Who would have thought that the time would come when the most relevant would be information on how to obtain refugee status in Russia? However, it turned out that ordinary people are not able to influence the situation. They have one way: to take belongings and go to the side of the border of the only country that agrees to help them save their lives. Leave aside the moral side of the issue. Consider the whole officialism of the process, which creates many difficulties for those who simply have no choice but to follow all the “rules” so as not to be forcibly evicted to their non-affectionate homeland (the word is written with a small letter in view of the events).
Who is a refugee?
Let's start with the most important thing - definitions. To understand how to obtain refugee status in Russia, you first need to understand what it is, in fact, like that. You see, the essence of being in the territory of another state can be characterized in different ways. The period of free stay, the time of compulsory border crossing, the benefits provided and so on depend on this. That is, the guests of Russia are allowed to explore the sights and enjoy the company of relatives for up to ninety days (visa-free regime). Refugees are another matter. They have nowhere to go. Therefore, their stay is not so strictly limited. According to the law, a refugee is a person who does not have citizenship of the Russian Federation, who is on its territory due to a clear threat to his life. Moreover, the types of hazards are specified. These include: persecution on racial, national, political, social grounds, religion. If civil rights in the country of residence are not respected, then a person has the right to apply for protection to the Russian Federation. Only by proving the soundness of their applications can a person be granted refugee status in Russia. But how to do that? The procedure provides for a specific algorithm. Let's consider its step-by-step execution.
Step 1. Recognition
If you need an answer to the question of how to obtain refugee status in Russia, then you should know: it all starts with an appeal to a special body. I must say that several services can accept such a statement. If you are in your (or other) country, you will have to find a diplomatic body (consulate or representative office). When things are urgent, you can simply proceed to the border. There you will have to pass control. These are the employees (FSB border control agency) who need to submit an application. It is easy to do. In any case, at the official border crossing you will have to fill out a document that indicates the purpose of entry. There is a column for refugees. Feel free to indicate what is really happening to you. Obtaining refugee status is not such a simple procedure. Therefore, you need to act deliberately. If at the border you say that you are simply traveling, how will you justify yourself later, when they tell you that it’s time to go home?
Step 1-A. If you missed
It happens that people catch themselves after the fact. That is, they have lived in the Russian Federation for some time, only then they realized that it is necessary to somehow formally fix their position. Where to run, how to get refugee status in Russia without encountering problems? Here the legislation is quite loyal. Contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Federal Migration Service where you are currently. It is important to submit a written application. Especially for those who, for certain reasons, crossed the border illegally. Yes, it is prohibited by law. But there are different cases. Perhaps you had reasons for force majeure for such an act. Keep in mind: they will have to be listed.
Step 1-B. Who can contact
Only an adult can write a statement to the authorities. That is, those who apply for recognition as a refugee must be over eighteen years old. Children are entered in the questionnaire of parents (other adults, their accompanying). Each person applies separately. This means that the head of the family cannot sign the statement for everyone. Not. Everyone turns to the state personally! Only children can “join” their parents. In addition to the official application, all available documents must be attached, which, according to the applicant, confirm the validity of its submission. If these papers were originally compiled in a foreign language, then it is required to accompany them with an official translation into Russian. It is advisable to collect as much of such evidence as possible at home. This significantly affects the course of business. The legal status of refugees gives real advantages to foreigners over ordinary tourists. The state assumes certain obligations in relation to them. Therefore, in order to receive it, evidence of threats, the impossibility of living in the state from which you fled, is necessary.
Step 1-B What to be prepared for
It should be understood that the state just does not distribute official statuses. He has someone to take care of. Therefore, prepare for checks and other procedures. The first thing applicants face is a survey. The employee of the FMS is obliged to ask a lot of questions, the answers to which are recorded in the form of a standard form. In addition, in order to obtain refugee status, you will have to undergo a “personal identification procedure”. It includes fingerprinting and photographing (just like in an arrest). Will have to tolerate. When the official part is completed, do not leave until you are given a special certificate in your hands. It will indicate that you received a temporary refugee status of approximately five working days (they say it is better to apply on Friday, then the validity of the certificate is longer). Now you can calmly wait.
Step 2. Result
Not everyone gets the coveted status. FMS employees review your documents, determine the validity of the application, and then make a decision. If it is negative, then the applicant receives a written notice not only of the refusal, but also of the reasons for this. In addition, the current status should be explained to the person. It is necessary to know and demand from officials. Sometimes the fate and life of a person depends on the decision of the FMS! The refusal must be communicated to the applicant within a certain time frame. For everything about all three days. When the application received a satisfactory answer, the refugee receives a special document in his hands - a certificate (so far temporary). So, many applications of people who want to receive refugee status from Ukraine are being considered. In connection with the events of the spring-summer of this year, most likely, all statements will be satisfied.
Step 3. Temporary stay
When the desired document is in your hands, you should ask for help. The state provides a lump sum to refugees. It may not be too big, but for those who have no one to rely on in a foreign country, this is already help. In addition, a refugee may require that he be accommodated in a temporary accommodation center. This is not forever. Your application will still be considered on the merits. While the bureaucratic machine will slowly spin, you will have a refuge (not to sleep on the street, right?).
Step 4. Accounting and medicine
You will be registered (registered) with the authorities and sent to a medical institution for examination. Do not forget to bring the kids with you. The doctor will also not interfere with them.
Step 5. Final Solution
The FMS considers documents for three months. If necessary, the body may extend this period. Therefore, you should not rush. When a decision is made, it will be brought to your attention in writing. Those who are disappointed with the refusal to be recognized as refugees can be advised to apply to the court of the Russian Federation. The rest receive certificates in exchange for a passport. That is, a document certifying the citizenship of the country from which the person escaped is seized and stored in the FMS during his stay in the Russian Federation. For those who applied to the embassy, in addition to the certificate, they are also given a ticket to go to the country that has granted asylum. That is, a refugee has the right not only to enter the Russian Federation, but also to ensure such a trip.
Retreat. Refugee status for Ukrainians
Due to the huge flow of people who cannot reconcile with the current government, are afraid for their lives, the issue of granting them official status is becoming more acute. The fact is that the border areas of Russia will soon be filled with people who do not have the means, housing and basic products. Lawmakers predict a humanitarian catastrophe and have already begun to think about simplifying the procedure for their official registration as refugees. At the end of May, a draft document was proposed to the Duma by deputy E. Fedorov. The press says that in mid-June the issue will be resolved positively. Ukrainians will be able to receive assistance from the Russian Federation in a simplified procedure.