Was kann ich tun, wenn das BFA nicht entscheidet?

Nach Ablauf der gesetzlichen Frist ist eine Säumnisbeschwerde an das Bundesverwaltungsgericht möglich. Oft hilft vorher schon eine anwaltliche Nachfrage.

Und wenn das Bundesverwaltungsgericht nicht entscheidet?

Dann kann ein Fristsetzungsantrag an den Verwaltungsgerichtshof gestellt werden (§ 38 VwGG). Der VwGH setzt dem Gericht eine Frist für die Entscheidung.

Soll ich auf eine schnelle Entscheidung drängen?

Nur bei einem starken Fall. Fehlen klare Gründe, kann die Zeit für Integration wichtiger sein. Das besprechen wir in der Erstberatung.

Long Asylum Procedure | Immigration Lawyer Vienna

In short

Long waiting times are common in asylum procedures.
An enquiry by a lawyer often helps on its own.
Against inaction: a complaint about inaction (Säumnisbeschwerde) if the BFA is the one delaying, an application for a deadline (Fristsetzungsantrag) if the Federal Administrative Court is.
Not every case benefits from a quick decision.

Waiting time

Waiting is not the only option

An application without an interview, an appeal without a summons to a hearing, a hearing without a decision: long waiting times are unfortunately common in asylum procedures. From our practice we know that a single phone call can often get things moving.

Options

How to get the procedure moving

Phone call or e-mail

An enquiry by a lawyer with the official in charge of your case often leads to a summons on its own.

Complaint about inaction

If the BFA does not decide within the statutory time limit, a complaint about inaction (Säumnisbeschwerde) can be lodged with the Federal Administrative Court (BVwG). The authority must then catch up. More on the complaint about inaction: How the complaint about inaction works →

Application for a deadline

If the Federal Administrative Court does not decide in time, an application for a deadline (Fristsetzungsantrag) can be filed. The Supreme Administrative Court then sets a deadline for the decision.

Strategy

Not every case should be decided quickly

Strong case

If there are clear grounds for asylum and the authority usually decides positively in comparable cases, it is worth pushing for a quick decision.

Weak case

If there are no clear grounds or the situation in the country of origin has improved, the time may be more valuable for integration: learning German, working, getting involved.

Which applies to you is something we tell you honestly in the initial consultation.

From our practice: The Federal Administrative Court had not decided on a Syrian man's appeal for more than a year. After our application for a deadline, it granted him asylum in the same month. Read the case (in German) →

Questions we get asked

Long procedures: short answers

What can I do if the BFA does not decide?

Once the statutory time limit has expired, a complaint about inaction to the Federal Administrative Court is possible. An enquiry by a lawyer often helps even before that.

And if the Federal Administrative Court does not decide?

Then an application for a deadline can be filed with the Supreme Administrative Court (§ 38 VwGG). The VwGH sets the court a deadline for the decision.

Should I push for a quick decision?

Only if your case is strong. If there are no clear grounds, the time may be more valuable for integration. We discuss this in the initial consultation.

Does it harm my procedure if I file a complaint about inaction?

The complaint about inaction is a legal remedy provided by law against the authority's inaction, not against your application. However, the decision is based on the facts and the law. If your case is not yet sufficiently supported by evidence, a forced decision may be negative. That is why we review your case before we file the complaint.