UNHCR Russia
If you require a consultation, you may use the button Call UNHCR on UNHCR Russia Help page.
Calls are free of charge and are answered Monday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If you need assistance outside working hours, and you stay in Russia, please send an email to [email protected] and include your name, country of origin, phone number, and a brief description of your situation.
Please note that UNHCR staff do not receive applicants at the premises of the UNHCR Representation Office in the Russian Federation.
If you require a consultation with a UNHCR staff member in Russia, please indicate this during a call made through the website, in your email, or through a UNHCR partner.
Role of UNHCR in Russia
Russia is a party to the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Therefore, the Government has the responsibility to process asylum claims and to decide whether a person can be given legal protection in Russia.
Please note that UNHCR in Russia:
- Does not register refugees.
- Does not examine asylum applications.
- Does not issue refugee documents or any documents to stateless people – these issues fall under the responsibility of relevant authorities of Russia.
- Does not provide shelter and/or regular financial/humanitarian assistance.
- Does not assist individuals seeking to come to Russia.
- Does not assist individuals staying outside Russia.
- Does not help Russian nationals to leave Russia and seek asylum.
- There are no resettlement programs in Russia.
UNHCR in Russia cooperates with the Government and non-governmental organizations to improve protection of asylum-seekers, refugees and stateless people in Russia. Through its partner organizations, UNHCR in Russia supports legal counselling and assistance on the asylum procedure, protection from refoulement, integration and access to rights.
Please note that, due to limited capacity, UNHCR and its partners are unable to provide free legal assistance in all regions of Russia. UNHCR and its partners may, however, be able to recommend external lawyers in your region of stay or residence. Please note that any lawyers recommended by UNHCR or its partners are independent professionals and are not affiliated with UNHCR or its partners. You are free to decide whether to engage a recommended lawyer and to choose any lawyer of your preference. Any contractual arrangement is concluded directly between you and the lawyer concerned. UNHCR and its partners are not parties to such agreements and cannot intervene in matters arising from your relationship with the lawyer.
Any person or organization offering access to UNHCR and partner organization services for money or favours should be reported to UNHCR immediately at [email protected].