Commission Regulation (EC) No 1560/2003 of 2 September 2003 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an asylum application lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national
Date: 2003-09-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, foreign national, migration policy, right of asylum, third country

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COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1560/2003

of 2 September 2003

laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 establishing
the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an
asylum application lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 of 18
February 2003 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for
determining the Member State responsible for examining an
asylum application lodged in one of the Member States by a
third-country national (1), and in particular Article 15(5), Article
17(3), Article 18(3), Article 19(3) and (5), Article 20(1), (3) and
(4) and Article 22(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

A number of specific arrangements must be established
for the effective application of Regulation (EC) No 343/
2003. Those arrangements must be clearly defined so as
to facilitate cooperation between the authorities in the
Member States competent for implementing that Regula-
tion as regards the transmission and processing of
requests for the purposes of taking charge and taking
back, requests for information and the carrying out of
transfers.

To ensure the greatest possible continuity between the
Convention determining the State responsible for exam-
ining applications for asylum lodged in one of
the
Member States of the European Communities (2), signed
in Dublin on 15 June 1990, and Regulation (EC) No
343/2003, which replaces that Convention, this Regula-
tion should be based on the common principles,
lists
and forms adopted by the committee set up by Article
18 of that Convention, with the inclusion of amend-
ments necessitated by the introduction of new criteria,
the wording of certain provisions and of the lessons
drawn from experience.

The interaction between the procedures laid down in
Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 and the application of
Council Regulation (EC) No 2725/2000 of 11 December
2000 concerning the establishment of ‘Eurodac’ for the
comparison of fingerprints for the effective application
of the Dublin Convention (3) must be taken into account.

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

is desirable, both for the Member States and the
It
there should be a
asylum seekers concerned,
mechanism for
finding a solution in cases where
Member States differ over the application of the humani-
tarian clause in Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 343/
2003.

that

The establishment of an electronic transmission network
to facilitate the implementation of Regulation (EC) No
343/2003 means that rules must be laid down relating
to the technical standards applicable and the practical
arrangements for using the network.

Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of
individuals with regard to the processing of personal
data and on the free movement of such data (4) applies
to processing carried out pursuant to the present Regula-
tion in accordance with Article 21 of Regulation (EC)
No 343/2003.

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on
the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on
European Union and to the Treaty establishing the
European Community, Denmark, which is not bound by
Regulation (EC) No 343/2003,
is not bound by the
present Regulation or subject to its application, until
such time as an agreement allowing it to participate in
Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 is reached.

In accordance with Article 4 of the Agreement of 19
January 2001 between the European Community and
the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway
concerning the criteria and mechanisms for establishing
the State responsible for examining an application for
asylum lodged in a Member State or in Iceland or
Norway (5), this Regulation is to be applied by Iceland
and Norway as it is applied by the Member States of the
European Community. Consequently, for the purposes
of this Regulation, Member States also include Iceland
and Norway.

(9)

It is necessary for the present Regulation to enter into
force as quickly as possible to enable Regulation (EC) No
343/2003 to be applied.

(1) OJ L 50, 25.2.2003, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 254, 19.8.1997, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 316, 15.12.2000, p. 1.

(4) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31.
(5) OJ L 93, 3.4.2001, p. 40.

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(10)

The measures set out in this Regulation are in accor-
dance with the opinion of the Committee set up by
Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003,

Article 2

Preparation of requests for taking back

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

TITLE I

PROCEDURES

CHAPTER I

PREPARATION OF REQUESTS

Article 1

Preparation of requests for taking charge

1.
Requests for taking charge shall be made on a standard
form in accordance with the model in Annex I. The form shall
include mandatory fields which must be duly filled in and other
fields to be filled in if the information is available. Additional
information may be entered in the field set aside for the
purpose.

The request shall also include:

(a) a copy of all the proof and circumstantial evidence showing
that the requested Member State is responsible for exam-
ining the application for asylum, accompanied, where
appropriate, by comments on the circumstances in which it
was obtained and the probative value attached to it by the
requesting Member State, with reference to the lists of
proof and circumstantial evidence referred to in Article
18(3) of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003, which are set out
in Annex II to the present Regulation;

(b) where necessary, a copy of any written declarations made

by or statements taken from the applicant.

