Chancellor Karl Nehammer has tasked Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (both ÖVP) on Monday to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants.

Austria Suspends Ongoing Syrian Asylum Applications

"In this context, I have instructed the ministry to prepare a structured repatriation and deportation program to Syria," Karner said in a statement. At the same time, family reunification will also be suspended.

The political situation in Syria has "fundamentally and above all rapidly changed" in recent days, according to a written statement from the Interior Ministry to the APA. The ministry is currently observing and analysing the new situation. "A reassessment of the situation is essential for the further processing of the cases (pending procedures, family procedures, revocation procedures)." This is done by assessing the situation on the ground.

Around 7,300 Open Procedures Affected by Asylum Stop

According to the Interior Ministry, the stop affects around 7,300 open procedures at first instance. At the beginning of 2024, 95,180 Syrians were living in Austria, according to the Interior Ministry, citing data from Statistik Austria. From January to November 2024, 12,871 asylum applications were filed by Syrian citizens.

From 2015 to November 2024, 86,905 Syrians received a positive asylum decision, and 17,421 Syrians received a positive decision regarding subsidiary protection.

As of November 30, 2024, there are 12,886 open procedures by Syrian citizens (I. and II. instance), of which 1,146 can be attributed to family reunification. The Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) is responsible for the first instance, which are now suspended, and the Federal Administrative Court for the second instance.

(APA/Red)

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