Refugee status in Romania

Asylum (international protection) is a form of protection that allows a foreign or stateless person to remain in Romania if they cannot return to their country or region of origin.

The specially designated official issues a decision, whereby they: recognize refugee status; or grant subsidiary protection; or reject the asylum application.

Any foreigner who has left their country because they fear persecution, serious or systematic violation of human rights or armed conflict and as such may be in need of international protection can apply for asylum.

The asylum application may be filed by any foreigner who is in Romania or at a border crossing point.

Asylum applications are submitted personally by foreigners who find themselves in Romania or at a checkpoint for crossing the state border.

Applications for asylum made outside Romania are not admitted.

After receipt of the asylum application the applicant will complete a preliminary interview in order to collect his personal data and those of his family members, the route he has followed from his home country to Romania, the data on possible asylum applications submitted in other third countries or in a member state of the European Union, as well as travel or identity documents in his possession.

Together with the asylum application, the staff of the General Inspectorate for Immigration or the staff of the other competent authorities collect fingerprints of the asylum seekers who, according to the identity data proved or declared, have attained the age of 14.

The asylum seeker is obliged to submit all the documents that they have at their disposal and are relevant to their personal situation, as well as the document for crossing the state border, and consequently they will receive the temporary identity document for asylum seekers issued by the General Inspectorate for Immigration.

During the asylum procedure the asylum seeker has the right to stay in Romania and is protected against expulsion, extradition or forced return from the border or from the Romanian territory.

The official competent to settle the asylum application issues their decision within 30 days after taking over the case. If the settlement of the asylum application requires additional documentation, the time limit shall be extended by cumulative periods not exceeding 6 months.

Residence permits are issued as soon as possible after the granting of international protection in Romania, for a period of 3 years in the case of individuals having received refugee status, or for a period of 2 years, for persons who were granted protection subsidiary. After expiration, a new residence permit with the same validity period will be issued. There are no fees for issuing the residence permit.

The authorities competent to receive an application for asylum are: – the structures of the General Inspectorate for Immigration; – the Border Police structures; – the police units in which are formed and operate centers for custody and provisional detention; – the structures of the National Administration of Penitentiaries functioning within the Ministry of Justice.

The territorial competence to receive, register and process the asylum applications belongs to the regional centers for procedures and accommodation for asylum seekers under the Asylum and Integration Directorate, respectively the Bucharest Center, the Timișoara Center, the Galați Center, the Radauți Center, the Maramureș Center and the Giurgiu Center.