), 25 May 2005, DZA43563.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/440ed6f52.html [accessed 27 May 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. |
Regularization process
According to the Website of the Algerian Embassy in Ottawa, Algerians can apply to be exempted from national service for medical reasons, because they are the [translation] "only family support for relatives, disabled relatives or minors," or because they are over 27 years of age and have a wage-earning job (n.d.b). For further information on the process to obtain an exemption from Algerian national service, consult the embassy's Website:
The Website of the Algerian Embassy in Ottawa indicates that regularization of national service status is offered to draft dodgers from 2002, that is, those who were born in 1982, and to [translation] "citizens from earlier groups who were late to regularize their status and who completed or abandoned their studies by 31 December 2001" (n.d.a). However, according to the consular section at the Algerian Embassy, this regularization is offered to people born in 1983 and earlier (24 May 2005).
Persons concerned must report to Algerian authorities with their birth certificate, a piece of identification, their consular registration card, two photographs and a copy of their diploma (or a certificate indicating abandonment of studies) (Algerian Embassy n.d.a). The embassy also indicated that a certificate of activities and an application form, available on the embassy's Website in Arabic only, must be filled out (ibid.).
In 24 May 2005 correspondence, the consular section of the Algerian Embassy in Ottawa indicated that the process to regularize an individual's national service status is the same in Algeria as it is abroad.
Consequences of failing to comply with the deadlines
The consular section indicated that an Algerian citizen who fails to comply with the deadlines for regularization risks being considered a draft dodger by the Algerian authorities (Algerian Embassy 24 May 2005).
In addition, according to the consular section,
[translation]
[i]t is possible that people in an irregular national service situation may not be issued their passport. However, that possibility has become more remote with the implementation of the regularization measures (ibid.).
For further information on the situation of deserters in Algeria, consult DZA43564.FE of 18 May 2005.
Documents issued by the state
According to the consular section at the Algerian Embassy in Ottawa, two types of documents are issued to people who have regularized their situation: a deferment card (for individuals who are continuing their studies and who have provided evidence of that) and an exemption card (for individuals whose status has been regularized) (24 May 2005).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.
References
Algerian Embassy in Ottawa. 24 May 2005. Correspondence from the consular section.
_____. n.d.a. "Régularisation de situation vis à vis du service national."
_____. n.d.b. "Service national."
