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International Protection: Refugee or Subsidiary Protection

Bosnia and HerzegovinaHumanitarian protection

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s asylum procedure is an individual international-protection process. Under the Law on Asylum, “asylum” comprises refugee status and subsidiary protection; the Ministry assesses each application objectively and impartially. It is not automatic protection or an ordinary visa.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured Law on Asylum is Official Gazette 11/16; no official consolidated text confirming amendments through 2026 was obtained in this run. The Ministry information PDF listed for asylum seekers returned HTTP 404. Do not treat this candidate as proof that a temporary-protection group decision is currently active.
  • No independent literal or legal review has been performed.

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

A foreigner or stateless person may seek refugee status or subsidiary protection. Refugee status concerns a well-founded fear of persecution linked to race, religion, nationality, a particular social group or political opinion. Subsidiary protection may apply where return would create a real risk of serious harm, including execution, torture or inhuman treatment, or a serious individual threat to a civilian’s life or physical integrity from indiscriminate violence in armed conflict. Statutory exclusions apply, and protection is not guaranteed.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured Law on Asylum is Official Gazette 11/16; no official consolidated text confirming amendments through 2026 was obtained in this run. The Ministry information PDF listed for asylum seekers returned HTTP 404. Do not treat this candidate as proof that a temporary-protection group decision is currently active.
  • No independent literal or legal review has been performed.
  • Law on Asylum 11/16, Article 2(p)
    zahtjev za azil je zahtjev koji podnosi stranac, a smatra se zahtjevom za priznavanje izbjegličkog statusa ili statusa supsidijarne zaštite u BiH;
  • Law on Asylum 11/16, Article 19(1)
    Izbjeglički status bit će odobren strancu koji se zbog osnovanog straha od progona zbog svoje rase, vjere, nacionalnosti, pripadnosti određenoj društvenoj grupi ili političkog mišljenja nalazi izvan zemlje svog državljanstva
  • Law on Asylum 11/16, Article 22(1)
    Supsidijarna zaštita odobrava se strancu koji ne ispunjava uslove za odobrenje statusa izbjeglice iz člana 19. ovog zakona ako postoje ozbiljni razlozi za vjerovanje da će se povratkom u zemlju porijekla ili zemlju uobičajenog mjesta boravka suočiti sa stvarnim rizikom od teške povrede ljudskih prava i osnovnih sloboda.
  • Law on Asylum 11/16, Article 22(2)
    smrtna kazna ili pogubljenje, mučenje, nehumano ili ponižavajuće postupanje ili kažnjavanje, ozbiljna i individualna prijetnja životu ili fizičkom integritetu civila zbog općeg nasilja u situacijama međunarodnog ili unutrašnjeg oružanog sukoba.

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

A person can express the intention to seek asylum to the Border Police at a border crossing or to a local organisational unit of the Service for Foreigners' Affairs (SFA). The SFA issues a confirmation directing the person to the Ministry of Security within the stated period; the law sets the confirmation's normal validity at no more than eight days, or 14 days in a mass-intention situation. The asylum application is then filed personally with the Ministry by an adult; a legal representative or guardian applies for a minor, subject to a limited rule for certain minors over 16.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured Law on Asylum is Official Gazette 11/16; no official consolidated text confirming amendments through 2026 was obtained in this run. The Ministry information PDF listed for asylum seekers returned HTTP 404. Do not treat this candidate as proof that a temporary-protection group decision is currently active.
  • No independent literal or legal review has been performed.
  • Law on Asylum 11/16, Article 31(1)
    Namjeru za podnošenje zahtjeva za azil stranac može iskazati:
  • Law on Asylum 11/16, Article 32(1)
    Strancu koji iskaže namjeru za podnošenje zahtjeva za azil organizaciona jedinica Službe izdaje potvrdu o iskazanoj namjeri, kojom određuje pravac kretanja i rok koji je potreban za dolazak u Ministarstvo radi ličnog podnošenja zahtjeva za azil.
  • Law on Asylum 11/16, Article 32(4)
    Rok valjanosti potvrde o iskazanoj namjeri za podnošenje zahtjeva za azil ne može biti duži od osam dana.
  • Law on Asylum 11/16, Article 35(1)
    Punoljetni stranac zahtjev za azil podnosi lično dok za maloljetnog stranca zahtjev podnosi zakonski zastupnik odnosno staratelj.

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

While the claim is pending, the law provides for stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, information in a language the applicant understands, reception accommodation, primary health care, access to primary and secondary education, free legal aid, interpretation and psychosocial assistance. Access to the labour market is conditional: it is available if the Ministry has not decided within nine months for reasons not attributable to the applicant. The Ministry may arrange reception-centre accommodation or, in exceptional high-volume circumstances, suitable alternative accommodation.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured Law on Asylum is Official Gazette 11/16; no official consolidated text confirming amendments through 2026 was obtained in this run. The Ministry information PDF listed for asylum seekers returned HTTP 404. Do not treat this candidate as proof that a temporary-protection group decision is currently active.
  • No independent literal or legal review has been performed.

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

The Ministry of Security's Sector for Asylum evaluates applications, conducts interviews and issues decisions; its Support Department registers asylum seekers, issues applicant and refugee cards, and coordinates interpreters. Initial intent may be expressed to the Border Police at a border crossing or to the Service for Foreigners' Affairs (SFA). The Ministry's published contact channel for the Sector is +387 33 213 623 and kabinet.ministra@msb.gov.ba. The law also protects confidential case information and allows communication with UNHCR.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured Law on Asylum is Official Gazette 11/16; no official consolidated text confirming amendments through 2026 was obtained in this run. The Ministry information PDF listed for asylum seekers returned HTTP 404. Do not treat this candidate as proof that a temporary-protection group decision is currently active.
  • No independent literal or legal review has been performed.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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