The average processing time for asylum applications has increased to 496 days in the first few months of this year.
Last year, the average was 430 days, and nearly 15% of asylum seekers are waiting more than two years for a decision, according to figures obtained by Groen MP Matti Vandemaele from Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA).
During the application process, asylum seekers are entitled to accommodation. The longer the decision-making process, the longer they need to stay in an already saturated accommodation network.
Currently, asylum seekers typically stay around 14 months in an asylum centre. In previous years, the average stay was 17-18 months.
“The government must take structural measures to ensure that people receive a decision on their asylum application within six months,” Vandemaele said. “The current wait time is not beneficial for anyone. It is costly for society, problematic for those who can stay, and challenging for those who cannot.”
Van Bossuyt emphasised that her plan has always been to invest more to address the current backlog in the asylum services.
