In immediate danger, call your local emergency number first. The numbers below are official national emergency lines. If your life or someone else's is at risk, call before anything else. This page is guidance, not legal advice.
Who can help you
These established organizations offer free help worldwide. We link to their official pages because local shelter and soup-kitchen addresses change often — always confirm the nearest office through the links or your local emergency number.
Food, soup kitchens & shelter
Free meals, food banks, warm shelter and clothing through worldwide charities. Contact the nearest branch for the closest soup kitchen or bed.
Children & families
Protection, schooling, food and safe spaces for refugee children and their families.
Unaccompanied minors
Special protection, guardianship and safe care for children travelling alone.
Women & mothers
Safe accommodation, healthcare and counselling for women and pregnant mothers.
Violence & abuse survivors
Confidential help for gender-based violence, domestic abuse and trafficking. In immediate danger, always call your local emergency number first.
Sick & injured people
Free or low-cost medical care, medicines and mental-health support.
War survivors & missing family
Protection for people fleeing conflict and help to reconnect with family separated by war.
LGBTQ+ refugees
Safe relocation, legal help and community support for LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution.
People fleeing Ukraine
Dedicated help, cash assistance and country guidance for people displaced from Ukraine.
Churches & faith-based aid
Faith-based organizations offering food, shelter, legal advice and companionship — regardless of your religion.
Country-by-country: numbers & where to apply
Official emergency numbers and the authority that receives asylum applications in each supported country.
Australia
OceaniaGeneral emergency: 000
Department of Home Affairs
If you are lawfully in Australia and fear persecution, apply for a Protection visa (subclass 866) with the Department of Home Affairs.
Official page
New Zealand
OceaniaGeneral emergency: 111
Immigration New Zealand — Refugee Status Unit
Lodge a claim for refugee and protection status with Immigration New Zealand as soon as you arrive.
Official page
United States
North AmericaGeneral emergency: 911
USCIS (affirmative) / EOIR Immigration Court (defensive)
File Form I-589 within one year of arrival. In removal proceedings, you apply defensively before an immigration judge.
Official page
Canada
North AmericaGeneral emergency: 911
IRCC / Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
Make a refugee claim at a port of entry or inside Canada through IRCC; your hearing is held by the IRB.
Official page
United Kingdom
EuropeGeneral emergency: 999
UK Home Office — Asylum
Claim asylum on arrival or as soon as possible with the Home Office, then attend your screening and substantive interviews.
Official page
Scotland
EuropeGeneral emergency: 999
UK Home Office (with Scottish Refugee Council support)
Asylum is handled under UK law via the Home Office; the Scottish Refugee Council offers local advice and support.
Official page
Ireland
EuropeGeneral emergency: 112
International Protection Office (IPO)
Apply for international protection at the IPO in Dublin; you will complete a questionnaire and attend an interview.
Official page
Japan
AsiaImmigration Services Agency of Japan
Apply for refugee recognition at a regional immigration bureau; interviews are conducted by refugee inquirers.
Official page
South Korea
AsiaKorea Immigration Service (Ministry of Justice)
File a refugee application at an immigration office or at the port of entry under the Refugee Act.
Official page
Qatar
Middle EastGeneral emergency: 999
Ministry of Interior (residency) / UNHCR for protection
Qatar has a political-asylum law; most protection cases are referred to UNHCR. Residency is arranged via the Ministry of Interior.
Official page
Dubai (UAE)
Middle EastICP / GDRFA Dubai (residency) — UNHCR for protection
The UAE processes residency through ICP/GDRFA; asylum-type protection cases are referred to UNHCR.
Official page
Russia
Europe / AsiaGeneral emergency: 112
MVD — Main Directorate for Migration Affairs (GUVM)
Apply for temporary asylum or refugee status at the local GUVM (migration) office of the MVD.
Official page
Georgia
CaucasusGeneral emergency: 112
Ministry of Internal Affairs — Migration Department
Submit an international-protection application to the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Official page
Paraguay
South AmericaGeneral emergency: 911
CONARE — National Commission for Refugees
Apply for refugee status through CONARE; residence is processed by the Dirección General de Migraciones.
Official page
Uruguay
South AmericaGeneral emergency: 911
CORE — Refugees Commission (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Present a refuge application to CORE; residence is handled by the Dirección Nacional de Migración.
Official page
Brazil
South AmericaCONARE / Polícia Federal
Request refuge at any Polícia Federal unit; your claim is decided by CONARE.
Official page
Chile
South AmericaServicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG)
Submit a refugee-protection application to the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones.
Official page
Argentina
South AmericaGeneral emergency: 911
CONARE / Dirección Nacional de Migraciones
Apply for refuge through CONARE via the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
Official page
Costa Rica
Central AmericaGeneral emergency: 911
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME)
Register your asylum request with the DGME (Unidad de Refugio).
Official pageCaribbean
CaribbeanGeneral emergency: 911
UNHCR (regional) / national immigration departments
Protection cases in most Caribbean states are supported by UNHCR; residence is arranged with each country's immigration department.
Official page
Malaysia
AsiaGeneral emergency: 999
UNHCR Malaysia
Malaysia is not a party to the Refugee Convention; asylum-seekers register directly with UNHCR Malaysia.
Official page
Indonesia
AsiaGeneral emergency: 112
UNHCR Indonesia
Asylum-seekers register with UNHCR Indonesia, which conducts refugee status determination.
Official page
Albania
BalkansGeneral emergency: 112
Border & Migration Police / National Reception Centre
Express your intention to seek asylum to the Border & Migration Police; you are then referred to the asylum authority.
Official page
Montenegro
BalkansGeneral emergency: 112
Ministry of Interior — Directorate for Asylum
Register your intention to seek asylum with the police, then apply to the Directorate for Asylum.
Official page
Bosnia & Herzegovina
BalkansGeneral emergency: 112
Ministry of Security — Sector for Asylum
Express your asylum intention to the police or Service for Foreigners' Affairs; the Sector for Asylum decides the claim.
Official page
North Macedonia
BalkansGeneral emergency: 112
Ministry of Interior — Section for Asylum
Submit your asylum intention to the police; the Section for Asylum registers and decides the application.
Official page
Northern Cyprus
MediterraneanTRNC immigration (residency) — UNHCR referral for protection
Northern Cyprus has no formal asylum system; protection seekers are advised to contact UNHCR. Residency/work is via local immigration.
Official page
Cyprus
MediterraneanGeneral emergency: 112
Asylum Service (Ministry of Interior)
Lodge your application with the Asylum Service; UNHCR Cyprus offers guidance on the process.
Official page
Malta
MediterraneanGeneral emergency: 112
International Protection Agency (IPA)
Register your protection claim with the International Protection Agency and attend your interview.
Official page
Fiji
OceaniaGeneral emergency: 911
Department of Immigration — UNHCR for protection
Residence and work permits are issued by the Department of Immigration; protection cases are referred to UNHCR.
Official page
Maldives
AsiaMaldives Immigration — UNHCR for protection
The Maldives has no asylum framework; work and dependent visas are handled by Maldives Immigration and protection cases via UNHCR.
Official page