New UNHCR & PC-MoI Joint Registration Procedures in Centre & South, Kirkuk and Ninewa

PC-MOI is the government entity mandated by Political Refugee Act number 51 of 1971 and the administrative instructions number 4 issued in 2024, to manage refugee affairs, including the registration and documentation of asylum-seekers and refugees in Iraq. PC-MOI operates as part of the Ministry of Interior.

As of 26 April 2026, UNHCR and PC-MOI started a joint process for registration of asylum seekers. PC-MOI is the government entity mandated by the law to manage refugee affairs and the documents issued by PC-MOI provide more protection to asylum seekers in Iraq as it’s a government issued documentation.

If you are not an Iraqi national, live in Iraq and in need of international protection you can apply for asylum with PC-MOI according to Iraqi Political Refugee Law No. 51 of 1971. 

After completing your registration with UNHCR, you will receive a Reference Slip which includes the basic biodata of you and your family members in addition to the appointment date with the Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs to submit your asylum request in Iraq. You will not receive a UNHCR Certificate.

UNHCR will inform PC-MOI about your appointment date and share with them basic information about you and your family members.

This appointment is generally scheduled few days after your registration date with UNHCR to allow you sufficient time to obtain a proof of residence certified by the local authorities in your area of residence in Iraq, which is one of the key requirements to complete the procedures with the PC-MOI. Once you register with PC-MOI you will receive a card issued by PC-MOI .

• Keep your reference slip safe.
• Ensure that you attend your PC-MOI appointment on the scheduled date at PC-MOI location.
• Go to PC-MoI appointment with all family members who wish to register.
• Bring all required documents.

If you are an asylum seeker and in need of international protection in Iraq and wish to register with UNHCR and PC-MOI in any governorate within the Center and South, Kirkuk and Ninewa, please submit a registration request with UNHCR following the guidance available at UNHCR Help page or call the UNHCR Helpline at 0662330304 for assistance and information.

If you are not an Iraqi national, live in Iraq and are in need of international protection, you can apply for asylum with PC-MOI.

1. If you live in Baghdad:

Wait until UNHCR or PC-MOI contact you for a registration appointment or you can visit PC-MOI office directly or call 07714187046 to request an appointment.

2. If you live outside Baghdad:

You will be contacted by PC-MOI and issued an appointment during their next visit to the governorate that you are residing in. Wait until for a call from PC-MOI.

You need to wait until you are contacted by UNHCR for a registration appointment. UNHCR is processing a large number of requests in Center and South governorates which lead to delays. Requests are processed on regular basis following first-come first-served basis. In case you changed your phone number please update it following the guidance on UNHCR help page or by contacting the UNHCR Helpline at 0662330304.

If you need urgent legal assistance due to legal concerns including risks of eviction, arrest, detention, or refoulement, please contact UNHCR’s Legal Partner immediately – call INTERSOS at 80010222.

If you are an asylum seeker  and need to submit an asylum request for the first time:

1. Request an appointment with UNHCR

Visit the UNHCR Help Page or call the UNHCR Helpline at 0662330304 for help.

2. Once you submitted an application, wait for UNHCR to contact you
   UNHCR will call you to provide an appointment and explain the required documents.
3. Attend your UNHCR appointment
4. Bring all your family members and any available documents.
5. Receive your UNHCR Reference Slip

This will include your information and your appointment with PC-MOI. The Reference Slip is not an official ID document. It is used to refer you to PC-MOI registration appointment. The Reference Slip includes your basic information and your PC-MoI appointment date and should be kept safely.

6. Go to your PC-MOI appointment
7. PC-MOI will receive your asylum request  
8. Receive your PC-MOI card

No action is needed, wait for a call from UNHCR or PC-MOI

Registration is the process by which the PC-MOI staff interview you in accordance with the law and collect basic information relevant to your identity and asylum claim. This includes basic biodata (name, age, marital status etc.), information about your asylum request including the reason of flight and fear of return, biometric data (fingerprint, IRIS scan and pictures), information about your family structure, socio-economic data (education, profession etc.). The registration process also includes information necessary for security clearance and result with issuance of PC-MOI card issued by PC-MOI.

PC-MOI will collect the following information from you:

• Full name, mother’s name, gender, date of birth, country and area of origin, birthplace, ethnicity, education and occupation, reasons for leaving your country of origin, date of your arrival in Iraq, and marital status.
• Necessary information about any specific needs (e.g., health conditions) that you or your family members may have to allow for more targeted assistance and support,
• Copies of your identification documents
• Photo, fingerprints, and iris scan for identification.
• Contact information (such as full address and accurate phone number in Iraq) to be able to contact you. Please notify PC-MOI in case your residency is changed.
• Your personal data will be treated confidentially in line with 1971 refugee law and only those required to see it based on their duties will be given access to it.
• Under no circumstances, your personal data will be shared with country of origin.

