Oficina de Asilo y Refugio

In the heart of Madrid, a beacon of hope stands on Calle de Arturo Soria 109. This is the Oficina de Asilo y Refugio, the OAR. It’s a place where lives intersect, where stories of resilience begin, and where the future is rewritten. The Oficina de Asilo y Refugio isn’t just an office. It’s a lifeline for those seeking international protection in Spain. Established in 1992, the OAR has witnessed countless journeys of hope and despair. It processes applications for asylum and refuge, offering a chance at a new beginning for those fleeing persecution, war, or violence. In 2022 alone, the Oficina de Asilo y Refugio received a staggering 119,240 applications. This marked a significant increase of 82.09% compared to the previous year. The majority of applicants were from Venezuela, followed by Colombia and Peru. The OAR’s role extends beyond simply processing applications. It serves as the material support for the Secretariat of the Interministerial Commission on Asylum and Refuge. The office provides information and guidance to asylum seekers. It also proposes inadmissibility of applications to the Minister of the Interior based on specific legal criteria. The Oficina de Asilo y Refugio also plays a crucial role in providing statistical data related to asylum seekers and refugees to the UNHCR representative in Spain. The OAR isn’t just a bureaucratic entity. It’s a place where hope is kept alive, a testament to human resilience, a symbol of international cooperation, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. For those who arrive at its doors, the Oficina de Asilo y Refugio offers more than just a process. It offers a promise.