Q & A for asylum-seekers
What does the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries do?
We supervise the implementation of the 1951 Refugee Convention, in line with our mandate, in the eight countries in the region. The Office has an advisory function. Concretely, this means that UNHCR provides its comments on asylum and refugee legislation, and participates in hearings and enquiries on asylum law and practice. The Office may also assists legal representatives on the interpretation of refugee law in making submissions to precedent-setting bodies. The Office organizes and participates in capacity-building activities and training of all actors involved in the asylum process: case workers, judges and lawyers. We also provide information and analysis to media and others about the situation of refugees in the region and in the world. Finally, our Office conducts private sector fundraising in the Nordic countries benefiting UNHCR’s activities globally.
Can you grant me refugee status?
No. UNHCR does not determine refugee status in countries which have established asylum procedures.
My asylum case has been rejected by the asylum authorities and by the court/appeal board. Can UNHCR help me?
UNHCR is not part of the national asylum procedure and can therefore not overturn decisions or stop deportations. Primarily, your appointed legal representative should help you. If your lawyer requires assistance with legal interpretation or country of origin information, s/he can contact us, if you agree. If you do not have a lawyer representing you, we have a number of non-governmental organizations we co-operate with who may be able to assist you.
I would like confirmation that I have been registered with UNHCR in another country. Can you help me?
UNHCR does not have a global database of persons registered with the Office. Our office can however send an inquiry to the UNHCR office where you were registered and ask for confirmation. Please send us the following information, preferably by email (with the text “Confirmation” in the subject line): full name, date of birth, place of birth and/or nationality, country and/or refugee camp in which you were registered with UNHCR, dates of arrival and departure from the refugee camp or country in question and your UNHCR file number. In order to release any confidential information, UNHCR will need proof of your identity.
I have a relative in another country who is a refugee or asylum-seeker and who I would like to help. What can I do?
Your relative should contact the UNHCR office in the country where he/she is currently residing for further information and advice.
I have a relative who is registered with UNHCR in another country. Can you help her/him come here?
If your relative is a spouse or co-habitant; unmarried children under 18 years of age, they can apply for family reunification. The application for family reunification must be initiated by your relative through a national mission abroad (an embassy, or in some instances, a consulate).
If your relative does not fall under the family reunification provisions or if an application for family reunification has not been successful, and if he/she has been granted refugee status by UNHCR, he/she can be considered for resettlement to a third country.
Can you help my relatives abroad to be resettled?
No. Submissions for resettlement are made from the country of asylum and it is the migration authorities in each country who decide who is selected for resettlement. There is no right to be resettled, it is the prerogative of the resettlement countries to decide who and how many refugees they will assist. If you have relatives who are registered with UNHCR in another country, tell them to approach the local UNHCR Office there and inform them that they have relatives in the Nordic countries.
I have come to one of the Nordic countries as a resettled refugee, but I would like to go to another country. Can you help me?
No. We cannot assist refugees with relocation from the Baltic and Nordic countries to other countries.
I was told by the Embassy that I can be resettled to another country if UNHCR confirms that I am a refugee. Can you assist me with that?
No. Embassies issue standard letters with instructions on how to apply for resettlement and certain types of visa. However, in the Baltic and Nordic countries, UNHCR does not determine refugee status and can therefore not help you.
How can I come in contact with the Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries?
Due to limited resources, UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries is unfortunately unable to have general opening hours for asylum-seekers and refugees. If you would like to come in contact with us, please send us an e-mail, letter or call us.
