Refugee Card (Carte de Réfugié)

The Carte de Réfugié, or Refugee Card, is a formal identification document issued to individuals who have been officially granted the right of asylum within the Republic of Cameroon. This document is a critical tool for ensuring the protection, security, and integration of refugees, as it provides them with a recognized legal status that allows them to access essential public services, engage in business activities, and enjoy freedom of movement within the country. The issuance of this card represents a sovereign prerogative of the Cameroonian state, aimed at properly documenting and managing the population of refugees residing on its territory in accordance with international and national legal frameworks.

The process for obtaining a Refugee Card is free of charge, reflecting the humanitarian nature of the status. To be eligible, an applicant must have their refugee status officially recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Following this recognition, the applicant must obtain a refugee certificate issued by the Ministry of External Relations. Once these prerequisites are met, the applicant undergoes a biometric enrollment process conducted by the General Delegation for National Security (DGSN). This ensures the card is a secure, computerized, and biometric document containing an electronic chip, which helps prevent identity fraud and ensures that the bearer can be accurately identified by authorities at any time.