What can refugees and asylum seekers from Syria expect in the coming months?
On 14 June, the temporary pause for processing asylum requests from Syrians and Palestinians from Syria will end. The Dutch government has not yet said whether the IND will start processing applications again. In this article you can read what measures the government may take, what the consequences may be for your situation in the Netherlands and who you can turn to for advice or help.
It is not yet clear what will happen after 14 June
The situation in Syria has been uncertain since President Assad fled the country on 8 December 2024. The Netherlands therefore decided not to process asylum requests from Syrian refugees and stateless Palestinians from Syria for 6 months. Those 6 months ended on 14 June. Will the government extend this period again or are there other options?
Minister of Asylum and Migration Faber said in December 2024 that she is waiting to make new rules for Syrians until there is a new
The new official notice will be published soon, but is not public
The new official report will be published soon, but because this official report will not be public, it is unclear what this official report will say about the situation in Syria. Based on the information in the official report, the minister may decide to adjust the rules for people from Syria. She may also decide not to process asylum requests for another 6 months.
What can you do yourself if the IND decides again?
It is important that you can prove that you are still in personal danger even in the current situation in Syria. Therefore, prepare well for the interview with the IND and gather information that shows that it is still not safe for you in Syria.
If you have had a fixed-term permit for 5 years or more, it is smart to apply for an