Office for Foreigners

Submission of an application for international protection is free of charge and always requires a personal appearance at a Border Guard post. The procedure, including an interview with the applicant, is then carried out by the Office for Foreigners. It is worth remembering that an attorney cannot perform these actions on behalf of the foreigner.

Beware of dishonest offers of intermediaries advertising themselves with alleged high efficiency in obtaining international protection and faster handling of the case - having an attorney never gives such guarantees or affects the work of officials. What is more, it sometimes prolongs the time of proceedings by, for example, the intermediary's failure to take necessary actions or respond to summonses or letters from the office.

Moreover, if the foreigner is not satisfied with the decision received, he/she has the right to seek assistance of a professional lawyer within the framework of free legal aid.

If international protection is granted, issuance of a Geneva Travel Document or a residence card is also free of charge.

Benefits of a foreigner conducting a case on their own

• no costs
• direct information from the office on the procedure
• no risk related to the actions or lack of actions required on the part of an unreliable attorney
• possibility to obtain support from the office or organisations providing assistance to foreigners.

Risks related to conducting a case by an unreliable attorney

Through a bad choice of an attorney, a foreigner may lose influence over his/her case and bear the consequences of his/her incorrect actions.

It is not advised to use the services of intermediaries, who:

• do not speak the foreigner's language and are not able to explain the foreigner's legal situation
• do not provide information about the progress of your case and do not inform you in time about the actions planned by the office, e.g. about the date of the hearing
• are misleading with regard to the applicable legislation
• require payments for actions that are free of charge
• collect social assistance on behalf of a foreigner
• persuade to make false statements, use false documents or evidence
• advertise alleged high efficiency in obtaining international protection and faster handling of the case.

It is also worth remembering that a foreigner can always revoke a power of attorney - it is enough to report it in writing to the office.