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Refugee Status and Applicant Documentation

PanamaHumanitarian protection

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

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Explore pathways in Panama Read the five questions ↓

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

Refugee status determination (asylum) governed by Executive Decree No. 5 of 16 January 2018; the procedure has two stages: first, application and file preparation before ONPAR (National Office for Refugee Attention), and second, determination of refugee status by CONARE (National Commission for Refugee Protection).

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

Persons outside their country of nationality or habitual residence owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for one or more of: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, membership of a particular social group, or gender.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.mingob.gob.pa/onpar/tramite-de-solicitud-de-refugio/
    Para demostrar que una persona amerita la condición de refugiado, se requiere lo siguiente: Usted está fuera de su país de nacionalidad o residencia habitual; Por temor fundado de persecución El motivo de la persecución que Usted teme es uno, o varios de los siguientes: Su raza; Su religión; Su nacionalidad; Su opinión política; Por pertenencia a determinado grupo social; Por su género. (D.E. 5, Arts. 5)

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

In-country application to ONPAR, to be filed within six (6) months counted from the business day after entering the country (Article 30); if a written application is not possible it may be made verbally and recorded. The applicant fills in every section of the application form and is then interviewed at ONPAR. Non-refoulement applies from the moment the person states, orally or in writing, to the primary receiving authority the intention to apply, and includes a prohibition of rejection at the border.

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

Family members and dependants are included in the application form. If ONPAR finds the criteria met, the claim is admitted and sent to CONARE; if not admitted, the applicant has five (5) business days from notification to request reconsideration before ONPAR. Applicants and their basic family unit have: no rejection at the border, no penalty for irregular entry, protection from expulsion and refoulement, lawful stay as an applicant, and access to health care, education and housing. Leaving Panama before a decision cancels the process.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.mingob.gob.pa/onpar/tramite-de-solicitud-de-refugio/
    Usted debe incluir la información de sus familiares y dependientes en el formulario de solicitud de la condición de refugiado.
  • https://www.mingob.gob.pa/onpar/tramite-de-solicitud-de-refugio/
    Si la ONPAR determina que su solicitud reúne los criterios establecidos en el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 5 de 2018, ésta será admitida a trámite y su caso se presentara ante la CONARE.  Si la ONPAR determina que su solicitud no reúne los criterios establecidos  en en el Decreto Ejecutivo No.5 de 2018,  se  niega la admisión a trámite y se concede a la persona solicitante un terminó de cinco (5) días hábiles,  a partir de la notificación de la resolución para presentar recurso de reconsideración ante la ONPAR. (D.E. 5, Art. 43)
  • https://www.mingob.gob.pa/onpar/tramite-de-solicitud-de-refugio/
    son derechos de los solicitantes de la condición de refugiado y su núcleo familiar básico, los siguientes: El «no rechazo» en la frontera o puesto de entrada al país. La no sanción por ingreso al país en forma irregular. La prohibición de expulsión y devolución (non-refoulement) al país donde se suscitan los hechos que le obligan a solicitar protección internacional. La permanencia legal dentro del territorio nacional bajo la condición de solicitante. Derecho a acceder a la atención de salud, educación y vivienda.
  • https://www.mingob.gob.pa/onpar/tramite-de-solicitud-de-refugio/
    SALIR de PANAMÁ.Antes de tener una decisión de tu caso, si sales de Panamá tu proceso legal será cancelado; se puede complicar la posibilidad de tener protección en Panamá.
  • https://www.mingob.gob.pa/onpar/tramite-de-solicitud-de-refugio/
    Si la CONARE le otorga la condición de refugiado, el Servicio Nacional de Migración le emitirá un documento (carné de refugiado) válido por un año renovable y tendrá derecho a tramitar un permiso de trabajo válido por el mismo período. (E. 5, Capítulo XII)
  • https://www.migracion.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/3-Unidad-de-Transeuntes-Tramites-para-Refugiados.pdf
    DE REFUGIADOS: ü Copia de la resolución de ONPAR ü 5.00 balboas de registro ü 10.00 balboas pago del carné

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

ONPAR (Ministry of Government) is the government office responsible for refugees; CONARE takes the final decision. Applicants have the right to speak with UNHCR (ACNUR). All refugee-status procedures are free of charge. The official source warns that false or fraudulent information or documents may lead to non-admission, and fraudulent information or leaving Panama is grounds for rejection. ONPAR address: Vía Ricardo J Alfaro, entrance of Condado del Rey, Condado Business Center, Tower 1, floor 2.

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

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