Security clearance is an essential process of the asylum application to ensure the civilian character of asylum in line with Iraq laws in force and the international law.  In addition, any asylum application is checked by the Directorate of Residence to ensure that the asylum seeker does not hold two legal statuses simultaneously within Iraq.

• Follow up card is immediately issued upon registration, valid for 3 months and renewable, pending your security clearance.
• Once your case is scrutinized  by PC-MOI and a decision is made a Refugee Card is issued in case of acceptance of your asylum request.
• Syrians who arrived before 2019 will receive “Personal Identification Card” in line with the National Security Council Decision No. 9 2019 valid for 6 months and after completing the security clearance it will be issued with one year validity.

The Permanent Committee of Refugee Affairs office in Baghdad is located at Eastern Karrada, National Theatre, Kabab Abu Ali Street, the third neighborhood from the right, in front of the Roman Catholic Church. The link for the location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/bQCRCpApZ3tfyadTA

By registering with PC-MOI and PC-MOI  issued identity documents, you will be able to:

A. Asylum seekers:

• Regularize your legal status in Iraq
• Access essential public services such as health and education.
• Enjoy freedom of movement within the same governorate
• Be protected from refoulement.
• Access market and work legally upon completion of the established procedures by the relevant governmental entities in accordance with Iraqi laws in force.

B. Refugees:

• Regularize your legal status in Iraq
• Access essential public services such as health and education.
• Access to jobs and business market same as Iraqi Nationals
• Enjoy freedom of movement in Iraq.
• Be protected from refoulement.
• Access the job and employment market and work legally upon completion of the established. procedures by the relevant governmental entities in accordance with Iraqi laws in force.
• Access Social Safety Net under MOLSA.

If you are not able to attend to your appointment with PC-MOI, you should call them on 07714187046 to inform them and request another appointment.

If you fail to attend without valid reason and you found to be unreachable by UNHCR and PC-MOI, your application will be considered withdrawn, and your record with both UNHCR and PC-MOI will be closed.

If you failed to show up for your appointment at PC-MOI without a valid reason and you are unreachable, your application will be considered withdrawn and your case with UNHCR will be closed. Without PC-MOI documents you might not be able to access services and might be subject to detention and subsequent deportation under the Law on the Residence of Foreigners No 76 of 2017.

If you missed your PC-MOI appointment, you should contact PC-MOI as soon as possible to request a new appointment.

If you are already in Iraq and have a valid visa or residency you can still apply for Asylum. You should approach PC-MOI before your residency or visa expire and submit your application for assessment in accordance with the law number 51 of 1971. If your life in the country of origin is threatened, you can submit a request for asylum with evidence supporting your claim.

To register with PC-MOI, you should bring all available identity documents available with you including:

• Proof of residence letter in Iraq endorsed by the local authorities.
• Original or copy of National ID or Passport for all family members issued from your country of origin.
• Original or copy Birth Certificate for newly born babies.
• UNHCR Asylum or refugee certificate or UNHCR Reference Slip.
• Marriage certificate.
• Family booklet and any other identity document you may have.
• If you don’t have any original documents, you may present copy of your documents

You can go on your appointment date or call PC-MOI in advance for appointment. PC-MOI office is open from Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 am until 15:00 pm. You can call them on 07714187046 from Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 until 15:00.

If you face challenges in issuing proof of residency from the Mukhtar in the area where you reside, you can contact PC-MOI directly on 07714187046 for the purpose of assistance.  

No, because PC-MOI is composed based on a law, with the senior deputy as chairperson, and representatives from all ministries, as well as security and service formations with Director General rank. Decisions are taken through voting, and there is no room for brokers or contractors to facilitate the legal process.

Kindly be informed that all services provided by PC-MOI are free of charge. In case you are aware or suspect any fraudulent activity or if you have been asked for money or anything else in exchange for PC-MOI services,  please report the incident to the Federal Commission of Integrity by calling the free hotline 154 from any mobile phone in Iraq or by visiting their websitewww.nazaha.iq

All UNHCR services are free of charge. If you or your family members have concerns or information about possible misconduct by UNHCR or another person or entity contracted by UNHCR, including what concerns the handling of your personal data. In that case, you can contact the UNHCR Inspector General’s Office (IGO) through Inspector General’s Office (IGO) Online Complaint Form | UNHCR

Please note however that the IGO does not have the authority to deal with protection or assistance-related requests.