Your asylum interview is one of the most important stages of your application for international protection. It is your opportunity to explain why you left your country and why you would not be safe if you returned.

The interview can feel stressful, especially when you need to speak about violence, discrimination, family rejection, detention, threats, or other traumatic experiences. Knowing what to expect and preparing in advance can help you communicate your story more clearly and safely.

What Happens During the Interview?

The interview is usually conducted by an official from the Ministry of the Interior. An interpreter will normally be present if you do not speak Czech.

You will be asked questions about:

• Your personal and family background.
• Your life in your country of origin.
• The reasons you left.
• The people or authorities you fear.
• What happened to you before you left.
• Why you cannot return safely.
• Your journey to the Czech Republic.
• Any documents or evidence you have.

The interview is not a test of how emotional, confident, or “convincing” you appear. It is your opportunity to explain your experiences in your own words.

Your Rights During the Interview

You have the right to:

• A qualified interpreter in a language you understand well.
• Respectful and non-judgmental treatment.
• A private and confidential interview.
• Ask for a short break if you feel tired, distressed, or overwhelmed.
• Ask for a question to be repeated or explained.
• Say when you do not understand the interpreter.
• Request an interviewer or interpreter of a particular gender when this is important for your safety or ability to speak freely.
• Ask for mistakes in the written interview record to be corrected.
• Have the interview record read back or interpreted before you sign it.
• Receive legal advice or support from a lawyer or NGO, where available.

You should not be required to answer humiliating, sexually explicit, or irrelevant questions.

Before the Interview

Prepare a Timeline

Write down the main events in chronological order. You do not need to memorise a speech. The purpose of the timeline is to help you remember the order of important experiences.

Include, where relevant:

• Important dates or approximate periods.
• Threats, attacks, arrests, or harassment.
• Problems with your family, community, employer, school, or authorities.
• Attempts to seek help or protection.
• When and why you decided to leave.
• What you believe would happen if you returned.

It is normal not to remember every exact date, especially after trauma. Do not invent dates. Explain honestly when you are unsure.

Speak With a Lawyer or Trusted Organisation

Discuss your case with a lawyer or an experienced refugee-support organisation before the interview whenever possible.

They can help you:

• Understand which experiences may be relevant.
• Organise your story.
• Identify supporting documents.
• Prepare for difficult questions.
• Explain any gaps, delays, or inconsistencies.

Collect Relevant Documents

Bring documents that may support your case, but only when it is safe to do so.

Examples may include:

• Identity documents.
• Police or court records.
• Medical reports.
• Threatening messages.
• Photographs.
• Letters from organisations or trusted people.
• Evidence of political, community, or human-rights activities.
• Relevant social media records.

Your testimony is still important even when you do not have documents. Many people fleeing persecution cannot safely collect evidence.

Consider Your Interpreter Needs

Tell your lawyer or the responsible authority in advance if:

• You need a particular language or dialect.
• You would feel safer with an interpreter of a particular gender.
• You fear an interpreter from your national, ethnic, religious, or local community.
• You are concerned about confidentiality.

During the Interview

Speak in Your Own Words

Tell the truth as clearly as you can. Do not say what you think the official wants to hear.

You can say:

• “I do not remember the exact date.”
• “I do not understand the question.”
• “Please ask the question in a different way.”
• “The interpreter did not translate what I said correctly.”
• “I need a short break.”
• “This question makes me feel unsafe. Can you explain why it is relevant?”

Include Important Information

Try to mention all major events that are relevant to your fear of returning.

Adding important information later does not automatically mean that it is untrue. People may disclose experiences gradually because of trauma, shame, fear, mistrust, or concerns about interpreters. However, later disclosure may lead to additional questions, so explain honestly why you could not speak about something earlier.

Pay Attention to the Interpretation

Interpreters should translate everything accurately and without expressing personal opinions.

Speak slowly and pause regularly so the interpreter can translate fully.

Immediately raise the issue if the interpreter:

• Changes or shortens your answers.
• Uses insulting or inaccurate words.
• Refuses to use your chosen name or pronouns.
• Laughs, mocks you, or appears judgmental.
• Knows you, your family, or your community.
• Makes you feel unsafe.

You can ask for the interview to be paused and request a different interpreter.

Ask for Breaks

Talking about traumatic events can be emotionally exhausting. You may ask for a break to drink water, breathe, or collect your thoughts.

Needing a break does not weaken your case.

Before Signing the Interview Record

The written record is usually prepared in Czech. Do not sign it without checking that it reflects what you said.

Ask for the record to be:

• Read back to you.
• Interpreted in a language you understand.
• Corrected where information is incomplete or inaccurate.

Pay attention to:

• Dates.
• Names.
• Locations.
• Important events.
• The reasons you fear returning.
• Words related to your sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Statements attributed to you that you did not make.

Ask for your corrections to be added before signing.

Request a copy of the interview record and keep it safely.

After the Interview

As soon as possible, write down:

• The date and location of the interview.
• The names or positions of the official and interpreter, if known.
• Questions that were difficult or inappropriate.
• Interpretation problems.
• Information you forgot to mention.
• Any disrespectful or discriminatory behaviour.
• How long the interview lasted and whether you received breaks.

Share these notes with your lawyer or supporting organisation.

You may also ask whether you can submit additional evidence or a written explanation after the interview.

When to Contact a Lawyer Urgently

Seek legal help as soon as possible if:

• The interpreter did not translate accurately.
• You were pressured to sign an incorrect record.
• You experienced racist, homophobic, transphobic, or humiliating treatment.
• Confidential information was shared without your consent.
• You forgot to mention an important part of your case.
• You received a negative decision.
• You are unsure about an appeal deadline.

Key Takeaways

• The interview is your opportunity to tell your story in your own words.
• You do not need to memorise a perfect statement.
• Ask questions when you do not understand something.
• Report interpretation problems immediately.
• Ask for breaks when needed.
• Check the written record before signing it.
• Keep copies of all documents.
• Contact a lawyer or trusted organisation when something goes wrong.

This article provides general information and does not replace individual legal advice. Asylum procedures and administrative practices may change. Seek updated advice from a qualified lawyer or authorised legal aid organisation.