How to apply for asylum

How to apply for asylum?

If you are at the border or any port of entry (e.g. airport) in Aruba, you can apply for asylum at the migration official by completing a form in the desired language. If you are already on the island you can apply for asylum at Department of Integration and Management and Admission of Foreigners by scheduling an appointment online.

Applying for asylum is free. You should not be charged or requested to make payment for your asylum application. If you are asked to make a payment throughout the process, please report the situation to UNHCR.

Scheduling an appointment is free. You should not be charged or requested to make a payment to schedule an appointment or by assisting you to schedule an appointment.

If you are asked to make a payment during process of scheduling an appointment, please report the situation to UNHCR.

While awaiting determination of your asylum claim you must stay in Aruba.

Who can apply for asylum?

Any foreign national or stateless person at a border point or within the territory of Aruba may apply for asylum, regardless of age, sex, gender, nationality, race, religion or political opinion if he or she fears to return to his or her country of origin because a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.

Registration

DIMAS is responsible for registering and conducting refugee status determination procedures in the country.

To register and apply for asylum you need to schedule an appointment with DIMAS. You can schedule an appointment online. Instructions on how to schedule an appointment are provided below.

How to schedule an appointment?

  1. Go to DIMAS website: dimasaruba.aw
    • To change the website’s language in Spanish:
      • Go to the right side of the page and click on the black arrow next to “Nederlands“
      • A drop-down menu will appear, and you can select Spanish or your preferred language
  2. Once you have selected your preferred language you can scroll down the page and click on “Hacer una Cita”
  3. After you have clicked on the box a window will appear with instructions on how to schedule appointment online. Scroll down on this page until you see 3 blue boxes. Click on the box that says “Proteccion (AAT)”
  4. A page will appear where you can select the month you would like to schedule an appointment
  5. After selecting the desired month, you can select a date and time that is available (available dates are shown in green)
  6. Once you have selected a date a registration form will appear, and you will need to complete the form for your appointment to be confirmed. Once completed, you can click submit and you will receive an appointment confirmation on the screen and in your email. Keep in mind the form is in English

What to bring to your appointment?

  • Your appointment confirmation email
  • One picture
  • Your original identification and a copy of your identification