Asylum & Residency: getting started

This is a starting orientation, not legal advice. Asylum and residency rules change often, depend heavily on individual circumstances, and a missed deadline or wrong form can seriously affect a case. Use this guide to understand where to start and where to find qualified help — not as your only source before making a decision.

Asylum claims are handled by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). If you're already in Germany, you register with an authorized agency — the Federal Police, state police, a reception centre, a foreigners' authority, or BAMF itself — which records your details and issues an arrival certificate (Ankunftsnachweis). You then lodge a formal application in person at your assigned BAMF branch office, after which you receive permission to stay while your case is decided (Aufenthaltsgestattung).

Official source: German Federal Ministry of the Interior, "The Asylum Process in Germany" — https://www.bmi.bund.de/EN/topics/migration/asylum-refugee-protection/asylum-refugee-policy-germany/asylum-process-germany.html

For free or low-cost help finding a lawyer or understanding a case, refugee-support organizations such as Diakonie, Caritas, and local refugee councils (Flüchtlingsräte) operate in most German states.

Asylum claims are handled by the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). You cannot apply before arriving in Sweden. If you arrive at a border crossing, airport, or ferry terminal, tell the border police you want to apply for international protection — they will refer you to Migrationsverket. If you're already in Sweden, you apply in person at one of Migrationsverket's Reception and Return Centres, in Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm, or Boden.

Official source: Migrationsverket, "Apply for international protection (asylum) in Sweden" — https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/asylum.html

Sweden generally appoints a public counsel (offentligt biträde) at no cost once a case reaches a certain stage — ask Migrationsverket directly about eligibility and timing.

Asylum claims are handled by the Home Office. If you're at a UK port of entry (airport or border), you can claim asylum there. If you're already in the UK, contact the Home Office's Asylum Intake Unit to say you want to claim asylum — they will book a screening appointment where the claim is formally registered. The government advises claiming as soon as possible after protection is needed; delay can be used against a case.

Official source: GOV.UK, "Claim asylum in the UK" — https://www.gov.uk/claim-asylum

Organizations such as the Refugee Council and Right to Remain provide free guidance, and asylum seekers may be eligible for legal aid for an initial claim — availability and rules change, so confirm current eligibility directly.

Refugee claims are handled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Arriving at a Canadian port of entry, a claim can be made there with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer. If already inside Canada, claims are submitted online through the IRCC portal. Once a claim is accepted for processing, a Basis of Claim form must be completed and submitted, generally within 45 days.

Official source: Government of Canada, "Claiming asylum from within Canada" — https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/asylum/in-canada.html

The Canadian Council for Refugees maintains a list of settlement and legal-aid organizations by province — legal aid rules and availability differ significantly by province.