Austria records a noticeable decrease in asylum requests

Austria witnessed a remarkable decline in the number of asylum requests, as last February recorded a decrease of 37% compared to the same period last year, bringing the total to 1.397 requests.

The Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum attributed this decrease mainly to the Austrian government’s decision to suspend considering asylum requests submitted by Syrian citizens, with the exception of exceptional cases, in conjunction with the freezing of all requests to reunite the families of Syrian refugees residing in Austria.

According to recent official statistics, Afghan citizens top the list of asylum seekers in February 568 applications.