Applying for political asylum and subsidiary protection
Advisory service for subsidiary protection residence permits and refugee status applications
Advice on political asylum and subsidiary protection applications
SH Immigration Specialists is much more than an agency that handles paperwork for foreign nationals.
We are a team of professionals, including immigration specialists and qualified immigration lawyers, ready to help you find the best solution and the type of international protection that suits your situation.
Gathering documents for political asylum
We help you gather your documents and check that you meet the requirements to apply for political asylum and subsidiary protection.
Submitting your asylum application
We submit your documents and handle communications with the Questura (police immigration office) and the Territorial Commission, so that your application for a refugee status permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) proceeds within the time limits set by law.
L'avvocato ha dedicato tempo a spiegarmi chiaramente quali fossero le mie opzioni e ha guidato ogni passo del percorso.
La comunicazione è stata efficiente, e ho apprezzato particolarmente la chiarezza e la trasparenza nell'affrontare ogni aspetto della mia situazione.
Consiglio molto di affidarvi a lui Allessio nonostante sia giovane e molto preparato .
Top bravo ragazzo 🤩👏
In questo paese distrutto dalla burocrazia, sono riusciti a farmi ricredere e a continuare a sperare che qualcosa possa finalmente cambiare e molto in positivo!... Meritano davvero tanti stima e "successo"! Provare per credere!
La chiudo qui perché se dovessi raccontare la mia esperienza, dovrei partire da mooolto lontano e la mia recensione non sarebbe più efficace! ?
Ho avuto un'esperienza unica usufruendo di servizio dei ragazzi e vorrei testimoniare che fanno un lavoro eccellente,professionale all massimo e al livello umano senza rivali,un AIUTO IMMENSO!
Ne sono grata,auguro prosperita e tantissime persone felici di avervi incontrati.
Grazie infinite,abbiate tutto il bene del mondo.Grazie Hamza Ameer.Di cuore.
Con stima e affetto,Teresa.
Book a consultation with an immigration lawyer today
If you are not sure whether you meet all the requirements for refugee status, or how to approach an application for political asylum and subsidiary protection, one of the qualified immigration lawyers on our team will help you find the best route.
Political asylum in Italy
The residence permit for political asylum is issued by the Questura to
holders of refugee status.
A foreign national is recognised as a political refugee in Italy if, for reasons of race,
religion, social group or political opinion, they are persecuted in the country of which they
are a citizen or, in the case of statelessness (no citizenship), in the territory where they lived, and therefore cannot return there.
.
Subsidiary protection in Italy
Subsidiary protection is a status which, like refugee status, is granted by the competent Territorial Commission following an application for international protection.
If the applicant cannot prove personal persecution under the Geneva Convention, which defines who is a refugee, but is considered at risk of serious harm (death sentence, torture, threat to life in the event of internal or international armed conflict) if returned to their country, they may be granted subsidiary protection.
What “subsidiary” means
Applying for political asylum
An application for recognition of ‘refugee status’ can be submitted to the Border Police or the Questura.
The application is sent to the competent Territorial Commission, which, within 30 days of receiving it, hears the applicant in a closed-door interview and makes a decision within the following 3 days.
The Commission may:
Grant refugee status
Grant subsidiary protection status
Rejection of a refugee status application
Residence permit for asylum seekers
Travel document for subsidiary protection
The Questura withdraws the refugee’s passport, to prevent them from returning to their country of origin, and issues a document equivalent to a passport, called a “titolo di viaggio” or “documento di viaggio” (travel document), which can also be used as an identity document.
Subsidiary protection and refugee residence permits
The first political asylum permit is requested from the Questura and has the following features:
- valid for 5 years;
- renewable;
- gives access to education;
- allows you to work (as an employee or
self-employed); - gives access to public sector employment;
- allows registration with professional bodies;
- allows registration with the national health service;
- gives entitlement to INPS welfare benefits (the ‘assegno sociale’ social allowance and
the ‘pensione agli invalidi civili’ civil disability pension) and to the maternity allowance granted by
municipalities.
Family reunification for refugees
Subsidiary protection and family reunification are compatible.
Refugees do not need to meet the
housing and income requirements normally required.
Family cohesion is also possible, so if family members are already in Italy, even without a valid
residence permit, they can apply for a residence permit for family reasons.
Family members include:
the spouse; minor children; adult dependent children if totally disabled; parents, subject to strict conditions.
Italian citizenship for asylum holders
Holders of refugee status benefit from halved waiting times when applying
for Italian citizenship by naturalisation. They can therefore apply
after just 5 years of residence in Italy.