2. Where the request is based on a positive result (hit) trans-
mitted by the Eurodac Central Unit in accordance with Article
4(5) of Regulation (EC) No 2725/2000 after comparison of the
asylum seeker's fingerprints with fingerprint data previously
taken and sent to the Central Unit in accordance with Article 8
of that Regulation and checked in accordance with Article 4(6)
of that Regulation, it shall also include the data supplied by the
Central Unit.

3. Where the requesting Member State asks for an urgent
reply in accordance with Article 17(2) of Regulation (EC) No
343/2003, the request shall describe the circumstances of the
application for asylum and shall state the reasons in law and in
fact which warrant an urgent reply.

Requests for taking back shall be made on a standard form in
accordance with the model in Annex III, setting out the nature
of the request, the reasons for it and the provisions of Regula-
tion (EC) No 343/2003 on which it is based.

The request shall also include the positive result (hit) trans-
mitted by the Eurodac Central Unit, in accordance with Article
4(5) of Regulation EC) No 2725/2000, after comparison of the
applicant's fingerprints with fingerprint data previously taken
and sent to the Central Unit in accordance with Article 4(1)
and (2) of that Regulation and checked in accordance with
Article 4(6) of that Regulation.

For requests relating to applications dating from before Eurodac
became operational, a copy of the fingerprints shall be attached
to the form.

CHAPTER II

REACTION TO REQUESTS

Article 3

Processing requests for taking charge

1.
The arguments in law and in fact set out in the request
shall be examined in the light of the provisions of Regulation
(EC) No 343/2003 and the lists of proof and circumstantial
evidence which are set out in Annex II to the present Regula-
tion.

2. Whatever the criteria and provisions of Regulation (EC)
No 343/2003 that are relied on, the requested Member State
shall, within the time allowed by Article 18(1) and (6) of that
Regulation, check exhaustively and objectively, on the basis of
all information directly or indirectly available to it, whether its
responsibility for examining the application for asylum is estab-
lished. If the checks by the requested Member State reveal that
it is responsible under at least one of the criteria of that Regula-
tion, it shall acknowledge its responsibility.

Article 4

Processing of requests for taking back

the

requested Member State

Where a request for taking back is based on data supplied by
the Eurodac Central Unit and checked by the requesting
Member State, in accordance with Article 4(6) of Regulation
(EC) No 2725/2000,
shall
acknowledge its responsibility unless the checks carried out
reveal that its obligations have ceased under the second subpar-
agraph of Article 4(5) or under Article 16(2), (3) or (4) of Regu-
lation (EC) No 343/2003. The fact that obligations have ceased
on the basis of those provisions may be relied on only on the
basis of material evidence or substantiated and verifiable state-
ments by the asylum seeker.

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Article 5

Negative reply

1. Where, after checks are carried out,
the requested
Member State considers that the evidence submitted does not
establish its responsibility, the negative reply it sends to the
requesting Member State shall state full and detailed reasons for
its refusal.

2. Where the requesting Member State feels that such a
refusal is based on a misappraisal, or where it has additional
evidence to put forward, it may ask for its request to be re-
examined. This option must be exercised within three weeks
following receipt of the negative reply. The requested Member
State shall endeavour to reply within two weeks. In any event,
this additional procedure shall not extend the time limits laid
down in Article 18(1) and (6) and Article 20(1)(b) of Regula-
tion (EC) No 343/2003.

Article 6

Positive reply

Where the Member State accepts responsibility, the reply shall
say so, specifying the provision of Regulation (EC) No 343/
2003 that is taken as a basis, and shall include practical details
regarding the subsequent transfer, such as contact particulars of
the department or person to be contacted.

CHAPTER III

TRANSFERS

Article 7

Practical arrangements for transfers

Transfers to the Member State responsible may be carried

1.
out in one of the following ways:

(a) at the request of the asylum seeker, by a certain specified

date;

(b) by supervised departure, with the asylum seeker being
accompanied to the point of embarkation by an official of
the requesting Member State, the responsible Member State
being notified of the place, date and time of the asylum
seeker's arrival within an agreed time limit;

(c) under escort, the asylum seeker being accompanied by an
official of the requesting Member State or by a representa-
tive of an agency empowered by the requesting Member
State to act in that capacity and handed over to the authori-
ties in the responsible Member State.

