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Asylum / Refugee Status Application

GuatemalaHumanitarian 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?

Asylum or refugee-status protection: the mechanism is an application for asylum or a request for recognition as a refugee.

See recorded sources
  • Mechanism paragraph
    This is also called an application for asylum or a request for refugee status.

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

It is for a person who has left their country and fears return because their life, integrity, liberty or security is in danger. Access must also be available without discrimination, including regardless of nationality, age, gender, political opinion, religion, race or sexual orientation.

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  • Opening eligibility paragraph
    If you have left your country and are afraid to return because your life, integrity, liberty, or security is in danger, you have the right to request protection as a refugee.
  • Non-discrimination note paragraph
    Access to the right to seek and receive asylum must be guaranteed without discrimination. In other words, any person needing protection may file an asylum application regardless of nationality, age, gender, political opinion, religion, race, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics. Children and adolescents also have this right, even when travelling alone..

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

Applicants in Guatemala City are directed to the Department for the Recognition of Refugee Status (DRER) at 7a Avenida, 14-44, Zona 9, Edificio La Galería, Office 15B, second level. A person cannot apply from their country of origin and must have left their country of origin or usual residence.

See recorded sources
  • DRER location paragraph
    In Guatemala City you can approach the Department for the Recognition of Refugee Status (DRER): 7a Avenida, 14-44, Zona 9, Edificio La Galería, Office 15B, second level.
  • Cannot apply from country of origin paragraph
    It is not possible to apply for asylum from your own country of origin. You must have left your country of origin or usual residence to apply for asylum in another country.

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

The application is free, assessed individually by the relevant authorities, and kept confidential. Documents or evidence are not required to submit an application, although available evidence may be presented. The process takes time, and non-refoulement protects against return to a place where life, integrity, liberty or security is at risk.

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  • Cost and individual assessment paragraph
    The application is free of charge and your case must be evaluated on an individual basis by the relevant authorities of the country where you submit your application.
  • Confidentiality paragraph
    All information will be kept confidential and will not be shared with persons or authorities in your home country.
  • Documents-not-required paragraph
    The submission of documents or evidence is not a requirement to apply. However, if you have them, do not hesitate to present them.
  • Process-takes-time paragraph
    It is a process that takes time . Submitting your application to the relevant authority is only the first step in the process of obtaining recognition as a refugee by a country.
  • Non-refoulement paragraph
    Non-return: States are obliged not to return any person to a country or territory where their life, integrity, liberty or security is at risk. This is called the principle of non-refoulement and it means that you cannot be returned to your country of origin without first having the right to submit your asylum application and have it examined by the relevant authorities. No public official should deny you access to Guatemalan territory, and you should not be expelled to the country you are afraid to return to

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

The competent channel is Guatemala's Department for the Recognition of Refugee Status (DRER) in Guatemala City. The UNHCR Guatemala page is an official assistance and information source; it does not guarantee recognition or protection.

See recorded sources
  • DRER location paragraph
    In Guatemala City you can approach the Department for the Recognition of Refugee Status (DRER): 7a Avenida, 14-44, Zona 9, Edificio La Galería, Office 15B, second level.

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

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