Refugee Status Determination (RSD) is an individual process that is carried out for each person seeking international protection. The primary objective of an RSD process is to explore in detail why a person seeking asylum cannot return to their country of origin or habitual residence. During the RSD interview, the person seeking asylum will be asked questions about their family, their background, education, occupation and general personal circumstances. The RSD interview will particularly focus on the reasons why the person left their country and cannot return. Based on the statements provided by the person during the interview as well as information and reports about what is happening in the person’s country of origin at the time of the interview, the RSD Unit will assess the individual case and determine whether the person qualifies for refugee status.
Refugee status determination processing time
That depends on the details of your case. Each case is considered individually. Because of the high number of applications we receive, you may need to wait several months to receive your results or even be called for another interview to ask you more questions before completing your case. We appreciate your understanding and patience. The RSD Unit tries its best to finalise RSD decisions within 3 months of your last RSD interview, but due to high volumes of cases, it is not always possible to stick to this timeline. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
It is important you keep UNHCR updated on your phone number, email or other contact information. We will use these details if we need to contact you to come in for another interview or for any other follow up.
If 12 months have passed and you have still not received the outcome of your refugee status determination interview, please email us at [email protected] with the subject line “case number/ RSD decision inquiry“, call our toll free number 1800-1035635.
Decision notification
As for the decision notifications, individuals will be notified remotely in the same way as the remote interviews. Each individual will be informed of the method, location and date of their notification by call or/and email
The process to appeal a negative RSD decision
You have the right to appeal if your application for refugee status is rejected for the first time. UNHCR issues a ‘notification of rejection’ decision along with a blank appeal form. You have 30 days from the date of receiving the decision, to submit this appeal form to UNHCR. Please submit your appeal to [email protected] with case number/appeal in the subject line.
IT IS NOT PERMITTED FOR YOU TO RECORD ANY CALL OR INTERVIEW MADE BY UNHCR. THIS IS A BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY. IF UNHCR DISCOVERS THAT YOU HAVE RECORDED A CALL OR AN INTERVIEW, THIS WILL BE NOTED IN YOUR FILE.
Please note that ALL services provided by UNHCR, including registration, are provided for FREE.