No housing suitability certificate is required, and the birth certificate and criminal record certificate are replaced by a sworn declaration (atto di notorietà) signed in court before two witnesses.
Subsidiary protection and long-term residence card
Residence permits for international protection cannot be converted into work permits or into a permanent residence card (carta di soggiorno).
Apply for political asylum in Italy with the help of an immigration lawyer
Problems with your subsidiary protection application?
Notice of intended rejection of an asylum application
If you have received an Article 10-bis notice, your application for political asylum or subsidiary protection will be refused unless you respond adequately with additional information.
Asylum refusal in Italy
If your asylum application has already been refused, you should appeal promptly with the help of an immigration lawyer.
Revocation of subsidiary protection
A subsidiary protection residence permit and refugee status can be revoked if the Questura finds that they were obtained fraudulently.
Call us now and appeal with the help of a subsidiary protection lawyer.
Is your asylum application taking too long?
Looking for a lawyer for your political asylum or subsidiary protection application?
SH Immigration Specialists is much more than an agency for foreign nationals
We do one thing, and we focus on doing it well.
We provide immigration services, and our team includes qualified lawyers who can assist with your refugee status application.
When you entrust your case to our agency, we take care of the paperwork for your first residence permit application so you can focus on everything else.
About us
SH Immigration Specialists is much more than an agency that handles paperwork for foreign nationals.
We specialise in immigration matters, and our team includes qualified, experienced immigration lawyers.
Where we work
We offer our immigration services and advice on political asylum and subsidiary protection residence permit applications online throughout Italy and at our offices in Bologna, Milan, Turin, Genoa, Rome and Naples.
How we work
SH Immigration Specialists has become a leading agency for foreign nationals because, with qualified immigration lawyers on its team, it offers complete, all-round immigration services.
We help you gather your documents and submit your application, and we support you all the way through to your first residence permit application and, later on, your application for Italian citizenship.
Agency for foreign nationals:
what it does
A basic immigration agency fills in forms, often with serious mistakes.
SH Immigration Specialists is much more: our team includes qualified immigration lawyers, and we work to get your paperwork done as efficiently as possible.
Immigration lawyer:
what they do
An immigration lawyer specialises in the procedures for moving to Italy and living here legally, with your documents fully in order.
Immigration lawyer: how much does it cost?
The cost of an immigration lawyer depends on the individual case. Call or write to us to explain your situation and get a quote.
Asylum application consultation:
how it works
If you want to apply for refugee status and a subsidiary protection residence permit and need advice, contact us.
We will arrange a date and time for our meeting, in your language, online or at our office.
FAQ - Applying for political asylum
How to apply for political asylum
Political asylum applications in Italy are made through the Police, who refer the decision to the Territorial Commission. If the Commission grants refugee status, you can then apply for your political asylum residence permit at the Questura.
What subsidiary protection means
Subsidiary protection is an alternative that the Territorial Commission grants to foreign nationals who have not shown a level of danger that would justify political asylum but who still deserve protection in Italy.
Working with subsidiary protection
A subsidiary protection residence permit allows you to work.
Asylum application processing times
The Territorial Commission often takes years to reach a decision. Contact us to find out how to seek a decision within the time limits set by law.
Contact us now free of charge
L'avvocato ha dedicato tempo a spiegarmi chiaramente quali fossero le mie opzioni e ha guidato ogni passo del percorso.
La comunicazione è stata efficiente, e ho apprezzato particolarmente la chiarezza e la trasparenza nell'affrontare ogni aspetto della mia situazione.
Consiglio molto di affidarvi a lui Allessio nonostante sia giovane e molto preparato .
Top bravo ragazzo 🤩👏
In questo paese distrutto dalla burocrazia, sono riusciti a farmi ricredere e a continuare a sperare che qualcosa possa finalmente cambiare e molto in positivo!... Meritano davvero tanti stima e "successo"! Provare per credere!
La chiudo qui perché se dovessi raccontare la mia esperienza, dovrei partire da mooolto lontano e la mia recensione non sarebbe più efficace! ?
Ho avuto un'esperienza unica usufruendo di servizio dei ragazzi e vorrei testimoniare che fanno un lavoro eccellente,professionale all massimo e al livello umano senza rivali,un AIUTO IMMENSO!
Ne sono grata,auguro prosperita e tantissime persone felici di avervi incontrati.
Grazie infinite,abbiate tutto il bene del mondo.Grazie Hamza Ameer.Di cuore.
Con stima e affetto,Teresa.