Set in place: Practice of obtaining permanent residency in Serbia

Source: APC
Photo: APC

Belgrade, July 3, 2024 - Asylum Protection Center (APC) assisted another refugee in Serbia to obtain country's permanent residency and biometric ID card. Aforementioned legal assistance reflects continuation of the APC's initiated and established practice aligned with the Serbian Government's newly developed bylaw in the area of permanent residency's approval.

This time refugee from Syria received Serbia's biometric ID card designed specifically for foreigners. Earlier received the ID card with the legal support of APC, in a line with the Government's rulebook regulating permanent residency's affairs as well as in accordance with the other regulations addressing foreigners’ affairs. Before getting the Serbia's biometric ID card, APC also legally represented and supported refugee in front of Serbia's relevant authorities, to file and get approved for asylum request, ID card, work permit and permanent residence.

Mustafa came to Serbia in 2018, refusing to join any side of conflict in Syria. He feared for his life, considering decisions made and overall unsafe situation in that country. Firstly, Mustafa left Syria for Turkey and then emigrated from Turkey to Serbia. Unfortunately, upon his arrival to Serbia, Mustafa was not allowed to file a request for asylum. Considering the situation and on behalf of Mustafa, APC's lawyers prepared and filed request on his behalf. Request was sent to the Ministry of Interior's Police Border Management Office, urging of later to assist or arrange for relevant refugee accommodation center to allow Mustafa to fill out asylum's request and move to the appropriate Government's established Asylum Center.

After APC legal representation, Mustafa was transferred to the Government's established Asylum Center in the Bogovođa settlement and after two organized hearings in the presence of APC, earlier got an asylum. Upon positive decision on asylum status, APC assisted Mustafa to receive financial aid for temporary accommodation, as well as to obtain confirmation of foreigners’ employment ID number. APC also supported refugee in renewing his personal ID cards and work permits, this way helping refugee to be able to work and fulfill all of the other foreigners’ rights guaranteed by Serbia's Constitution and the Asylum Law. Additionally, APC's integration team also supported Mustafa with socialization, navigating through local environment, getting acquainted with local customs, culture, work and other type of ethics, as well as in requesting of Serbia's Commissariat for Refugees and Migration (CRM) to place Mustafa in Serbian language class.

Due to the legal assistance of APC, Mustafa's residency in Serbia was sorted out and conditions were laid out for Mustafa to find an employment and improve his Serbian language skills. Mustafa found an employment in one of the Belgrade's restaurants. At first, he worked at the restaurant in the area of sales. Mustafa proved there to be a hard working and dedicated employee, earning trust of his employer. Meantime, Mustafa also started working there as a cook and became responsible for both, coaching of the new employees and the entire restaurant's management.

Although Mustafa got his temporary residence shortly upon arrival to Serbia, during the asylum process and after getting the asylum; nevertheless this period for Mustafa presented a period full of uncertainties, because every year later had to undergo Government's revaluation and filling out a requests for renewing official documentation. From now on and after receiving permanent residence, Mustafa will have less of uncertainty and more of the opportunities for professional development and full naturalization. We at APC are proud, that we were in position to change / set legal practices and provide direct help to refugees. Through aforementioned action, APC staff assisted country's reinforcing its asylum system, receiving, integrating refugees, improving existing local environment and multiculturalism in Serbian society.