Who is an asylum seeker?
An asylum seeker is a person who has expressed to the Dominican authorities their fear of return to their country of origin, but whose asylum request status hasn’t been decided by the Dominican State.
- Receiving clear, free, and prompt information on the procedures for requesting asylum
- Freedom of movement and not be detained (Article 134 of the Migration Law 284-04)
- Present to the National Refugee Commission (CONARE) all pertinent proof to support the request
- Appeal the decision of CONARE if the request is denied
- Right to an interpreter in your language or one you can understand
- Provide all identification information, tell the truth and do not conceal relevant information
- Provide and facilitate clarification of the events and personal reasons for your application
- Respond to all questions posed and provide documentary information to support arguments
- Justify the reasons for an illegal entry, if it applies
- Notify any change in family composition (birth, marriage, divorce, etc.)
- Do not engage in activities prohibited for foreigners and abstain from leaving the Dominican Republic
- Inform their place of residency and notify the Oficina Nacional de Refugiados/National Refugee Office (ONR) within two (2) days of any changes.