Author
Current Practice:
Asylum applications in Egypt are submitted primarily through UNHCR, as there is no independent government-run system for this purpose. Prior to the issuance of Asylum Law No. 164 of 2024, asylum procedures were carried out through UNHCR according to the following steps:
Booking a registration appointment: The asylum seeker begins by scheduling an appointment with the UNHCR office in Egypt, either by phone or by visiting the UNHCR premises in person.
Submitting the application and receiving documentation: During the registration interview, the applicant is asked to present any available identity documents, such as passports or national ID cards. Upon registration, the applicant and accompanying family members receive an asylum seeker registration card.
Visiting the Refugees Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain a reference number.
Visiting the Directorate of Passports, Immigration, and Nationality to obtain a residency permit.
2024 Asylum Law:
Arrival in Egypt and request for protection:
The Egyptian Asylum Law does not regulate the process for submitting an asylum application upon arrival in Egypt, whether through airports, land border crossings, or seaports. However, it stipulates that asylum applications must be submitted directly to the Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs, either by the applicant or through a legal representative. As a result, asylum applications cannot be submitted at border entry points, meaning that the asylum seeker is responsible for finding a way to enter the country before approaching the committee in person.
Submitting the Application:
Under the law, asylum seekers must submit their application to the Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs at its main office in Cairo.
Article 31 of the law requires individuals who entered Egypt irregularly to submit their application within a maximum of 45 days from the date of entry. Failure to do so may result in the automatic rejection of their claim. The law does not specify what documents are required for the application, and these are expected to be outlined in the forthcoming executive regulations.
Applications may be submitted by the asylum seeker personally or through a licensed legal representative, provided that all required documentation is complete and in line with the committee’s conditions.
Authorities responsible for receiving and processing applications:
- The Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs is the sole authority responsible for receiving, reviewing, and deciding on asylum claims.
- UNHCR has no authority over asylum procedures under the Egyptian Asylum Law.
Timeframe for processing asylum applications:
The law distinguishes between asylum seekers who entered the country through regular means and those who entered irregularly:
- For those who entered regularly, the law sets a maximum period of six months for processing the asylum claim.
- For those who entered irregularly, the review period may take up to one year. The reason for this distinction is not clarified in the law. It is unclear whether it serves as a punitive measure or is based on another rationale. The law also states that priority should be given to women, children, and persons with disabilities in processing applications.