Third-country nationals in reception centres for Ukrainian refugees can now stay for another 6 months
Third-country nationals can now stay in reception centres for refugees from Ukraine until 4 September 2023, in order to relieve the high level of pressure on the asylum reception system. State Secretary for Justice and Security, Eric van der Burg, made the decision after consultation with the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and the Security Regions Council. This concerns around 4,660 third-country nationals who have fled from Ukraine but are actually from other countries. They might have been studying or working in Ukraine, for example. During this period, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will start processing their asylum applications at the same time.
The temporary protection for third-country nationals is being extended for another 6 months. This concerns third-country nationals with a temporary residence permit in Ukraine, who were registered in the Netherlands in the Personal Records Database (BRP) before 19 July 2022.
Instead of being able to stay until 4 March 2023, they can now stay in municipal or private reception facilities for people from Ukraine until 4 September 2023. They will also retain the right to medical care, a living allowance, education up to the age of 18 and the opportunity to work.
The IND will start handling the asylum cases in the coming period, starting with the approximately 1,200 applications from third-country nationals from safe countries of origin. 100 promising asylum cases from Yemen and Syria will also be given priority. These are mainly people who were still in the asylum procedure when Russia invaded Ukraine, for example. The IND will then process the other applications from this group (approximately 3,300). They will not be given priority over other asylum seekers who have already been waiting for a decision for a long time.
If an asylum application is rejected, there is the possibility of appeal. After asylum status has been granted, suitable housing will be sought for those concerned. This will reduce the pressure on the asylum reception centres as much as possible.
After 4 September, the protection under the temporary directive will lapse. If the asylum application is still being processed at that time, the applicant will be entitled to regular reception facilities.
Originally published at https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2023/02/10/third-country-nationals-in-reception-centres-for-ukrainian-refugees-can-now-stay-for-another-6-months