In the cases referred to in paragraph 1(a) and (b), the
2.
applicant shall be supplied with the laissez-passer referred to in
Article 19(3) and Article 20(1)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 343/
2003, a model of which is set out in Annex IV to the present
Regulation, to allow him to enter the Member State responsible
and to identify himself on his arrival at the place and time indi-
cated to him at the time of notification of the decision on
taking charge or taking back by the Member State responsible.

In the case referred to in paragraph 1(c), a laissez-passer shall
be issued if the asylum seeker is not in possession of identity
documents. The time and place of transfer shall be agreed in
advance by the Member States concerned in accordance with
the procedure set out in Article 8.

3.
The Member State making the transfer shall ensure that
all the asylum seeker's documents are returned to him before
his departure, given into the safe keeping of members of the
escort
the
Member State responsible, or sent by other appropriate means.

to be handed to the competent authorities of

Article 8

Cooperation on transfers

1.
It is the obligation of the Member State responsible to
allow the asylum seeker's transfer to take place as quickly as
possible and to ensure that no obstacles are put in his way.
That Member State shall determine, where appropriate,
the
location on its territory to which the asylum seeker will be
transferred or handed over to the competent authorities, taking
account of geographical constraints and modes of transport
available to the Member State making the transfer. In no case
may a requirement be imposed that the escort accompany the
asylum seeker beyond the point of arrival of the international
means of transport used or that the Member State making the
transfer meet the costs of transport beyond that point.

2.
The Member State organising the transfer shall arrange
the transport for the asylum seeker and his escort and decide,
in consultation with the Member State responsible, on the time
of arrival and, where necessary, on the details of the handover
to the competent authorities. The Member State responsible
may require that three working days' notice be given.

Article 9

Postponed and delayed transfers

1.
The Member State responsible shall be informed without
delay of any postponement due either to an appeal or review
procedure with suspensive effect, or physical reasons such as ill
health of the asylum seeker, non-availability of transport or the
fact that the asylum seeker has withdrawn from the transfer
procedure.

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A Member State which, for one of the reasons set out in
2.
Article 19(4) and Article 20(2) of Regulation (EC) No 343/
2003, cannot carry out the transfer within the normal time
limit of six months provided for in Article 19(3) and Article
20(1)(d) of that Regulation, shall
inform the Member State
responsible before the end of that time limit. Otherwise, the
responsibility for processing the application for asylum and the
other obligations under Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 falls to
the former Member State, in accordance with Article 19(4) and
Article 20(2) of that Regulation.

3. When, for one of the reasons set out in Article 19(4) and
Article 20(2) of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003, a Member State
undertakes to carry out the transfer after the normal time limit
of six months,
it shall make the necessary arrangements in
advance with the Member State responsible.

Article 10

Transfer following an acceptance by default

1. Where, pursuant to Article 18(7) or Article 20(1)(c) of
Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 as appropriate, the requested
Member State is deemed to have accepted a request to take
charge or to take back, the requesting Member State shall
initiate the consultations needed to organise the transfer.

If asked to do so by the requesting Member State, the
2.
Member State responsible must confirm in writing, without
delay, that it acknowledges its responsibility as a result of its
failure to reply within the time limit. The Member State respon-
sible shall take the necessary steps to determine the asylum
seeker's place of arrival as quickly as possible and, where
applicable, agree with the requesting Member State the time of
arrival and the practical details of the handover to the compe-
tent authorities.

CHAPTER IV

HUMANITARIAN CLAUSE

Article 11

Situations of dependency

1.
Article 15(2) of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 shall apply
whether the asylum seeker is dependent on the assistance of a
relative present in another Member State or a relative present
in another Member State is dependent on the assistance of the
asylum seeker.

ficates. Where such evidence is not available or cannot be
supplied, humanitarian grounds shall be taken as proven only
on the basis of convincing information supplied by the persons
concerned.

3.
The following points shall be taken into account in asses-
sing the necessity and appropriateness of bringing together the
persons concerned:

(a) the family situation which existed in the country of origin;

(b) the circumstances in which the persons concerned were

separated;

(c) the status of the various asylum procedures or procedures
under the legislation on aliens under way in the Member
States.

4.
The application of Article 15(2) of Regulation (EC) No
343/2003 shall, in any event, be subject to the assurance that
the asylum seeker or relative will actually provide the assistance
needed.

