Syria: Description of the Refugee Certificate issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria in 2007
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 3 April 2008 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SYR102798.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Syria: Description of the Refugee Certificate issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Syria in 2007, 3 April 2008, SYR102798.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4829b5572c.html [accessed 2 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. |
A protection officer at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provided the following information to the Research Directorate in correspondence dated 23 March 2008:
(1) Since January 2007, UNHCR Syria issues two different types of Refugee Certificates: one is for Iraqis recognised prima facie and the other is for the non-Iraqi refugees who undergo individual Refugee Status Determination. The validity of both documents is for one year from the date of issue
(2) The Refugee Certificate for Iraqis is printed on secure paper (A4 size) which bears a unique serial number on its back side and has a watermark (similar to the watermark of banknotes). It also bears a stamp (ink seal) at the bottom (right hand-side) as well as a dry seal (part of it on the holder's photo and part of it on the body of the A4 paper)
(3) The Refugee Certificate for Non-Iraqis is printed on plain A4 paper and a photo (usually of IC [individual case] and his dependents) is affixed to it. The certificate is stamped with an ink seal at the bottom (usually on or next to the signature of the UNHCR Official endorsing it) as well as with a dry seal (half on affixed photograph and half on the body of the A4 paper)
(4) A number of Iraqi refugees as well as Palestinians ex-Iraq who approached the Office prior to January 2007, were issued with Temporary Protection letters. Those letters are no longer valid and their holders should approach UNHCR Syria to replace them with Refugee Certificates.
The certificates also contain a photo of the bearer and the following data: name, UNHCR registration number, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, date of entry in Syria and place of entry (UN 23 Mar. 2008). At the bottom of the certificates, a generic comment explains the purpose of the certificate (ibid.).
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.
Reference
United Nations (UN). 23 March 2008. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Correspondence from a protection officer.
