Rights and responsibilities of asylum-seekers

Asylum-seeker’s rights

  1. An asylum-seeker has the right to consultation on asylum procedures at the crossing point of the Armenian state border, if he/she is requesting protection (seeking asylum).
  2. An asylum-seeker has the right to legal residence in Armenia until the final decision on asylum application is made, including the period of appealing the negative decision in court.
  3. An asylum-seeker has the right to contact UNHCR at any time.
  4. An asylum-seeker has the right to reside in the Reception Center, to get food and hygienic kits during the entire period of asylum application processing, if there is a free room.
  5. In case of the Reception Center is fully accommodated, an asylum-seeker has the right to apply to Migration Service for financial support for renting an apartment, which is provided for supporting the most vulnerable persons.
  6. An unaccompanied or separated child has the right to prioritized accommodation in the Reception Center or other special institutions prescribed by the law, as well as the right to have a guardian/custodian and representative.
  7. In case of mental illness or other morbid conditions, an asylum-seeker has the right to have a representative/guardian.
  8. An asylum-seeker has the right to freedom of movement within the territory of Armenia.
  9. An asylum-seeker has the right not to bear criminal or administrative liability for illegal entry or stay in Armenia.
  10. An asylum-seeker has the right to free legal aid by the Office of the Public Defender.
  11. An asylum-seeker has the right to interview with participation of an interpreter of his/her preferred gender free of charge.
  12. An asylum-seeker has the right to acquisition and transfer of movable property, renting immovable property, as well as other property similar to Armenian citizens.
  13. An asylum-seeker has the right to seek and find employment in any sphere similar to Armenian citizens,, with the exception of vacancies in state and local self-government bodies. The ID card of an asylum-seeker issued by the Migration Service and other documents proceeding from it, as prescribed by the law, are considered documents verifying the labor right.
  14. An asylum-seeker has the right to secondary and higher education similar to Armenian citizens.
  15. An asylum-seeker has the right to free emergency and ambulatory medical care; persons under 18 also have the possibility of free hospital medical care.
  16. An asylum-seeker has the right to appeal to the court against Migration Service negative decision.
  17. An asylum-seeker has the right to be free from state fees in case of appealing to the court against Migration Service negative decision.
  18. An asylum-seeker has the right to protection of personal data.
  19. An asylum-seeker cannot be returned to his/her country of origin against his/her will.

Asylum-seeker’s responsibilities

An asylum-seeker has to respect the legal interests, rights and freedoms of the RA citizens and other persons, maintain public order and the Republic of Armenia security.

  1. An asylum-seeker has to cooperate with the Migration Service, providing them with detailed and correct information;
  2. An asylum-seeker has to provide all available documents to the Migration Service;
  3. An asylum-seeker has to come to the interview on date and time appointed by the Migration Service. In case of not coming, he/she has to introduce a reasonable excuse for absence to the Migration Service;
  4. An asylum-seeker has to apply to the Migration Service to prolong the Asylum-seeker ID card at least three working days prior to the expiry of its validity;
  5. An asylum-seeker has to maintain internal house rules in the Reception Center;
  6. An asylum-seeker has to follow the requirements of the Republic of Armenia legislation;
  7. An asylum-seeker has to pay all taxes, duties and other compulsory fees as Armenian citizens.