Regular Asylum Procedure

1. You enter Austria and ask for asylum

• Say clearly: “Ich möchte Asyl” (I want asylum).
• Police may take your phone, money, and documents.
• You get a first short interview and your fingerprints are taken.

  2. Dublin check (Green Card)

• Austria checks if another EU country is responsible (Dublin system).
• If yes: Austria will try to deport you back.
  You can appeal a Dublin decision within 2 weeks!
• If no: You move to the regular asylum process in Austria.

  3. Stay in Federal Reception Center

• You are brought to Traiskirchen, Thalham, or Schwechat Airport.
• You are now officially in the admission phase.

  4. Austria accepts your case (White Card)

• If Austria accepts responsibility, you receive the white card.
• You will be moved to regional accommodation.

  5. BFA Interview

• You are invited to a detailed interview with the BFA.
• This is your chance to explain your story.
  Ask for:
• An interpreter in your language.
• A trusted person to accompany you.
• A female officer if needed.
  What you say here is extremely important. Be honest, clear, and consistent.

  6. Waiting for Decision

  The BFA decides if you receive:

• Asylum (Blue Card)
• Subsidiary protection (Grey Card)
• Duldung (Yellow Card Type 1 – tolerated stay)
• Negative decision

  7. If you get a positive decision

• If you get Asylum or Subsidiary Protection you can work, study, move freely… YEAY!

  7. If you get a negative decision

• You can appeal within 4 weeks – act quickly!
• You may be sent to a return center.
• You may still get a Duldung if deportation is not possible.

Special Procedures

✈️ ## Airport procedure

• If you apply at the airport, you may be held in the transit zone.
• There is a shorter timeframe (max 6 weeks).

  Fast-Track or Checkpoint procedures

• Applies to people from “safe” countries.
• Very short deadlines – sometimes only 3 days.
• Be careful what you say in the first interviews!

Card System Overview

🟩 Green Card: Dublin check or age test
⚪ White Card: Austria handles your case
🔵 Blue Card: Asylum granted
🔘 Grey Card: Subsidiary protection
🟡 Yellow Card 1: Duldung (tolerated stay)
🟡 Yellow Card 2: Got status but no refugee passport

How to Protect Yourself

• Always have an interpreter for every interview
• Don’t sign any paper if you don’t understand or disagree with what is written
• Always ask for a copy of what you sign
• Pick up letters and contact legal aid immediately if you receive a decision or are invited for an interview
• Keep in touch with trusted people or organizations