No decisions on applications filed by asylum seekers from Lebanon for now
For the time being, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will not make any decisions on asylum applications filed…
More asylum applications than expected
Last update: 14 April 2022
The number of asylum applications the IND receives is increasing. Together with the large number of applications in the second half of last year, this has resulted in continuous pressure on the asylum process. The number of asylum applications this year is expected to be larger than the organisation is equipped to handle, and for which it is funded. The IND is making every effort to prevent applicants from having to wait a long time for a decision but, unfortunately, is unable to avoid this.
This year, the IND has the assignment to decide on about 22,000 asylum applications. These are applications by asylum seekers who have not previously applied for asylum in another country or who come from a safe country of origin. We also call this Track 4. Applications for family reunification are not counted. The IND is an implementing organisation that is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security (in Dutch: Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid, or JenV). Each year, it is determined in consultation on how many applications the IND should be able to decide based on the organisation’s capacity. The actual influx of asylum seekers is determined by developments in the world. The IND expects that the number of asylum applications this year will be higher than the organisation is equipped to handle. Because of this, asylum seekers may have to wait longer for their decisions.
Taking timely and careful decisions
All applicants have a right to a careful decision. The IND is making every effort in 2022 to decide not only carefully, but as much as possible on time. To do so, investments are being made in enough competent staff members, improvement of work processes and digitisation. But because of the higher influx than expected, we cannot always guarantee a timely processing of an asylum application.
Increase of staff
In order to achieve its assignment this year, the IND needs new interview and decision staff members to process the applications received and scheduled. Extra staff is also needed at the registration desks in Ter Apel and Budel. Staff members are permanently being recruited for these jobs.
In addition, substantial efforts are being made for the knowledge and competence of present staff members. For example, for assessment of cases with complex reasons such as LGBTI and conversions. But also by giving them the opportunity within the frameworks of laws and regulations to take a decision where the case so requires.
Improvement of work processes
The IND is making efforts as well to improve the work processes in order to provide asylum seekers with clarity more quickly. For example, interviews are more often held remotely, and medical screening takes place only if foreign nationals need this themselves. Family members who have submitted applications with a good chance of being granted are temporarily being interviewed together in one combined interview. Specialised teams are being formed with knowledge of a specific target group that enables them to decide quickly and unambiguously on applications. The IND plans to outsource certain tasks in the decision process to external agencies. Then these will be less complex components of the process.