Last updated: 21 September 2026

Introduction:

Serbia , as a non-EU member state undergoing EU integration, provides asylum to individuals facing persecution or threats in their home country. The asylum process in Serbia is regulated by both national laws and international norms, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and other international agreements. Despite certain challenges in applying for and receiving asylum, Serbia, as a refugee-focused country, adheres to the principles of humanity and human rights protection.

In this article, we will examine the asylum process in Serbia in detail, including the key stages:

1. Submitting an application.
2. Consideration of the application.
3. Appeal.
4. Submitting a new application in case of refusal.

This guide will help you understand how to properly prepare your asylum application and how to proceed at each stage of the process.

1. Applying for asylum

The asylum application process in Serbia begins with an application to the Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior of Serbia, which is responsible for immigration and asylum matters.

At the border or at the airport

If you arrive in Serbia via the border or airport, you can apply for asylum immediately upon arrival. It's important to declare your intention to apply for asylum, and you should be directed to a refugee center to complete all the necessary paperwork.

Inland

If you are already in Serbia, you can submit an asylum application at the Refugee Centre or at the Migration Office office in one of the major cities.

At this stage, it is important to provide the following documents:

• Passport or other identification document.
• A detailed explanation of the reasons why you cannot return to your country (e.g. political persecution, threats, war).
• Evidence of harassment, such as medical certificates, photographs, threatening letters and other supporting documents.

Once you submit your application, you will be scheduled for an interview where the severity of the threat to your safety will be assessed.

2. Application ReviewOnce an application for asylum in Serbia has been submitted, the review process begins. This process includes several key stages.

Initial Interview
During the interview, the applicant must detail their experiences, explain why they cannot return to their home country, and present evidence of persecution. The interview is important to provide all possible evidence of persecution and threats. Factors such as political, ethnic, religious, and other persecution are considered here.

Application Review
The Migration Office evaluates the submitted application and all attached documents, as well as the information provided during the interview. It is important that all facts and evidence are presented in as much detail and convincingly as possible. If the decision is positive, the applicant is granted refugee status, which allows them to legally reside in Serbia.

Temporary Protection
If the applicant is not granted refugee status but still needs to temporarily stay in the country for humanitarian reasons, they may be offered temporary protection status. This status is granted for a limited period and can be extended if necessary.

3. Appealing a RefusalIf your asylum application is rejected, you have the right to appeal to the Refugee Commission, which hears appeals against asylum refusals.

The appeal process:

1. Timeframe: The appeal must be filed within 15 days of receiving the refusal notice.
2. Presenting New Evidence: It is important to present additional evidence or explanations that may change the decision if important facts were missed during the initial review.
3. Appeal Review: The Refugee Board makes the final decision on your case. It may confirm the refusal, modify it, or grant your appeal and grant refugee status.

4. The Role of an Expert Report in an Appeal.
At the appeal stage, an expert report can play a decisive role.

An expert report helps to support the facts asserted and justify the need for the applicant's defense, especially if there are doubts about the reliability of the evidence provided or if the situation in the applicant's country requires additional expertise.

What is a country-specific expert report?
An expert report is a document prepared by an independent expert that analyzes the political, social, and human rights situation in the applicant's country of origin. An expert report helps confirm that the applicant is truly at risk and cannot safely return to their country.

The objectives of an expert report are:

1. Contextual confirmation: Description of the political, social and human rights situation in the applicant's country of origin, including persecution, war, violence, political instability and other threats.
2. Proof of Threat: Substantiation that the applicant would genuinely be subject to persecution or threats if they returned home.
3. Use of authoritative sources: The expert report is usually supported by references to international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN, as well as local news and research.

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 seeking a professional expert in political asylum matters 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 Justice:

• 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. Temporary Protection Program
If your appeal is rejected and your refugee status is denied, you can apply for the temporary protection program. This program is designed for those who have not received refugee status but need protection for humanitarian reasons, such as in the event of armed conflict or massive human rights violations in their home country.

6. Supreme Court
If your appeal and temporary protection program are rejected, you can file a complaint with the Supreme Court of Serbia, which reviews legal errors made during the decision-making process.

7. Fresh Claim
If all previous steps have been unsuccessful and the situation in your country has changed, you can submit a new application with new evidence or data that could significantly change the decision in your case.

Conclusion
The asylum process in Serbia can be lengthy and complex, but with proper preparation and the support of qualified experts, you can increase your chances of success. An expert report is an essential tool at all stages of the process, especially when filing an appeal. Preparing a high-quality and objective report will help you convincingly present your case and prove the need for asylum.

Contact me:
• Email: info@thehuman-rights.com
• Web: thehuman-rights.com
I am ready to help you prepare a strong and convincing case!