|
Belgium |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
In order to fill gaps in labour market shortages caused by the pandemic, applicants were exceptionally exempted from the 4-month waiting period until 30 June 2020. In view of the continuing shortage of workers in some sectors due to the closing of the borders, this measure was resumed from December 2020 until 30 June 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Minister of Asylum and Migration announced new measures aiming to fight against the abuse of the asylum system. Persons already benefitting from international protection in another EU Member State no longer receive material reception conditions. Dublin applicants who abscond and re-apply for reception following 6 months are also no longer entitled to material reception conditions. Fedasil evaluated these rejections in an individual manner, case-by-case, taking into account any possible vulnerabilities. This policy was withdrawn later in 2020. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Council of State suspended the project which aimed to pilot the use of videoconferencing in open centres. This is due to the fact that the Royal Decree on the functioning of the CGRS does not mention this among the competencies of the authority. The project can only continue once the Royal Decree is amended. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
The new Royal Decree establishing the list of safe countries of origin entered into force. The list itself includes the same countries. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The number of withdrawals initiated by the BFA continued to increase. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
Both chambers of the administrative court started deciding on asylum cases and more staff was recruited. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The BFA Procedures Law and the Asylum Law were temporarily amended until 31 December 2020, so that unaccompanied minors can be transferred directly to a regional directorate or field office to launch an asylum application, without passing through a first reception centre. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
The UK and Northern Ireland were added to the list of safe countries of origin. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Austria's new coalition government announced in January 2020 in its programme for the new government (2020-2024) to work on a comprehensive strategy on migration, based on a clear separation of migration and asylum. The programme foresees shortening and modernising asylum procedures. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The scope of the term family was widened. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
An amendment to the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum Procedures Act, promulgated on 23 December 2020, requires mandatory return counselling sessions to be held at an advanced stage of the procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Institutional |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services (BBU, Bundesagentur fuer Betreuungs- und Unterstuetzungsleistungen GmbH) started its activities on 1 December 2020 related to the provision of material reception conditions. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
The responsibility for return counselling and return assistance was shifted to the Federal Agency for Care and Support Services as of 1 January 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
A new global resettlement scheme was announced to consolidate the three largest national programmes. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
The Dublin procedure |
Three teams from the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, Third Country Unit in London were transferred to Glasgow under the newly-established Home Office Immigration Enforcement Third Country Unit, taking over responsibility for Dublin out cases. The fourth team remained in London and became the Dublin Cessation Team (DCT). |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The third edition of the Indicators of Integration framework was published. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Guidance was updated on assessing applicants who are destitute and eligible for support. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The guidance on age assessment was updated. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
New guidance provided instructions to caseworkers when an asylum seeker reports an incident of domestic abuse while the application is being assessed. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Access to information |
Two new information guides were published on rights, expectations and support offered to applicants staying in temporary accommodation. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The government published its Integrated Communities Action Plan, which confirms the actions the government will take to deliver stronger, integrated communities. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Home Office amended its guidance on assessing the ages of asylum claimants who have no valid documentary evidence of age and where their claims to be children are doubted. This included the specification that a person being assessed on their physical appearance and demeanour must appear to be at least 25 years or older to be treated as an adult. Prior to this amendment, a person needed to appear to be significantly older than 18 years to allow an assessment of age. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Switzerland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The provisions concerning the new accelerated asylum procedures entered into force on 1 March 2019, following the adoption of the new Asylum Law in September 2015, the national referendum in June 2016 and the pilot projects carried out in Zurich, Boudry and Giffers. |
CH LEG 01 2019 |
|
Switzerland |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Since 1 March 2019, the asylum procedure has been organised into six asylum regions. Each of these regions has a federal asylum centre which conducts the asylum procedure. Supporting divisions remain at the headquarters. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Swedish Migration Agency published a legal comment on Sudan leading to the temporary suspension of returns to the country. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |