The Procedure for Refugee Status Determination - Result

1. Judgement Decision Period

•

A decision will be made within 6 months from the date the application for refugee recognition is received. (As of 2022, the first judgement decision period takes 20.8 months.)

•

In unavoidable circumstances, the period can be extended within 6 months. When extending the period, you will be notified 7 days before the expiration of the period. (Article 18, Paragraph 5 of the Act)

2. In case of recognition as a refugee

•

Recognized refugees are issued a “Refugee Recognition Certificate.”

•

It can be issued at all local immigration/foreigner offices (including immigration/foreigner offices, immigration/foreigner offices, branch offices, and foreigner shelters).
: It can be issued to a refugee applicant (recognized person) or his/her representative.

※Scope of Substitute: Spouse, lineal blood relative, litigation representative, legal representative of a minor, or guardian under Article 14-2 of the Civil Act.
※Documents to be submitted by the substitute
①In the case of spouse and lineal blood relative, documents proving family relationship (if there are unavoidable circumstances where documents cannot be submitted, it will be recognized only if it is entered in the family relationship section of the refugee status applicant's application for refugee recognition; You must submit a power of attorney and a copy of the identity card of the proxy and the person in charge.)
②The litigation representative, legal representative, and guardian must submit a power of attorney, a copy of the Applicant's and Agent's ID cards, and documents proving the relationship.

•

Recognized refugees can receive certain treatment in accordance with the Refugee Act and the Refugee Convention of the Republic of Korea, and can receive the same level of social security as citizens.

3. In case of not recognized as a refugee

•

Those who are not recognized as refugees (including those who have received a humanitarian stay permit) will receive a “Notice of Refugee Non-Recognition Decision” from the local immigration or foreign immigration office.

•

A notice on non-recognition of refugee status states the reasons for the decision(including decisions concerning the applicant’s factual and legal claims) and the time limit and methods for raising an objection.

•

A person granted humanitarian stay permission may stay in Korea for the permitted period

4. When granted a humanitarian stay permit

•

A humanitarian status holder can stay in Korea for the permitted period.

Limitation on Recognition of Refugee Status

A refugee status applicant may not be recognized as a refugee even when the applicant qualifies for refugee status, if there is substantial cause to believe any of the following applies to the applicant.

An applicant who is at present receiving protection or assistance from organs or agencies of the United Nations other than the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, excluding the case such protection or assistance has ceased for any reason without the position of such persons being definitively settled in accordance with the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations

An applicant who has committed a crime against peace, a war crime or crime against humanity, as defined in international conventions or generally recognized international rules

An applicant who has committed a serious non-political crime outside the Republic of Korea prior to his/her admission into the Republic of Korea

An applicant who has been guilty of acts contrary to the purpose and principles of the United Nations

Source and Form Download Link

•

For more details, refer to Hi Korea > Immigration/Stay Guide > Refugee Recognition > Refugee Application and Review Procedures.

•

Refugee-related forms can be downloaded from Hi Korea > News & Notices > Civil Service Forms.

CEO

Number

Address

Inquiry/Error Correction

Jiwon Choi

878-82-00340

120-833 Myeongmul-gil 76-5, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Room 103

refugee_health@freemed.or.kr