The Member State in which the relatives will be reunited
5.
and the date of the transfer shall be agreed by the Member
States concerned, taking account of:

(a) the ability of the dependent person to travel;

(b) the situation of the persons concerned as regards residence,
preference being given to the bringing the asylum seeker
together with his relative where the latter already has a
valid residence permit and resources in the Member State
in which he resides.

Article 12

Unaccompanied minors

1. Where the decision to entrust the care of an unaccompa-
nied minor to a relative other than the mother, father or legal
guardian is likely to cause particular difficulties, particularly
where the adult concerned resides outside the jurisdiction of
the Member State in which the minor has applied for asylum,
cooperation between the competent authorities in the Member
States, in particular the authorities or courts responsible for the
protection of minors, shall be facilitated and the necessary steps
taken to ensure that those authorities can decide, with full
knowledge of the facts, on the ability of the adult or adults
concerned to take charge of the minor in a way which serves
his best interests.

2.
The situations of dependency referred to in Article 15(2)
of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 shall be assessed, as far as
possible, on the basis of objective criteria such as medical certi-

Options now available in the field of cooperation on judicial
and civil matters shall be taken account of in this connection.

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The fact that the duration of procedures for placing a
2.
minor may lead to a failure to observe the time limits set in
Article 18(1) and (6) and Article 19(4) of Regulation (EC) No
343/2003 shall not necessarily be an obstacle to continuing the
procedure for determining the Member State responsible or
carrying out a transfer.

The Chairman of the Committee, or his deputy, shall chair the
discussion. He may put forward his point of view but he may
not vote.

Whether it is adopted or rejected by the parties, the solution
proposed shall be final and irrevocable.

Article 13

Procedures

1.
The initiative of requesting another Member State to take
charge of an asylum seeker on the basis of Article 15 of Regu-
lation (EC) No 343/2003 shall be taken either by the Member
State where the application for asylum was made and which is
carrying out a procedure to determine the Member State
responsible, or by the Member State responsible.

2.
The request to take charge shall contain all the material
in the possession of the requesting Member State to allow the
requested Member State to assess the situation.

3.
The requested Member State shall carry out the necessary
checks to establish, where applicable, humanitarian reasons,
particularly of a family or cultural nature, the level of depen-
dency of the person concerned or the ability and commitment
of
the other person concerned to provide the assistance
desired.

CHAPTER V

COMMON PROVISIONS

Article 15

Transmission of requests

1.
Requests, replies and all written correspondence between
Member States concerning the application of Regulation (EC)
No 343/2003 shall where possible be sent
through the
‘DubliNet’ electronic communications network, set up under
Title II of the present Regulation.

By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, correspon-
dence between the departments responsible for carrying out
transfers and competent departments in the requested Member
State regarding the practical arrangements for transfers, time
and place of arrival, particularly where the asylum seeker is
under escort, may be transmitted by other means.

In all events, the persons concerned must have given their

4.
consent.

2.
Any request, reply or correspondence emanating from a
National Access Point, as referred to in Article 19, shall be
deemed to be authentic.

Article 14

Conciliation

1. Where the Member States cannot resolve a dispute, either
on the need to carry out a transfer or to bring relatives together
on the basis of Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003, or
on the Member State in which the persons concerned should
be reunited, they may have recourse to the conciliation proce-
dure provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article.

2.
The conciliation procedure shall be initiated by a request
from one of the Member States in dispute to the Chairman of
the Committee set up by Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 343/
2003. By agreeing to use the conciliation procedure,
the
Member States concerned undertake to take the utmost account
of the solution proposed.

The Chairman of the Committee shall appoint three members
of
the Committee representing three Member States not
connected with the matter. They shall receive the arguments of
the parties either in writing or orally and, after deliberation,
shall propose a solution within one month, where necessary
after a vote.

3.
The acknowledgement issued by the system shall be taken
as proof of transmission and of the date and time of receipt of
the request or reply.

Article 16

Language of communication

The language or languages of communication shall be chosen
by agreement between the Member States concerned.

Article 17

Consent of the persons concerned

1.
For the application of Articles 7 and 8, Article 15(1) and
Article 21(3) of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003, which require
the persons concerned to express a desire or give consent, their
approval must be given in writing.

