Proof of Existence: The Role of documentation in Ahmad’s Life as a Refugee in Jordan

In March 2013, under freezing skies and gripped by fear, 13-year-old Ahmad Al-Refai crossed the Syrian Jordanian border. Like thousands of others fleeing war, he didn’t know where he was headed, only that he had to escape.

"I remember the tears and fear on the faces of the thousands around me," Ahmad recalls. "That day, I felt like a third-class citizen for the first time."

Ahmad’s first days in Jordan were spent in Za’atari refugee camp. Life was harsh. He woke at 4 a.m. to fetch bread and water, helped care for his younger sisters, and carried responsibilities far beyond his age. Soon after, his family moved to Irbid, a city in northern Jordan, in search of stability.

For Ahmad, one of the first steps to start a new life was enrolling in school. To do this, he needed to register in Jordan and receive an asylum-seeker certificate (ASC), which allows refugee children to attend Jordanian public schools under the same conditions as Jordanians. In Jordan, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, issues ASC to refugees as part of the agency’s protection work to facilitate refugees’ access to basic services, such as education and healthcare. Ahmad and his family registered with UNHCR, and the documents they received gave them a sense of safety and boosted their confidence in the future.

"Without my ASC, I wouldn't have been able to enroll in school," he says. "It’s not just a paper — it’s your identity. It’s your right to exist and move forward."

School wasn’t easy. Ahmad’s family, like many refugee families, faced significant financial hardship — his parents struggled to find stable work due to the limited work opportunities available. This meant private tutoring was out of reach. Adapting to a new curriculum without extra help was tough, but Ahmad persisted. By the time he completed high school, he had earned a 70 per cent GPA in the scientific stream.

"In Syria, I was always among the top students. In Jordan, everything changed, but giving up was never an option, especially as a refugee," he says.

Ahmad was able to continue his university studies through a scholarship, one of its key eligibility requirements was having valid documentation in Jordan. With his Asylum Seeker Certificate in hand, he met the criteria and was accepted to study Mechanical Engineering at one of the public universities in Jordan.

"When I got accepted, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders," he says. "I didn’t have to worry about how I’d pay for the university tuition fees."

After graduating, he began working as a trainee, primarily in air conditioning installation, where his duties included loading, unloading, and transporting heavy units under challenging conditions. In January, while working in a workshop in Ajloun, one of the coldest cities in Jordan, Ahmad was carrying a 60-kilogram air conditioner when he suffered a painful hernia. The injury was serious and left him unable to continue working.

In that moment of crisis, his registration document once again proved vital. Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR can use medical services at public healthcare facilities at a subsidised rate the same as non-insured Jordanians. It enabled Ahmad to undergo urgent surgery at a public hospital at a reduced cost, easing the financial burden on his family.

"Without my ASC, I would have paid double," he says. "That document protected me and eased our financial burden at one of the hardest moments."

Despite numerous challenges he faced, including difficulties finding a job, Ahmad did not give up and turned his focus to volunteering, a decision that transformed his sense of purpose. Now he conducts trainings for refugee youth on the prevention of gender-based violence, often paying out of pocket for transport or materials.

"I love volunteering because it allows me to make a real impact," he says. "Leaving my fingerprint on the community means more to me than money. The moral value I gain is priceless."

In parallel, Ahmad develops a vehicle care tech project offering sterilization and cleaning services. His passion for engineering remains strong, and he hopes to fully realize his professional potential one day.

Ahmad’s journey from uncertainty to education and volunteering is a powerful reminder that registration is not a formality but a lifeline. When people are forced to flee, documentation becomes the first step to safety and a future. For Ahmad, registration in Jordan opened the door to school, healthcare, and university, ultimately allowing him to gain the skills and experience he now uses to inspire others.

"Your registration means you can access your rights. It’s your proof of existence and that you matter," he says.

UNHCR can support refugees in pursuing their dreams and transforming their lives thanks to funding from the European Union (EU). Since the start of the Syrian crisis, the EU's strong commitment to the refugee cause has enabled UNHCR to provide registration and protection for hundreds of thousands of refugees in Jordan, including children, elderly people, and young adults like Ahmad, who now carry hope, resilience, and ambition into their futures. In 2024, thanks to EU support and that of other donors, UNHCR delivered protection activities benefitting 680,000 refugees in Jordan.

UNHCR registration and documentation activities in Jordan are co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed in this piece however do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.