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If you are at the Panama Airport and want to apply for refugee status, you must inform the SNM Migration officer that you want to apply. You will then fill out an application form explaining why you left your country and why you cannot return. The entire refugee status recognition procedure is completely free, and you can request free legal orientation and presentation at the office of the UNHCR or the Norwegian Refugee Council. If you are a minor who is alone, an officer of the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (SENNIAF) will accompany you in the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who to inform at the airport | SNM Migration officer |
| Who to contact if already in Panama | ONPAR Office (Atención Ciudadana 3- 1-1 or 512 7228 / 512-7229, 512-7230) |
| Who to make the written request to | National Office for the Attention of Refugees (ONPAR) or the primary receiving authority, the officials of the National Migration Service or the police |
| Who to contact for work permits | ONPAR, CEALP, Asylum Access or the Norwegian Refugee Council |
| Who to contact for free legal orientation | UNHCR or the Norwegian Refugee Council |
| Who to contact if a minor and alone | National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (SENNIAF) |
| Who to contact if you need a translator or interpreter | ONPAR |
| Who to contact if you need to be returned to your country of origin | Organizations listed in this document |
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What You'll Learn
- Inform a SNM Migration officer at the airport of your intention to seek asylum
- Submit a written request for refugee status
- Fill out an application form explaining why you cannot return to your country
- Attend an interview with an ONPAR official to verify your application
- Receive a provisional identification document if your application is admitted
Inform a SNM Migration officer at the airport of your intention to seek asylum
If you are at the Panama Airport and want to seek asylum, you must inform a SNM Migration officer of your intention to apply for refugee status. This is the first step in the process.
The SNM Migration officer will be the official who receives you at the airport. They will provide you with a provisional identification document valid for six months, renewable, if your application is admitted to the procedure. This document is important, and you should carry it with you at all times. It identifies you as an applicant for refugee status in Panama and must be shown to any Immigration or Police officer who asks about your immigration status.
After informing the SNM Migration officer, you should contact the ONPAR Office to make an appointment for the presentation of your application. You can do this by calling Atención Ciudadana 3-1-1 or 512 7228 / 512-7229, 512-7230. You can also make a written request for refugee status to ONPAR, either in person or through a legal representative, an NGO, or the UNHCR.
Once you have made your written request, you will fill out an application form online. This form will require you to explain why you left your country and why you cannot return. After submitting your application, you will be issued a certificate of asylum seeker, which you must also carry with you at all times. It is important to note that once you have submitted your application, you should not leave Panama, as this will be considered a renunciation of the process.
Following the submission of your application, you will be assigned a date for a registration interview. An ONPAR official will interview you in person to verify the information you submitted. You must bring all necessary documents, including the certificate of asylum seeker, to this interview. If you are with relatives, each individual will be interviewed separately.
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Submit a written request for refugee status
If you are at the Panama Airport, you must inform the SNM Migration officer that you wish to apply for refugee status. If you have already entered Panamanian territory, you should call the ONPAR Office to make an appointment for the presentation of your application.
The written request for refugee status may be made personally or through a legal representative, an NGO, or the UNHCR, before the National Office for the Attention of Refugees (ONPAR) or the primary receiving authority, the officials of the National Migration Service or the police, who will inform ONPAR within 24 hours.
The written request for refugee status can be made by completing an application form online. The applicant will be given an induction on their rights and duties as an applicant for refugee status and on the procedure in accordance with Panamanian legislation. The data provided in the application will be validated, and the applicant and their basic family unit will have their photograph taken.
After submitting the application, the applicant will be issued an asylum seeker certificate, which they must always carry with them. They will then be assigned a date for the registration interview. During the interview, an ONPAR official will verify the information submitted in the application form. It is important that the applicant answers all questions honestly and provides all the necessary documents, including the asylum seeker certificate.
If the application is admitted for processing, the National Migration Service will grant the asylum seeker a provisional identification document valid for six months, renewable. The admitted cases will then be evaluated by the National Commission for the Protection of Refugees, which will decide whether to grant refugee status. If refugee status is recognized, the asylum seeker will receive a valid document for one year and will be able to process a work permit.
However, if the refugee status recognition claim is denied or rejected, the applicant can file a written reconsideration request with ONPAR, addressed to the National Commission for the Protection of Refugees, within five business days of notification. If the decision on the reconsideration request is still negative, the applicant can file an appeal with ONPAR addressed to the Minister of Government within five business days.
