UNHCR Asylum Registration and Refugee Status Determination

The first step of the asylum process is registration. In this process, UNHCR records and verifies your information.

During the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) interview we will collect all information related to your asylum claim for UNHCR to determine whether you are a refugee or not. During the RSD interview, you will be given the opportunity to present all the information on the reasons that you left your country and why you cannot go back. Withholding or failure to reveal such information without reasonable justification will negatively affect the processing of your case and may lead to a negative decision. All the information you provide to UNHCR during the interview will be kept strictly confidential.

Individuals registered with UNHCR will be provided with a UNHCR ID card. The ID card recognizes that the holder is under UNHCR’s protection. It is not a travel document or visa.

If you fear you will be harmed if you return to your country of origin, you can apply for asylum by registering your claim with UNHCR.

The reasons why you left your home country and why you are afraid to return.

To apply for registration, please write to [email protected] informing UNHCR about your desire to apply for asylum and include the following:

A copy of your valid Police Registration Form (or “Registration Form of Temporary Residence” 临时住宿登记表) from the local police station in the area of your residence in China.

A copy of your passport pages showing (1) your identity, (2) visa for China and (3) the date of your entry into China.

Your basic biodata, including your full name, nationality, passport number, phone number, date of arrival in China, address in China (preferably in Chinese), preferred language for interview.

UNHCR will inform you of the appointment for your registration interview after your Police Registration Form is confirmed valid. This process usually takes 6-8 weeks.

The registration interview will take place in-person in the UNHCR office in Beijing. On the day of the registration interview, you should bring along your passport and any other documents that prove your identity. You will also need to present your valid local police registration form (临时住宿登记表) and any other documents that can prove your current address.

Yes. Please inform the Office of your preferred language and we will make the arrangement.

With a valid UNHCR asylum-seeker or refugee ID card, you are protected against deportation to your home country.

Refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in China are permitted to stay in China.

Register with the local police station as required by Chinese Exit and Entry Administration Law.

Renew your UNHCR ID card on time.

If you have changed your contact information such as phone number, email address, or place of residence or if there is any change of personal circumstances including family composition, please inform UNHCR via email immediately, indicating your UNHCR case number and name in the email subject.

All adult family members (above 18) will be interviewed separately and children of 16 years and older may be separately interviewed as well.

Please be informed that UNHCR provides limited financial assistance to vulnerable refugees. If you consider yourself in need of financial assistance, please write to [email protected] with a request, clearly stating why you require this assistance.

Due to the high volume of applications, you may need to wait for several months to receive our decision.

You have the right to make an appeal within 15 days of the negative decision either by email or by post in your preferred language.

Your appeal will be reviewed by different RSD officers than those who made the negative decision.

We use email as the primary channel of contact with UNHCR.

Telephone counselling: 010-65326806 (2-5 pm on Wednesdays)

ALL services provided by UNHCR are FREE of charge

If you believe you are in immediate danger, call the police at ? 110 or the ambulance at ? 120.

But please be aware that UNHCR is not a first responder, so we do not have the capacity to reach you immediately or provide you with physical protection or medical support ourselves.

Provide UNHCR with truthful and complete information. Committing any fraud while accessing UNHCR’s services will have negative consequences on processing your case and/or your eligibility for services.