2.
In the case of Article 21(3) of Regulation (EC) No 343/
2003, the applicant must know for what information he is
giving his approval.

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TITLE II

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ‘DUBLINET’ NETWORK

The reference number shall begin with the letters used to
2.
identify the Member State in Eurodac. This code shall be
followed by the number
request,
indicating the type of
according to the classification set out in paragraph 1.

CHAPTER I

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Article 18

Establishment of ‘DubliNet’

the request

If
Eurodac reference number shall be included.

is based on data supplied by Eurodac,

the

Article 21

Continuous operation

1.
The secure electronic means of transmission referred to in
Article 22(2) of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 shall be known
as ‘DubliNet’.

The Member States shall

1.
take the necessary steps to
ensure that their National Access Points operate without inter-
ruption.

DubliNet is based on the use of the generic IDA services

2.
referred to in Article 4 of Decision No 1720/1999/EC (1).

Article 19

National Access Points

Each Member State shall have a single designated National

1.
Access Point.

The National Access Points shall be responsible for

2.
processing incoming data and transmitting outgoing data.

The National Access Points shall be responsible for
for every incoming

3.
issuing an acknowledgement of receipt
transmission.

4.
The forms of which the models are set out in Annexes I
and III and the form for the request of information set out in
Annex V shall be sent between National Access Points in the
format supplied by the Commission. The Commission shall
inform the Member States of the technical standards required.

CHAPTER II

RULES FOR USE

Article 20

Reference number

2.
If the operation of a National Access Point is interrupted
for more than seven working hours the Member State shall
notify the competent authorities designated pursuant to Article
22(1) of Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 and the Commission
and shall take all the necessary steps to ensure that normal
operation is resumed as soon as possible.

If a National Access Point has sent data to a National
3.
Access Point that has experienced an interruption in its opera-
tion, the acknowledgement of transmission generated by the
IDA generic services shall be used as proof of the date and time
of transmission. The deadlines set by Regulation (EC) No 343/
2003 for sending a request or a reply shall not be suspended
for the duration of the interruption of the operation of the
National Access Point in question.

TITLE III

TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 22

Laissez-passer produced for the purposes of the Dublin
Convention

Laissez-passer printed for the purposes of the Dublin Conven-
tion shall be accepted for the transfer of applicants for asylum
under Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 for a period of no more
than 18 months following the entry into force of the present
Regulation.

1.
Each transmission shall have a reference number making
it possible unambiguously to identify the case to which it
relates and the Member State making the request. That number
must also make it possible to determine whether the transmis-
sion relates to a request for taking charge (type 1), a request for
taking back (type 2) or a request for information (type 3).

Article 23

Entry into force

(1) OJ L 203, 3.8.1999, p. 9.

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that
of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 2 September 2003.

For the Commission

António VITORINO

Member of the Commission

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ANNEX I

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ANNEX II

(References are to Articles of Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003)

LIST A

MEANS OF PROOF

I. Process of determining the State responsible for examining an application for asylum

1. Presence of a family member (father, mother, guardian) of an asylum applicant who is an unaccompanied minor

(Article 6)

Probative evidence

— written confirmation of the information by the other Member State,

— extracts from registers,

— residence permits issued to the family member,

— evidence that the persons are related, if available,

— failing this, and if necessary, a DNA or blood test.

2. Legal residence in a Member State of a family member recognised as having refugee status (Article 7)

Probative evidence

— written confirmation of the information by the other Member State,

— extracts from registers,

— residence permits issued to the individual with refugee status,

— evidence that the persons are related, if available,

— consent of the persons concerned.

3. Presence of a family member applying for asylum whose application has not yet been the subject of a first deci-

sion regarding the substance in a Member State (Article 8)

Probative evidence

— written confirmation of the information by the other Member State,

— extracts from registers,

— temporary residence authorisations issued to the individual while the asylum application is being examined,

— evidence that the persons are related, if available,

— failing this, if necessary, a DNA or blood test,

— consent of the persons concerned.

4. Valid residence documents (Article 9(1) and (3) or residence documents which expired less than two years

previously (and date of entry into force) (Article 9(4))

Probative evidence

— residence document,

— extracts from the register of aliens or similar registers,

— reports/confirmation of the information by the Member State which issued the residence document.

