Asylum in Slovenia: The Application Process and Key Steps from Application to Appeal

Last updated: 1 October 2026

IntroductionSlovenia , as a member of the European Union, complies with international asylum standards and laws, including the 1951 Refugee Convention. This process provides people facing persecution with the opportunity to find protection and start a new life. This article describes the asylum application process in Slovenia, the key stages of the process, and possible appeals and reapplication options if rejected.

1. Applying for asylum

Applying for asylum in Slovenia can be done in several stages, depending on where you are located.

At the border or at the airport

If you arrive in Slovenia via the border or airport, you can apply for asylum directly upon crossing the border. In this case, you must inform border guards or border police of your intention to apply for asylum. It is important to emphasize that this must be done during the initial stage of entry into the country.

Inland

If you are already in Slovenia, your asylum application must be submitted to the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior, which is responsible for the asylum procedure. The application can be submitted in person or through an online service.

To submit your application, you will need the following documents:

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

Once you submit your application, you will be scheduled for an interview to assess the eligibility of your request.

2. Application Processing:
Once your application is submitted, the application process begins, which includes several key stages.

Interview:
As part of the asylum application process, you will be scheduled for an interview with an official from the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior. This is an important stage during which you must explain your history in detail and the reasons why you cannot return to your country of origin. During the interview, it is important to provide as much evidence and information as possible to support your persecution and threats.

Assessment and Decision:
After the interview and document review, specialists from the Ministry of the Interior will assess your case.

The assessment is based on:

• Your interview.
• Assessing threats in the country of origin.
• Attached evidence confirming your persecution.

If your asylum application is granted, you are granted refugee status. Otherwise, you will receive a refusal decision, stating the reasons why you do not meet the criteria for asylum.

3. Appealing a Refusal
If your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal is filed with the Court of Appeal of Slovenia.

The appeal process:

1. Filing deadline: The appeal must be filed within 15 days of receiving the refusal decision.
2. New Evidence: During the appeal stage, the applicant may present new evidence that could influence the decision. This may include additional documents, information about the situation in the country of origin, or any other facts not considered in the first stage.

Appeal Review:
The Court of Appeal reviews all the evidence presented and checks for any errors in the previous decision. If the appeal is successful, the court may reverse the decision and grant you refugee status. If the appeal is rejected, you will be given instructions on next steps, including the possibility of reapplying.

4. The Role of an Expert Report in an Appeal.

At the appeal stage, an expert report can play a decisive role. Expert reports help the court and immigration authorities understand the situation in the applicant's country of origin and confirm their threats and persecution.

What is a country expert report?
An expert report is an independent assessment prepared by a specialist in human rights or political repression. Such a report helps prove that the applicant is facing persecution or threats in their home country and that their situation truly merits asylum.

The objectives of an expert report are:

1. Country of Origin Assessment: The expert examines the political and human rights situation in the country where the applicant was persecuted.
2. Explanation of the threats to the applicant: The report helps demonstrate that the applicant cannot safely return to his or her country due to political, religious or other persecution.
3. Corroboration of Facts: The expert supports the report with references to authoritative sources such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN and other international organizations.

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 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. Temporary Protection Program
If you have been denied asylum but remain in danger, Slovenia offers the option of applying for temporary protection. This may be a last resort for people who cannot return to their home country but do not meet the refugee criteria.

6. Judicial Review (Federal Court)
If your appeal is rejected, you can appeal to the Federal Court of Slovenia, which will review whether there were legal errors in previous decisions, including an analysis of the evidence and the application of the law.

7. Fresh Claim
If the situation in your home country has changed, or new evidence has emerged that could significantly affect the outcome of your case, you can submit a new asylum application. It is important that the new information is significantly more important and changes the merits of the case.

Conclusion
The asylum process in Slovenia can be challenging, but with proper preparation and qualified assistance, your chances of success are significantly increased. An expert report is an essential tool at all stages of the process, especially when filing an appeal. Preparing a quality report will help you present your case convincingly and prove your need for asylum.

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