immigration.go.kr : Apply For Refugee Status South Korea

Name of the Organization : Korea Immigration Service
Type of Facility : Apply For Refugee Status
Country : South Korea

Website : http://www.immigration.go.kr/HP/IMM80/index.do?strOrgGbnCd=104000
Refugee : http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt

Immigration Apply For Refugee Status

A “Refugee” refers to an alien who is unable or unwilling to avail him/herself of the protection of his/her country of nationality owing to wellfounded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion; or who, not having a nationality, is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to return to the country of his/her former residence (hereinafter “the country of habitual residence”) prior to entry into the Republic of Korea.(Article 2 (1), Refugee Act)

Related : Immigration Service South Korea Issuing Certificate : www.statusin.org/7566.html

How do I apply for Refugee status:
Where must I apply for refugee status:
** If you are within the territory of the Republic of Korea, you must submit the application to the Chief of an Immigration Office (hereinafter Office Chief), Head of an Immigration Branch office (hereinafter Branch Head), or Director of an Immigration Processing Center.
** If you are at a port of entry to enter or land into the Republic of Korea, you must apply for refugee status to the respective Office Chief or Branch Head during entry inspection.

When must I apply for refugee status:
** If you are within the territory of the Republic of Korea, you may apply for refugee status regardless of how long you stayed in the country.
** If you are applying for refugee status at a port of entry, you must submit the application “during the immigration inspection”.

What documents must I submit to apply:
** Application for Recognition of Refugee Status
** Your Passport (However, if the passport is unavailable due to compelling reasons (e.g. to escape from an immediate danger of your life and body), a statement explaining the reasons can replace the passport)
** Documents explaining why your claim for refugee status should be granted
** 1 Identification photo (35 x 45mm)

Procedures for Refugee Status Determination:

Followings are the procedures for refugee status determination

Submission of an Application of Recognition of Refugee Status:
Preassessment (for a referral):
The preassessment of the application at a port of entry is to determine whether a claim can be referred to further refugee status evaluations.

Determination whether to refer the case:
The respective Office Chief and Immigration Officers shall decide whether to refer a refugee status applicant at a port of entry, to the next refugee status evaluation stage within seven days of the date on which a claim was filed.
If the Office Chief or Immigration officers fail to make the decision within seven days, the referral is deemed decided and the applicant shall be permitted to enter

Your refugee application may not be referred, if:
** Your presence in the Republic of Korea is considered harmful to the public safety and order of the nation;
** Your identity is unable to be confirmed because you did not complied with the procedure;
** You concealed facts in the application through means that include, but are not limited to, the submission of false documents or false statements. (However, if you voluntarily reported this fact without delay, this provision shall not apply to your case);
** Your origin is a safe country without the danger of persecution or if you are from a safe country;
** You reapplied for refugee status without material change in circumstances after your previous application was denied or previous refugee status recognition was cancelled;
** You are applied with the reasons for not granting refugee status, in accordance with the Refugee Convention and/or Article 19 of the Refugee Act; Or,
** You file for refugee status without clear grounds.

Notification of referral/nonreferral:
The respective Office Chief or Immigration officers shall notice the determination of referral/nonreferral to the refugee status applicant without delay.

Refugee Status Application at Immigration Office with Jurisdiction over Applicant’s Residence:
How do I apply for refugee status at an Immigration Office?:
You must be present in the territory of the Republic of Korea and submit a refugee status application in writing to the Office Chief or immigration officers in charge

You must submit an Application for Recognition of Refugee Status:
After your submission of the application, a Receipt of Refugee Status Application will be issued
The Officer Chief or immigration officers in charge shall issue a Receipt of Refugee Status Application immediately after receiving the application.