No decision on asylum applications from Lebanon for the time being
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For the time being, the IND will not be making any decisions on asylum applications from people in Lebanon. This is due to the uncertain security situation in the country. The measure will initially apply for six months.
Why has no decision been made yet?
The situation in Lebanon is currently unsafe and uncertain. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated. There are also tensions in the region.
The Netherlands’ asylum policy regarding Lebanon is based on information that is no longer up to date. Consequently, the
That is why the
What does this mean?
A moratorium on decisions means that the IND is temporarily not making any decisions on asylum applications from people from Lebanon. A moratorium on deportations means that people are temporarily not required to return to Lebanon.
The measure will come into force on 1 June 2026 and will initially last for six months. The government will continue to monitor the situation in Lebanon. After that, the government may decide on the next steps.
The moratorium does not apply to everyone
For example, the IND continues to make decisions in Dublin cases. A Dublin case means that another European country is responsible for the asylum application. Furthermore, the moratorium does not apply to people who may pose a threat to security in the Netherlands. For example, people who have committed war crimes or serious offences.
Sometimes an asylum application can take a very long time to process. If an application has been pending for more than 21 months, the IND will review it anyway. The IND will then consider the applicant’s personal circumstances and the latest information regarding Lebanon.
It is not yet known how long the measure will last
The moratorium will initially apply for six months. If necessary, the measure may be extended once by a further six months. The measure may also be brought to an end earlier.
In 2025 and 2026, up to and including 30 March, 100 people from Lebanon applied for asylum in the Netherlands for the first time. Since the previous moratorium ended in May 2025, the