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How and where do I apply for asylum?

In Austria, you can file your application for asylum with the police. This is irrespective of where you are located in Austria. You can go to any security or police authority or to an initial reception centre. Initial reception centres are located in Thalham in the federal province of Upper Austria and in Traiskirchen in the federal province of Lower Austria. Tell the police that you require Austria's protection. As soon as an application for asylum has been made, there is usually protection against deportation. This means that your stay in Austria is permitted until a decision has been taken on your application for asylum.

What happens when I apply for asylum with the police?

The police records your personal details, takes a picture of you and takes prints of your fingers. With your fingerprints, it is checked whether you have already filed an application for asylum in another country. Show the police all the documents and papers that you have with you. The police will ask you questions - for instance, on your home, your family, your birthday or your path to Austria. Only pass on correct information and only say what you know for sure. An interpreter translates during this interview. At the end, a transcript of the hearing is issued that is back-translated into your language. Please check the transcript for errors. With your signature, you confirm that the transcript is correct. Have a copy of the transcript handed to you.
If you have filed your application for asylum with the police at the airport, you can initially be detained at the airport. You may be detained there for a maximum of 6 weeks. You have the right to a legal adviser who is informed by the state of Austria.

What happens next after I have been interviewed by the police?

The Austrian Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) makes a so-called "predictive decision" on the basis of the initial hearing by the police. The BFA thus decides whether Austria is likely to be responsible for your asylum proceedings or not. Your application for asylum is deemed to have been submitted with the predictive decision. Depending on the predictive decision, you will either be housed in an initial reception centre or in distributor accommodation.

What happens if Austria is likely NOT responsible for my asylum proceedings?

If Austria is likely not responsible for your asylum proceedings, you will be housed in an initial reception centre (Thalham in Upper Austria or Traiskirchen in Lower Austria). There, you will be examined by a doctor. Tell the doctor if you are in pain or already fell sick in your home country. The doctor can treat you and give you medication.

What happens if Austria is likely responsible for my asylum proceedings?

If Austria is likely responsible for your asylum proceedings, you will be housed temporarily in a support facility of the federal government (distributor accommodation). The approval proceedings commence. In the distributor accommodation, you will be examined by a doctor. Tell the doctor if you are in pain or already fell sick in your home country. The doctor can treat you and give you medication.