In addition, asylum-seekers should be provided clear and easy-to-understand information regarding the
RSD process and procedures as early as possible in the RSD process, and upon approaching the UNHCR
Office.
STANDARDS & GUIDELINES
GENERAL INFORMATION ON UNHCR RSD PROCEDURES:
The eligibility criteria for refugee status under UNHCR’s mandate, including the eligibility criteria for
derivative refugee status;
The rights and responsibilities of asylum-seekers and refugees;
Procedures to apply for RSD and the various stages of the RSD process, including appeal procedures
and available assistance for Applicants in these procedures;
Procedures for registering accompanying family members/dependants, including the requirement
that they all attend the UNHCR Office in person for registration and that each accompanying adult
family member or other adult dependant be interviewed individually by a UNHCR Registration staff
member (see § 3.2.6 – Registration Interview of Family Members or Dependants);
The right of accompanying family members/dependants who have independent grounds for seeking
refugee protection to make an independent refugee status claim, and to obtain information and
assistance in this regard from a UNHCR staff member;
The supporting documentation that should be presented at the time of registration (see § 3.2.8 –
Supporting Documents)
Confidentiality of UNHCR RSD procedures and protection of personal data, and any applicable limits
on the confidentiality of information provided (see § 2.1.1 – The Applicant’s Right to Confidentiality);
The right of Applicants to request that Registration and RSD Interviews be conducted by UNHCR
staff and interpreters of a preferred sex, where available;
The consequences of recognition, including limitations regarding the availability of durable solutions;
Any information about the host country/country of asylum laws and procedures that may affect the
rights of refugees and asylum-seekers;
Information on how to provide feedback or make complaints regarding UNHCR staff, security guards
or UNHCR partners (see § 2.6 – Feedback and Complaints Mechanism).
Each UNHCR Office should determine the most effective and feasible methods of communicating and
disseminating the information described above, taking into account the principal languages and varying
degrees of literacy and education of the Applicants registered with the Office. All efforts should be made
to ensure that the information is accessible to Applicants with specific needs or vulnerabilities, such as
children, older asylum-seekers and individuals with mental health conditions or physical or intellectual
disabilities. Methods of dissemination of information should include a combination of written text and
illustrations on posters or notices displayed outside the UNHCR Office and in information leaflets, as well
as counselling by qualified UNHCR staff where necessary.
Procedures to disseminate information to asylum-seekers should take into account the needs of
populations who may be in remote locations, including refugee camps and detention facilities (e.g.
detention centres, police stations, airport facilities, etc.).
100
Procedural Standards for RSD under UNHCR’s Mandate
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents