Seeking asylum in South Sudan

UNHCR explains that anyone who has left their country because of war, conflict or a credible threat to life and liberty and cannot or will not return out of fear can seek asylum in South Sudan once on its territory. Because of the situation in their countries, people coming from Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic are recognised directly as refugees, a prima facie recognition provided for in the Refugee Act, 2012. The Passports and Immigration Act, 2011 also lets the Minister exempt political refugees and asylum seekers from its provisions.

People fleeing armed conflict or generalised violence may be granted an entry permit even without a passport or travel document, under section 20(2) of the Immigration Act as quoted by UNHCR; keeping any identity document, even an expired one, is still recommended. Cross at designated border points. Every newly arrived asylum seeker is registered individually in the Biometric Identity Management System, which records fingerprints, iris scans and facial features, and then receives an ID document issued by UNHCR and the CRA: valid for one year for asylum seekers and three years for refugees. Registration is requested at the protection desk or reception centre of the nearest office.

Asylum seekers and refugees have the right to physical and legal protection, documents on their status and identity, access to justice and basic services such as food, shelter, health and education, without discrimination. Recognised refugees have the right to work and can receive birth certificates, identity and travel documents and marriage or divorce certificates. In camps and settlements services include food, material assistance, basic health care, primary education and livelihood support; in urban areas they include registration, documentation, legal advice and access to local health and education facilities. Refugees must respect South Sudan’s laws, and refugee sites must remain free of weapons.

The Reception Centre in Juba, in the Thongping and Juba Na-Bari area along Pope Francis Road, opens Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm and on Fridays until 3 pm. A Border Reception Centre operates at Joda in Renk, with a transit centre in Renk. The CRA Juba hotline is +211 92 303 3066 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm) and the UNHCR Juba protection hotline +211 92 277 7682 (every day, 7 am to 7 pm). UNHCR stresses that all humanitarian assistance is free of charge.