Asylum in Italy – Application Process and Key Steps

Last updated: 11 March 2026

Introduction:

Italy is one of the key asylum-seeking countries in Europe, thanks to its geographical location and democratic traditions of human rights protection.

Today, I will explain the asylum process in Italy in detail, covering all the key stages:
1. Submitting the application.2. Consideration of the case by the Territorial Commission.3. Appeal.4. Court proceedings.5. Submitting a new application.

This material will help you understand what to expect at each stage of the process and how to properly prepare your case.

1. Applying for asylum

The process of applying for asylum in Italy begins with registering the application with local authorities or at the border.

At the border or at the port of arrival

• If you are crossing the Italian border or arriving by sea, the application may be registered by border police officers.

• You are directed to the temporary accommodation centre (Centro di Accoglienza) to complete the procedure.

Inland

• If you are already in Italy, the application is submitted to the local police station (Questura).

• After registration, Questura transfers your case to the Territorial Commission.

Submission stages:

1. Register your application in Questura.

2. Submission of biometric data.

3. Obtaining a temporary residence permit (Permesso di soggiorno per richiesta asilo).

Submission deadlines:

• The application must be submitted as soon as possible after arrival in the country.

What documents are required?

• Passport or identification documents.

• A detailed description of the reasons why return to the country of origin is not possible.

• Evidence of threats (threatening letters, subpoenas, medical certificates, expert reports).

2. Examination of your application by the Territorial Commission
The Territorial Commission (Territoriale per il Riconoscimento della Protezione Internazionale) is the body responsible for examining asylum applications.

What happens at the Territorial Commission?
1. You will be scheduled for an interview where you explain the reasons for your application.2. The interview will be conducted with an interpreter, if necessary.3. You can provide additional evidence, including an expert report.

What is important to know about the interview?
• This is a key stage where you must explain your story in detail and provide evidence.

Outcome of the examination:
• If your application is approved, you will be granted refugee status (Rifugiato) or subsidiary protection (Protezione Sussidiaria).• If your application is rejected, you can appeal.

3. Appeal

If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision to the Court of First Instance (Tribunale Ordinario).

The appeal process:
1. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of receiving the refusal.2. You can submit additional evidence, including an expert report.

What happens at the hearing?
• The judge hears the case based on the materials provided.• The applicant and their lawyer present their arguments.• The court may overturn the refusal or confirm it.

4. The Role of the Expert Report
An expert report is an independent document prepared by an expert to confirm the reality of the threats in the applicant’s country.

The objectives of the report are:
1. Confirming the context: Describing the current situation in the applicant’s country: political instability, repression, conflict.
2. Strengthening the evidence base: Substantiating the risks for the applicant and the impossibility of safe return.
3. Using authoritative sources: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UN.

The expert report plays a key role at all stages:
• At the application stage: It helps the UDSC understand the situation in the applicant’s country.
• In court: The report allows the judge to see the full picture.
• On appeal: It points out errors in the previous decision or confirms new circumstances.

Russia and CIS Expert: Assistance in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan

My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am an expert on human rights , political repression, and social abuses in the CIS countries. My work focuses on providing objective and professional expert witness reports for asylum seekers in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union. I specialize in analyzing and presenting evidence supporting the risks of persecution in the former Soviet Union.

My achievements:

• Over 100 successfully prepared expert witness reports for asylum applicants from CIS countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – at the appeals and initial application stages.
• Collaboration with leading US and UK law firms, including the preparation of reports that have become key evidence in successful asylum cases.
• Winner of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category "Best Expert on Immigration Issues".
• My in-depth knowledge of the legal and political situation in the CIS countries allows me to objectively assess the risks of political persecution, human rights violations, and other factors affecting the safety of applicants.
• Recognition as a respected expert in the field of human rights and political repression, including inclusion in the Experts for Immigration and Justice (EIN) database: https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov

Having gone through the asylum process myself, I understand how important it is to present the court with a complete and accurate picture of what happened.

If you are looking for a professional expert on political asylum issues from the CIS countries, my services will help you prepare a strong and compelling case for your clients.

How I prepare an expert report:

• Analysis of the General Situation: I examine the political, religious and social conditions in the applicant's country of origin, including repression, persecution, human rights violations and other threats.
• Analysis of the applicant's circumstances: I study the statement, interview, provided documents and the decision of the court or immigration authority.
• Research: I use international and local sources, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN , and local media. I support every fact with references using the OSCOLA methodology.
• Compliance with standards:
• My reports are strictly regulated and comply with the guidelines set out in the Upper Tribunal's Practice Direction on Expert Evidence.
• Having accepted responsibility for the analysis and preparation of the report, I confirm the accuracy of all facts presented and the correctness of the opinions expressed.

Declaration of Truthfulness:

At the end of each report, I sign a declaration confirming that all information presented is based on reliable sources and that the opinions expressed are my own.

Liability to Court:

• My professional remuneration is not dependent on the outcome of the case, which guarantees objectivity and the fulfillment of my duty to the court.
• In some cases, I may be called to court to provide evidence regarding circumstances in the appellant's country of origin.

— Maxim Kharitonov

How to contact me
: Email: info@thehuman-rights.com

Application on the website:
thehuman-rights.com

Working hours:

• I respond to requests within 1 hour.

• I prepare reports within 1 week, including complex and extensive cases.

5. Appeal to the Council of State (Conseil d'État)
If your appeal is rejected, you can file a complaint with the Conseil d'État, France's highest court.

When is this possible?
A complaint is filed in the event of legal errors or procedural irregularities at the CNDA.

The filing process:

• The complaint must be filed within 2 months of the CNDA refusal.
• The court may overturn the CNDA's decision and remand the case for retrial.

6. New application (réexamen)
If all previous attempts have been unsuccessful, you can submit a new application based on new circumstances.

What do you need for a new application?

• New evidence confirming the change in the situation in the country.
• Expert report substantiating the relevance of the threats

7. Fresh Claim
If all the previous steps fail, you can file a Fresh Claim.To do this, you need:

• New evidence that significantly changes the essence of the case.
• An expert report confirming changes in the situation in the country.

Conclusion:
The asylum application process in France is complex, but with the right preparation and support, you have every chance of success.

An expert report is a key tool to help you explain your story and justify the risks.

Contact me:

• Email: info@thehuman-rights.com
• Web: thehuman-rights.com