How to apply for asylum? Refugee application process by country

What is asylum?

Asylum is a form of protection that allows a person to remain in a country instead of being removed (deported) to a country where he or she fears persecution or harm. Depending on the legislation of the country where he/she is. People fleeing their countries for fear of persecution have the possibility to apply for asylum. If granted asylum, this gives them protection and the right to remain in that nation. People who are granted asylum are called asylees.

To apply for asylum in a country, you must physically be there or be trying to enter a port of entry.

Asylum application procedure by country

Is asylum seeker the same as refugee?

Under the immigration laws of many countries, a refugee is someone who has been resettled in another nation through the resettlement program. This is a different process than asylum.

What is considered persecution?

Persecution may consist of harm or threats of harm to you or your family or to people close to you. A person can also get asylum if he or she has suffered persecution in his or her country in the past.

You can only get asylum if at least one of the reasons someone did or may do you harm is because of your race, religion, nationality, political opinion (or a political opinion someone thinks you have), or the fact that you are part of a “particular people group.

Laws, procedures and steps vary from country to country. See the section for each country to find complete information about the nation you are looking for.

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