How to request asylum in the Dominican Republic?
Any foreigner in the Dominican Republic who has a well-founded fear of suffering harm against their life, integrity, or safety in their country of origin has a right to present an asylum request before the Dominican asylum System. This application must be presented within the first 15 days after arrival to the country.
The National Office for Refugees (ONR) is responsible for receiving applications for asylum. All the possible documents to support the asylum request should be submitted through them. UNHCR can provide free legal counselling regarding your asylum application and provide support throughout the process.
The National Commission for Refugees (CONARE) is the interinstitutional authority responsible for determining who can benefit from a refugee status. They must evaluate the applications objectively and without discrimination, and give a positive or negative response to the request.
It is important to highlight that the person requesting asylum who carries this document is not authorized to engage in paid work.
Requirements to request asylum in the Dominican Republic:
1Be present in the Dominican Republic
You can inform the authorities about your intention to request asylum at airports, ports, and borders. This application must be submitted within the first 15 days after arrival in the country.
2Gather all possible supporting documents
- Passport or national identity document. If you don’t have a document, you can do a sworn declaration before the National Refugee Office (ONR)
- A medical certificate that states whether the requesting person has any infectious disease
- Four (4) 2×2-inch passport photos, and two (2) side profile photos
- Written testimony explaining why you can’t return to your country of origin; and
- Any relevant available document that supports your request (photos, certificates, videos, reports, etc.)
3Go to the National Refugee Office (ONR)
4Interview with ONR
People requesting refugee status attend an interview in which they will be asked about the events that led them to flee their country of origin. All the information shared during the interview is completely confidential, and what they say will not be shared externally or with authorities in their country of origin or where they were persecuted.
It’s very important that during the interview the person requesting asylum shares openly and orderly the events that led to abandoning their country of origin, and to explain their fear of returning to their country. At the end of the interview, the person requesting asylum must sign a transcription of the interview to attest that they have completed their deposition.
5Evidence of the application for refugee status
An evidence document will be handed to the person requesting asylum that allows them to remain in Dominican territory until a decision is finalized regarding their request. This document guarantees a temporary regular stay while the authorities analyze your case. This document protects the person from deportation to the country where their life is in danger. The evidence document is free of charge and will be provided to all people, including children. It is mandatory to carry it at all times and renew it at ONR every 30 days.