Seeking asylum is an act of hope and courage. Asylum seekers are people who have had to leave their country due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted, experiencing violence, or being affected by armed conflict, whether for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinions, or membership in a particular social group.
If you are in Aruba and fear returning to your country of origin, this section is designed to help you understand your rights and the process for requesting international protection.
Remember: both the application and the appointment are free of charge. At no point should you be asked to pay for the asylum form, its processing, or to book an appointment. If anyone asks you for a payment, do not accept it and report the incident to UNHCR immediately.
Who is a refugee and who is an asylum seeker?
An asylum seeker is a person who has left their country and has requested international protection in a country other than the one of their nationality or habitual residence, but has not yet received an official decision on their application. This person seeks to be recognized as a refugee because they fear being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinions.
A refugee is a person who is outside their country and has well-founded fears of returning due to the risk of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinions. Since they cannot rely on the protection of their own country, the refugee seeks protection from the country in which they are located—in this case, Aruba.
How to apply for refugee status in Aruba?
If you are at the border or at a port of entry
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Ask the immigration officer for the asylum application form in the language of your choice.
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Fill out the form completely, providing all the required information.
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Submit the completed form to the immigration officer — there is no cost.
If you are already in Aruba
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Visit the website of the Department of Integration, Management and Admission of Foreigners (DIMAS).
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Select your language and follow the instructions to schedule an online appointment to apply for asylum — this process is free of charge.
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Attend your appointment in person and submit your completed form along with any supporting documents.
What happens after applying for asylum?
Interviews
You and the members of your family group will participate in at least one interview with a DIMAS eligibility officer. During the interview, the officer will ask detailed questions about the events that forced you to leave your country of origin.
What to bring to your appointment:
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The email confirming your appointment
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A recent photograph
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Your original identification document and a clear copy of it
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If you have any documents that support your protection claim, bring copies of them
Appeal in case of a negative decision
You may file an objection directly with DIMAS or an appeal before the Court of Aruba if you believe you meet the criteria to be recognized as a refugee. These remedies must be submitted within a maximum period of six weeks, counted from the day after the decision denying your asylum application is issued.
The objection process is free of charge and you should receive a response within a maximum of 12 weeks. The appeal costs 25 florins and normally takes a minimum of 6 months.
At UNHCR, we can provide you with additional information on this matter and, depending on your case, refer you to a lawyer.