5. Valid visas (Article 9(2) and(3)) and visas which expired less than six months previously (and date of entry into

force) (Article 9(4))

Probative evidence

— visa issued (valid or expired, as appropriate),

— extracts from the register of aliens or similar registers,

— reports/confirmation of the information by the Member State which issued the visa.

6. Legal entry into the territory at an external frontier (Article 11)

Probative evidence

— entry stamp in a passport,

— exit stamp from a country bordering on a Member State, bearing in mind the route taken by the asylum-seeker

and the date the frontier was crossed,

— tickets conclusively establishing entry at an external frontier,

— entry stamp or similar endorsement in passport.

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7. Illegal entry at an external frontier (Article 10(1))

Probative evidence

— positive match by Eurodac from a comparison of the fingerprints of the applicant with fingerprints taken

pursuant to Article 8 of the ‘Eurodac’ Regulation,

— entry stamp in a forged or falsified passport,

— exit stamp from a country bordering on a Member State, bearing in mind the route taken by the asylum-seeker

and the date the frontier was crossed,

— tickets conclusively establishing entry at an external frontier,

— entry stamp or similar endorsement in passport.

8. Residence in a Member State for at least five months (Article 10(2))

Probative evidence

— residence authorisations issued while the application for a residence permit is being examined,

— requests to leave the territory or expulsion order issued on dates at least five months apart or that have not

been enforced,

— extracts from the records of hospitals, prisons, detention centres.

9. Departure from the territory of the Member States (Article 16(3))

Probative evidence

— exit stamp,

— extracts from third-country registers (substantiating residence),

— tickets conclusively establishing departure from or entry at an external frontier,

— report/confirmation by the Member State from which the asylum-seeker left the territory of the Member

States,

— stamp of third country bordering on a Member State, bearing in mind the route taken by the asylum-seeker

and the date the frontier was crossed.

II. Obligation on the Member State responsible for examining the application for asylum to readmit or take back the

asylum-seeker

1. Process of determining the Member State responsible is under way in the Member State where the asylum applica-

tion was lodged (Article 4(5))

Probative evidence

— positive match by Eurodac from a comparison of the fingerprints of the applicant with fingerprints taken

pursuant to Article 4 of the ‘Eurodac’ Regulation,

— form submitted by the asylum-seeker,

— official report drawn up by the authorities,

— fingerprints taken in connection with an asylum application,

— extracts from relevant registers and files,

— written report by the authorities attesting that an application has been made.

2. Application for asylum is under examination or was lodged previously (Article 16(1)(c)(d) and (e))

Probative evidence

— positive match by Eurodac from a comparison of the fingerprints of the applicant with fingerprints taken

pursuant to Article 4 of the ‘Eurodac’ Regulation,

— form submitted by the asylum-seeker,

— official report drawn up by the authorities,

— fingerprints taken in connection with an asylum application,

— extracts from relevant registers and files,

— written report by the authorities attesting that an application has been made.

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3. Departure from the territory of the Member States (Article 4(5), Article 16(3))

Probative evidence

— exit stamp,

— extracts from third-country registers (substantiating residence),

— exit stamp from a third country bordering on a Member State, bearing in mind the route taken by the asylum-

seeker and the date on which the frontier was crossed,

— written proof from the authorities that the alien has actually been expelled.

4. Expulsion from the territory of the Member States (Article 16(4))

Probative evidence

— written proof from the authorities that the alien has actually been expelled,

— exit stamp,

— confirmation of the information regarding expulsion by the third country.

LIST B

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE

I. Process of determining the State responsible for examining an application for asylum

1. Presence of a family member (father, mother, guardian) of an asylum applicant who is an unaccompanied minor

(Article 6)

Indicative evidence (1)

— verifiable information from the asylum applicant,

— statements by the family members concerned,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR.

2. Legal residence in a Member State of a family member recognised as having refugee status (Article 7)

Indicative evidence

— verifiable information from the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR.

3. Presence of a family member applying for asylum whose application has not yet been the subject of a first deci-

sion regarding the substance in a Member State (Article 8)

Indicative evidence

— verifiable information from the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR.

4. Valid residence documents (Article 9(1) and (3)) or residence documents which expired less than two years

previously (and date of entry into force) (Article 9(4))

Indicative evidence

— detailed and verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of the information by the Member State which did not issue the residence permit,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.