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Fill out an application form explaining why you cannot return to your country
To apply for asylum in Panama, you must fill out an application form and explain why you cannot return to your country. This form can be filled out online. You will be given an induction on your rights and duties as an applicant for refugee status and on the procedure in accordance with Panamanian legislation.
Make sure you fill out all the information that is requested in the application record. Bring all the documents you need from your country of origin. You will be issued an asylum seeker certificate, which you must always carry with you. You will then be assigned a date for a registration interview to verify the information you submitted in the application form. During this interview, an ONPAR official will interview you in person. If you come with your partner or other adult relatives, the interview will be carried out individually.
After the interview, your file will be evaluated by ONPAR officials. They may request additional interviews to clarify any points. They will then determine if the application is admitted or inadmissible for processing. If your application is admitted, the National Migration Service will grant you a provisional identification document for six months, renewable. If the asylum seeker is with relatives, each individual will receive a personal document.
If your application is denied, you can file a written reconsideration resource at ONPAR, addressed to the National Commission for the Protection of Refugees, within five business days following notification of the resolution. If the decision on the reconsideration resource confirms the negative resolution, you can file an appeal addressed to the Minister of Government within five business days.
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Attend an interview with an ONPAR official to verify your application
After submitting your asylum application in Panama, you will be assigned a date for a registration interview with an ONPAR official. This interview is a crucial step in the asylum-seeking process, as it serves to verify the information provided in your application. Here are some detailed instructions and guidelines to help you prepare for this interview:
Documents to Bring
It is essential that you bring all the necessary documents to your interview. This includes any relevant documents from your country of origin and the certificate of asylum seeker that you received after submitting your application. The certificate, which includes your photograph and a QR code, is particularly important as it helps confirm your identity as an asylum seeker.
Interview Process
During the interview, the ONPAR official will ask you questions to verify the information in your application form. It is crucial that you answer all questions honestly and to the best of your ability. If you have any relatives with you, such as your partner or legal-aged family members, they will also be interviewed individually. The interview aims to clarify the details of your case and determine the validity of your asylum claim.
Post-Interview Evaluation
After the interviews, ONPAR officials will carefully evaluate your file. They may request additional interviews, known as extension interviews, to seek further clarification or gather more information. This process ensures that your case is thoroughly assessed and allows you to provide any missing or supplementary details.
Decision on Application
Following the evaluation, ONPAR will decide whether your application is admitted or inadmissible for further processing. If your application is admitted, the National Migration Service will grant you a provisional identification document valid for six months, renewable. Your case will then be evaluated by the National Commission for the Protection of Refugees, who will decide whether to grant you refugee status. If refugee status is recognized, you will receive a valid document for one year and will be eligible for a work permit.
Remember, the interview with the ONPAR official is a vital step in seeking asylum in Panama. Ensure that you are well-prepared, bring all necessary documents, and answer the official's questions truthfully and comprehensively.
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Receive a provisional identification document if your application is admitted
Once your application for asylum in Panama is admitted, the National Migration Service will grant you a provisional identification document. This document will be valid for six months and can be renewed. If you have relatives with you, each individual will receive their own personal document.
After this, the National Commission for the Protection of Refugees will evaluate your case and decide whether to grant you refugee status. If you are recognised as a refugee, the National Migration Service will issue you with a valid document for one year, and you will be able to apply for a work permit.
If your asylum claim is denied or rejected, you can file a written reconsideration request with ONPAR, addressed to the National Commission for the Protection of Refugees, within five business days of receiving the decision. If the decision on the reconsideration request is also negative, you can file an appeal with ONPAR, addressed to the Minister of Government, within five business days.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can seek asylum in Panama. If you are at the Panama Airport, you must inform the SNM Migration officer that you want to apply for refugee status.
You will be issued a certificate of asylum seeker that you must always carry with you. You will then be assigned a date for the registration interview.
An ONPAR official will interview you in person to verify the information you submitted in the application form. You must bring all the necessary documents, including the certificate of asylum seeker.
The ONPAR will evaluate your file and decide whether to admit or deny the application. If your application is admitted, the National Migration Service will grant you a provisional identification document for six months.
If your asylum application is denied, you can file a written reconsideration request with ONPAR within five business days. If the decision on the reconsideration request is still negative, you can file an appeal with the Minister of Government.
