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Asylum / Refugee Status Procedure

El SalvadorHumanitarian protection

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

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Explore pathways in El Salvador Read the five questions ↓

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

Refugee status determination (asylum request) decided by CODER, the Commission for the Determination of Refugee Status, the only authority that decides who is recognised as a refugee in El Salvador. Political asylum is a separate mechanism granted only at the discretion of the President of the Republic.

See recorded sources

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

People who had to flee their country because their life or safety is at risk and cannot return, for example because of violence, internal conflict, war, or fear of persecution for political opinion, race, religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group.

See recorded sources
  • https://help.unhcr.org/elsalvador/solicitando-la-condicion-de-refugiado/
    Las personas refugiadas son aquellas que tuvieron que huir de su país porque sus vidas o integridad corren riesgo, y no pueden regresar. Algunos motivos por los que las personas huyen son la violencia, los conflictos internos, la guerra o porque temen ser perseguidos a causa de sus opiniones políticas, raza, religión, nacionalidad o su pertenencia a un determinado grupo social.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/elsalvador/solicitando-la-condicion-de-refugiado/
    Si tienes miedo de volver a tu país porque tu vida o seguridad están en peligro, podrías ser una persona refugiada y tienes derecho a buscar protección en El Salvador a través de la CODER, la Comisión para la Determinación de la condición de persona Refugiada.

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

In-country or at the border: apply at CODER's offices at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or tell a DGME official at the airport or border post (or a GAMI officer at the CAIPEM centre). The request may be oral or written and should be made within five business days of entry; otherwise the reason for the delay must be explained. Free legal representation is available from the Procuraduría General de la República.

See recorded sources

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

CODER notifies an interview date and interviews the applicant and family; the applicant explains why they fled (evidence helps but is not required). If the claim is not admitted, an appeal can be filed within 3 business days. If admitted, DGME issues a provisional permanence card valid nationwide for 30 days, renewable until the final decision; by law this card allows paid work, self-employed or employed. If recognised, the refugee obtains a special temporary permanence card with work permission; if refused, a written review can be requested within 3 business days.

See recorded sources

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

Competent authority: CODER (Legal Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Antiguo Cuscatlán; phones (503) 2231-1025 / 2231-1037 / 7070-1388). UNHCR (ACNUR) El Salvador runs a free, confidential helpline 800-7096 (8:00-17:00). All services in the procedure are free.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No specific fraud or scam warning was found in the sources; the CODER e-mail address is obfuscated in the captured page.

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

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