The 'arrival in reception' is the first phase of the reception process. Upon arrival in a reception facility, the primary focus is on meeting the primary needs of the applicants (such as a place to sleep, a place to shower, food, medical health, safety). Many have a tough journey behind them, that has been followed by the procedure of lodging the asylum application. Many are tired and need to rest during the first few days. The following days can be dedicated to carrying out primary procedural and reception formalities. These may include registration, medical screening, reception intake, age assessment or vulnerability assessment, information on the ongoing asylum procedure, house rules of the reception centre, rights and obligations, etc. These steps need to be completed within 15 days upon arrival. 

Depending on the national and local context, applicants for international protection might arrive at the reception centre (or arrival centre) spontaneously or they may be transferred by the relevant authorities (e.g. border guards, police, etc.). Some of the procedures might have been already initiated or not before the arrival in the reception facility.

Provision of information is an important ongoing activity during the phase of arrival in reception. Applicants for international protection often have limited knowledge about the procedures when they first arrive. At the same time, they are expected to absorb large amounts of new information that includes legal information on administrative procedures. The task of reception staff is not only to give the information but also to ensure that the applicant understands what this information means in practice. 

The arrival phase is also the first contact between the applicant and the new environment in which they will be living pending the examination of the asylum claim. This first contact is crucial not only for the exchange of information but also for the development of trust between the reception officer and the resident. Applicants need to trust the information provider and need to consider them as a source of information that is more relevant, reliable and accurate than social media platform, messaging applications, other applicants or smugglers. It is therefore important to give the information in a staggered and focused manner so that the new resident can absorb it. You should also be mindful of repeating the message. In many cases, the message is not captured from the first time.

Check the sub-pages in the menu to see background information, information provision messages and information materials for the main activities carried out during the phase of arrival in reception.