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International Protection Application

MaltaHumanitarian protection

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

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Explore pathways in Malta Read the five questions ↓

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

An application for international protection (asylum) in Malta, registered by the International Protection Agency (IPA); once registered, the applicant is an asylum seeker entitled to remain in Malta pending a decision on the application.

See recorded sources

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

Third-country nationals or stateless persons. Refugee status: a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group (1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees). Subsidiary protection: persons who do not qualify for refugee status but are at risk of serious harm if returned to their country of origin or place of habitual residence, on the basis of the death penalty or execution; torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or a serious and individual threat to a civilian's life or person due to indiscriminate violence in a situation of an ongoing armed conflict.

See recorded sources
  • https://ipa.gov.mt/asylum-procedures/types-of-protection/
    Refugee status means a recognition that a third-country national or a stateless person is a refugee according to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution due to one (or more) of the following reasons: Race Religion Nationality Political opinion Membership of a particular social group
  • https://ipa.gov.mt/asylum-procedures/types-of-protection/
    Subsidiary protection is granted to third-country nationals or stateless persons who do not qualify for refugee status but who nonetheless are at risk of serious harm if returned to their country of origin or place of habitual residence, on the basis of one of the following: Death penalty or execution Torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Serious and individual threat to a civilian’s life or person due to indiscriminate violence in a situation of an ongoing armed conflict

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

The request is made to the International Protection Agency (IPA): persons who wish to apply for international protection contact the IPA by email (frontoffice@ipa.gov.mt) or phone ((+356) 21255257) to book an appointment at its premises; once the person expresses the wish to apply, the IPA registers the application, and if the application is determined to be examined in Malta, an IPA officer gives an appointment to lodge it. The IPA may complete registration and lodging together in the same appointment.

See recorded sources

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

At registration an IPA officer explains rights and obligations, an interpreter is provided if required, and the Registration Form covers country of origin, education, work, family in the European Union and travel route; failure to provide fingerprints may lead to the application being discontinued. The applicant receives a Personal Details Form proving asylum-seeker status and the right to remain in Malta pending a decision. At lodging, questions cover family members and the reasons for asking for protection, and an Asylum Seeker's Document with an expiry date is issued, which the applicant must renew on time. The official source does not state reception support or work rights during the procedure.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Reception support (accommodation, welfare, health) and work rights for asylum seekers not stated in the captured pages.

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

The International Protection Agency (IPA) handles the application; appointments are booked by email (frontoffice@ipa.gov.mt) or phone ((+356) 21255257), Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 08:00 am to 12:00 pm.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No fraud/scam warning or UN/legal-aid channel stated on the captured pages.

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

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