Ministry of Internal Affairs has published preliminary asylum statistics for November 2022. According to this, 101,757 asylum applications were filed in Austria at the end of November. According to the ministry, there were 11,890 applications in November alone – a decrease of more than a third compared to October. Despite the high numbers, the ministry spoke of “clear lines” where strict controls and priority actions would “show their effect”, 670 smugglers were arrested and Serbia will end visa-free travel for Tunisians at Austria’s insistence.

“Gate to Tunisia is closed”

“About 40 per cent of asylum seekers have so far entered Serbia without a visa and were then taken across the EU’s external borders and into Austria by criminal smugglers. After Serbia closed this gateway to Tunisia, the end of visa freedom for India is certain: It ends on January 1, 2023,” the Interior Ministry said of the deal between Chancellors Karl Nehammer, Aleksandar Vucic and Victor Orban. The ministry also pointed out that the majority of asylum applications “almost no chance” of getting asylum.

“Most of the asylum applications are still made by migrants who entered the country illegally for economic reasons,” the ministry said. Behind Afghanistan (22,920) and Syria (17,953) are India (17,912), Tunisia (12,493), Pakistan (7,566) and Morocco (7,087) ranking next in asylum statistics. “Such asylum applications are decided very quickly. In November, about 21,300 negative decisions were made in the expedited procedure. In addition, more than 37,000 people have avoided their procedures and left Austria alone again,” he said.

“70,150 legally negative decisions”

In total, there were more than 70,150 legally negative asylum decisions at the end of October. A number of figures show how futile asylum applications from migrants from India, for example: this year, one person from India was granted refuge in Austria. In November, a total of 19,425 protections had been granted in all procedures (asylum, additional protection, humanitarian stay permits), and 70,150 legal negative decisions. By the end of November, some 92,561 people were in basic care, some 56,000 of whom were Ukrainians displaced by the war.