Country of origin meaning :

The “country of origin” refers to the country where a person is born or where their ancestors come from. This term is commonly used in immigration matters in status applications to identify an individual’s origins. It also serves as a basis during demographic surveys to determine the ethnic or national composition of a population.

Unlike the “country of nationality,” the “country of origin” does not necessarily imply a legal connection. It is possible for a person to be born in a country or have parents from a country without having its nationality or citizenship.

In the context of an asylum application, the “country of origin” holds great importance for immigration services. It is among the key criteria for determining a person’s eligibility for asylum or other forms of protection. The authorities in the host country need to know the country of origin to verify whether the applicants are genuinely facing persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinions.

The “country of origin” is also taken into account during an asylum application as this information helps the authorities of the host country assess risks to national security. Governments thus examine the political, economic, and social conditions in an individual’s country of origin to determine if there are potential security threats or if there is a history of criminal activity.

Etymology of Country of origin

The term “country of origin” comes from the combination of the Old French “contrée,” which itself comes from the Vulgar Latin “contrata,” meaning situated opposite or extended before, and “origo,” which translates to “source,” “beginning,” or “birth” in English. By combining these two words, this expression refers to the specific geographic location or nation from which someone or something originates. In the context of immigration and asylum, it denotes the country where a person was born or where their ancestors come from.