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Federal Iraq Joint UNHCR and PC-MOI Asylum Registration

IraqHumanitarian protection

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

Official link

Explore pathways in Iraq Read the five questions ↓

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

This is asylum: a non-Iraqi national who lives in Iraq and needs international protection can apply for asylum with PC-MOI under Iraqi Political Refugee Law No. 51 of 1971.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The official source does not state the complete answer to this question for this route.
  • UNHCR Iraq page, section 4
    If you are not an Iraqi national, live in Iraq and in need of international protection you can apply for asylum with PC-MOI according to Iraqi Political Refugee Law No. 51 of 1971.

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

A non-Iraqi national who lives in Iraq and needs international protection can apply for asylum with PC-MOI under Iraqi Political Refugee Law No. 51 of 1971.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source does not define every protected-ground, exclusion, or admissibility rule.
  • UNHCR Iraq page, section 4
    If you are not an Iraqi national, live in Iraq and in need of international protection you can apply for asylum with PC-MOI according to Iraqi Political Refugee Law No. 51 of 1971.

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

In-country request in Iraq. A person in Iraq needing international protection who wants to register in any governorate of the Centre and South, Kirkuk or Ninewa submits a registration request to UNHCR (via the UNHCR Help page or UNHCR Helpline 0662330304). After obtaining the proof of residence, the applicant completes the PC-MoI online asylum application form before attending the PC-MoI appointment. A person already in Iraq with a valid visa or residency can still apply, approaching PC-MOI before the residency or visa expires.

See recorded sources
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    If you are an asylum seeker and in need of international protection in Iraq and wish to register with UNHCR and PC-MOI in any governorate within the Center and South, Kirkuk and Ninewa, please submit a registration request with UNHCR following the guidance available at UNHCR Help page or call the UNHCR Helpline at 0662330304 for assistance and information.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    After obtaining the proof of residence, complete the PC-MoI online asylum application form before attending your PC-MoI appointment.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    If you are already in Iraq and have a valid visa or residency you can still apply for Asylum. You should approach PC-MOI before your residency or visa expire and submit your application for assessment in accordance with the law number 51 of 1971.

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

After UNHCR registration the applicant receives a Reference Slip with the basic biodata of the applicant and family members and the PC-MOI appointment date; no UNHCR certificate is issued. Applicants are told to bring all family members who wish to register. On PC-MOI registration a follow-up card is issued immediately, valid 3 months and renewable pending security clearance; if the asylum request is accepted, a Refugee Card is issued. Registered asylum-seekers can regularise their legal status, access essential public services such as health and education, move freely within the same governorate, are protected from refoulement, and may access the market and work legally once the established procedures are completed.

See recorded sources
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    After completing your registration with UNHCR, you will receive a Reference Slip which includes the basic biodata of you and your family members in addition to the appointment date with the Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs to submit your asylum request in Iraq. You will not receive a UNHCR Certificate.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    Bring all family members who wish to register.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    Follow up card is immediately issued upon registration, valid for 3 months and renewable, pending your security clearance. Once your case is scrutinized by PC-MOI and a decision is made a Refugee Card is issued in case of acceptance of your asylum request.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    A. Asylum seekers: Regularize your legal status in Iraq Access essential public services such as health and education. Enjoy freedom of movement within the same governorate Be protected from refoulement. Access market and work legally upon completion of the established procedures by the relevant governmental entities in accordance with Iraqi laws in force.

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

Official channels are the UNHCR Help page or UNHCR Helpline 0662330304, and PC-MOI on 07714187046, Sunday to Thursday 8:00-15:00 (office open the same hours). For urgent legal risks (eviction, arrest, detention, refoulement), UNHCR's legal partner INTERSOS is on 80010222. All PC-MOI services are free of charge; requests for money or suspected fraud should be reported to the Federal Commission of Integrity (free hotline 154 or nazaha.iq).

See recorded sources
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    Visit the UNHCR Help Page or call the UNHCR Helpline at 0662330304 for help.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    PC-MOI office is open from Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 am until 15:00 pm. You can call them on 07714187046 from Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 until 15:00.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    If you need urgent legal assistance due to legal concerns including risks of eviction, arrest, detention, or refoulement, please contact UNHCR’s Legal Partner immediately – call INTERSOS at 80010222.
  • https://help.unhcr.org/iraq/en/pc-moi-en/
    Kindly be informed that all services provided by PC-MOI are free of charge. In case you are aware or suspect any fraudulent activity or if you have been asked for money or anything else in exchange for PC-MOI services, please report the incident to the Federal Commission of Integrity by calling the free hotline 154 from any mobile phone in Iraq or by visiting their websitewww.nazaha.iq

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

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