A CGRS hearing (Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons) is a decisive moment in the Belgian asylum procedure. The quality of the interpreting can make the difference between refugee recognition and a negative decision. A professional, neutral interpreter protects the rights of the asylum seeker and ensures a fair hearing.
Why does a CGRS hearing require a professional interpreter?
During a CGRS hearing, the asylum seeker sets out their grounds for persecution and fear of return in detail. Any inaccuracy in the interpreting - a wrong translation of a place name, a cultural misunderstanding or an unclear rendering of a timeline - can be used to cast doubt on the credibility of the account. Belgian asylum law guarantees the right to an interpreter, but the quality of that interpreter is decisive. TranslateBE provides neutral, certified interpreters who respect the deontological code applicable to asylum proceedings.
What does our interpreting service for CGRS and asylum hearings cover?
- Liaison interpreting during the CGRS hearing or the CALL hearing (Council for Alien Law Litigation)
- Specialist interpreters for East African languages: Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali, Swahili
- Language pairs for the Middle East: Arabic (various dialects), Dari, Pashto, Kurdish (Kurmanji/Sorani)
- Guaranteed neutrality: the interpreter translates, does not judge and does not give advice
- Interpreting reports and transcripts at the request of lawyers or legal aid providers
- Preparation of the asylum seeker on the interpreting process (explanation of the system)
- Available in Brussels (CGRS headquarters), Liège, Ghent and other Belgian centres
- Telephone interpreting for urgent cases and remote CALL hearings
TranslateBE
Interpreter for CGRS or asylum procedure - quote within 1 hour
CGRS hearing or CALL session? Receive a quote within 1 hour for a certified, neutral interpreter specialised in asylum procedures.
Recommended interpreting mode for asylum hearings
- Liaison interpreting (consecutive): the standard at CGRS hearings - the interpreter renders each answer after the asylum seeker speaks, allowing for precision and correction of errors
- Telephone interpreting: for urgent emergency situations or when a physical interpreter is not available for a rare language
- Video interpreting: for CALL hearings conducted partly remotely via the Council's system
Rates for CGRS and asylum procedure interpreting
| Service | Duration | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Half day | ≤ 4h | €250–400 |
| Full day | ≤ 8h | €450–700 |
| Travel | - | +€0.40/km |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the interpreting service fully confidential at CGRS hearings?
Yes. All TranslateBE interpreters are bound by professional secrecy and sign a confidentiality agreement. Information shared during a CGRS hearing or asylum procedure is never passed on to third parties. Neutrality and confidentiality are absolute requirements in the asylum context.
Which languages are available for CGRS hearings and asylum procedures?
TranslateBE provides interpreters in more than 70 languages. For asylum procedures in Belgium, the most requested languages are: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali, Kurdish, Albanian, Georgian, Russian and many others. Contact us for rare languages.
How early should an interpreter be booked for a CGRS hearing?
As soon as you know the date of the hearing, book immediately - CGRS dates are sometimes communicated at short notice. TranslateBE offers express 24-hour service for most African and Middle Eastern languages. For rare languages, one week in advance is recommended.
What is the difference between a liaison interpreter and a consecutive interpreter at a CGRS hearing?
In practice, both terms are used interchangeably for CGRS hearings. The interpreter works in short to medium segments: the asylum seeker speaks, the interpreter renders, the officer asks the next question. No interpreter booth is required. The quality of the interpreter - neutrality, knowledge of the dialect, accuracy - is decisive.
Book your CGRS hearing interpreter - express 24 hours
Hearing tomorrow or the day after? TranslateBE provides neutral, certified interpreters for CGRS and CALL in express 24 hours, including rare African and Asian languages.