The State Migration Service of Turkmenistan has approved an updated procedure for registering and recording persons who have applied for refugee status or subsidiary protection, as well as those who have already been granted such status. This was reported by IIC.

According to the new requirements, foreign citizens entering the country with the specified status are required to undergo migration registration within three working days of crossing the border. Registration is carried out at the place of permanent or temporary residence, subject to the availability of supporting documents.

The document also provides for the introduction of a state information system for migration registration. The system will collect and store personal and biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints.

A separate set of rules concerns the obligations of the host party — hotels, medical institutions and other organisations. They are required to inform the migration authorities of the arrival and departure of foreign citizens no later than within 24 hours.

For cases of mass arrival of persons in emergency situations, a simplified mechanism for registration at temporary accommodation points has been established, followed by migration registration for a period of up to three months.

It is noted that the new procedure has been developed in accordance with the Law of Turkmenistan ‘On Refugees’ and is aimed at improving the efficiency of the migration control and registration system.