If an asylum seeker reports to the border authority, it forwards him or her to the nearest initial reception facility, the establishment and maintenance of which is the responsibility of the respective country. This does not apply, however, if the conditions for refusing entry are met, for example because the foreigner is entering from a safe third country. If a foreigner only identifies himself as an asylum seeker in Germany, he is also initially referred to the nearest initial reception facility.

In Thuringia, the necessary registration and initial medical examination of asylum seekers are carried out at the initial reception facility in Suhl. Here, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has set up the "Suhl Arrival Center" and examines the asylum application. In the process, data is compared with the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR) and a residence permit is issued, which grants a temporary right of residence to carry out the asylum procedure in the Federal Republic. This is followed by the legally required, non-public hearing of the asylum seeker (Section 25 Asylum Act), which is generally conducted by a decision-maker from the Federal Office. The asylum seeker must appear in person, explain the reasons for his persecution and present any documents available. A decision is then made on the asylum application. In principle, the individual case is decisive.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is responsible for carrying out the procedure.