5. Valid visas (Article 9(2) and (3)) and visas which expired less than six months previously (and date of entry into

force) (Article 9(4))

Indicative evidence

— detailed and verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of the information by the Member State which did not issue the residence permit,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.

(1) This indicative evidence must always be followed by an item of probative evidence as defined in list A.

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6. Legal entry into the territory at an external frontier (Article 11)

Indicative evidence

— detailed and verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of the information by another Member State or third country,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.

— fingerprints, except in cases where the authorities decided to take fingerprints when the alien crossed the

external frontier. In such cases, they constitute probative evidence as defined in list A,

— tickets,

— hotel bills,

— entry cards for public or private institutions in the Member States,

— appointment cards for doctors, dentists, etc.,

— information showing that the asylum applicant has used the services of a travel agency,

— other circumstantial evidence of the same kind.

7. Illegal entry into the territory at an external frontier (Article 10(1))

Indicative evidence

— detailed and verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of the information by another Member State or third country,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.,

— fingerprints, except in cases where the authorities decided to take fingerprints when the alien crossed the

external frontier. In such cases, they constitute probative evidence as defined in list A,

— tickets,

— hotel bills,

— entry cards for public or private institutions in the Member States,

— appointment cards for doctors, dentists, etc.,

— information showing that the asylum applicant has used the services of a courier or a travel agency,

— other circumstantial evidence of the same kind.

8. Residence in a Member State for at least five months (Article 10(2))

Indicative evidence

— detailed and verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of

the information by a non-governmental organisation, such as an organisation

providing accommodation for those in need,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.,

— fingerprints,

— tickets,

— hotel bills,

— entry cards for public or private institutions in the Member States,

— appointment cards for doctors, dentists, etc.,

— information showing that the asylum applicant has used the services of a courier or a travel agency,

— other circumstantial evidence of the same kind.

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9. Departure from the territory of the Member States (Article 16(3))

Indicative evidence

— detailed and verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of the information by another Member State,

— re Article 3(7) and Article 10(3): exit stamp where the asylum applicant concerned has left the territory of the

Member States for a period of at least three months,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.,

— fingerprints, except in cases where the authorities decided to take fingerprints when the alien crossed the

external frontier. In such cases, they constitute probative evidence as defined in list A,

— tickets,

— hotel bills,

— appointment cards for doctors, dentists, etc. in a third country,

— information showing that the asylum applicant has used the services of a courier or a travel agency,

— other circumstantial evidence of the same kind.

II. Obligation on the Member State responsible for examining the application for asylum to readmit or take back the

asylum-seeker

1. Process of determining the Member State responsible is under way in the Member State where the asylum applica-

tion was lodged (Article 4(5))

Indicative evidence

— verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.,

— reports/confirmation of the information by another Member State.

2. Application for asylum is under examination or was lodged previously (Article 16(1) (c)(d)(e))

Indicative evidence

— verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of the information by another Member State.

3. Departure from the territory of the Member States (Article 4(5), Article 16(3))

Indicative evidence

— detailed and verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,

— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,

— reports/confirmation of the information by another Member State,

— exit stamp where the asylum applicant concerned has left the territory of the Member States for a period of at

least three months,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.,

— fingerprints, except in cases where the authorities decided to take fingerprints when the alien crossed the

external frontier. In such cases, they constitute probative evidence as defined in list A,

— tickets,

— hotel bills,

— appointment cards for doctors, dentists, etc. in a third country,

— information showing that the asylum applicant has used the services of a courier or a travel agency,

— other circumstantial evidence of the same kind.

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4. Expulsion from the territory of the Member States (Article 16(4))

Indicative evidence
— verifiable statements by the asylum applicant,
— reports/confirmation of the information by an international organisation, such as UNHCR,
— exit stamp where the asylum applicant concerned has left the territory of the Member States for a period of at

least three months,

— reports/confirmation of the information by family members, travelling companions, etc.,
— fingerprints, except in cases where the authorities decided to take fingerprints when the alien crossed the

external frontier. In such cases, they constitute probative evidence as defined in list A,

— tickets,
— hotel bills,
— appointment cards for doctors, dentists, etc.,
— information showing that the asylum applicant has used the services of a courier or a travel agency,
— other circumstantial evidence of the same kind.

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ANNEX III

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ANNEX IV

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ANNEX V