Country of Origin Information (COI) are used in Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures or in procedures relating to other forms of international protection. Accurate, reliable, relevant, current, objective, traceable and transparent COI is central to inform decision makers about conditions in the countries of origin of asylum applicants and to assist them in establishing objective criteria as to whether an asylum claim is well founded.

Comprehensive COI aims to answer questions about countries of origin relating to, for example, the socio-economic, legal, political, human rights, conflict, and humanitarian situation, the presentation of ethnic groups and cultural traditions in a country at a given time.

COI facilitates and supports decision-making processes but does not dictate decisions. It is distinct from country guidance and legal assessments. COI constitutes evidence in the international protection procedure and is important in making a fact-based assessment of international protection needs.

Country of Origin Information (COI) is produced by various entities, each serving distinct roles and purposes in asylum and migration processes. These include:

• COI Experts: Independent experts commissioned by legal representatives to create case-specific reports based on their expertise. Some work pro bono, while others charge a fee for their services. These experts often possess academic credentials and are relied upon in asylum tribunals for their specialized opinions.
• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs): Organisations such as Asylos and the Asylum Research Centre play significant roles in COI production. Asylos offers free case-specific COI reports upon request by legal representatives and publishes thematic reports on issues like disability, statelessness, and children’s rights. The Asylum Research Centre provides “query responses” commissioned by entities like the UNHCR.
• Government Bodies: Several government agencies produce COI reports to support decision-makers in Refugee Status Determination (RSD) processes. Examples include the UK Home Office Country Policy and Information Team (CPIT), the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRIB), Norway’s Landinfo, and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). These bodies focus on providing accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information about countries of origin to facilitate fair decisions.
• Legal Representatives and Caseworkers: Lawyers and caseworkers compile case-specific COI reports tailored to the needs of asylum claimants they represent. This often involves analysing diverse sources, including NGO reports and government publications.
• Asylum Claimants: In some cases, asylum seekers themselves contribute to COI production by providing firsthand accounts or evidence about conditions in their countries of origin.

These entities collectively ensure that COI remains a critical tool for informed decision-making in asylum procedures.

A number of global databases provide free access to COI resources, making it easier for asylum practitioners, legal representatives, and decision-makers to access reliable and up-to-date information.

Below on this page you can find a list of the most important global databases providing free access to COI resources.

COI experts have achieved years of academic and practical experience about a particular country that qualifies them to provide expertise, information and objective evidence on individual claim for refugee status.

As the users of our website may often be vulnerable and in precarious situations, we scrutinise every request and require experts to adhere to set standards prior to inclusion in our database. However, the Rights in Exile cannot assume responsibility for the quality of their work.

Most of the COI experts listed in our directory have agreed to work pro bono (voluntarily) for non-governmental organisations that do not charge refugees for their legal services. Other COI experts work for a very reduced fee. Others do charge, and we have tried to indicate this information when provided.

Most of the COI experts listed in our directory have agreed to work pro bono (voluntarily) for non-governmental organisations that do not charge refugees for their legal services. Other COI experts work for a very reduced fee. Others do charge, and we have tried to indicate this information when provided.

We are always eager to increase our pool of Country of Origin experts. If you are interested in being listed in our database, or if you know an expert who could be listed, please submit your information for consideration to rightsinexile-coi@asylos.org.

Note that to be listed on the platform, you need to provide the following documents and information:

• Signed Terms of Reference

• Up to date CV (including countries of expertise, details of country expertise, publications, further expertise such as languages & particular groups)

• Bio 

• Two referees who could confirm your refugee-related expertise in your countries of expertise

Legal advisors, NGO caseworkers and asylum claimants can make use of a range of resources if they are conducting COI research themselves. These include training materials on principle of COI research and guidelines for conducting COI research, and databases of COI sources. Below on this page you can find a list of the most important global databases providing free access to COI resources.

Researching Country of Origin Information outlines the role and relevance of COI for people seeking international protection presents quality standards for the research and the use of COI. The manual was produced by the Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation (ACCORD). The document is useful to those having little experience in writing declarations on behalf of asylum seekers. It includes all the relevant refugee laws for those who may need background on the 1951 Convention and other legal matters related to refugee protection. The Manual is available in other languages here.

Tools and Tips for Online COI Research aim to provide a high-level overview of some of the main tools and tips for online research that may be of use to COI researchers in this new and expanding sphere. The document was produced by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA).