The European Union has unveiled new measures aimed at streamlining the asylum application process for migrants from certain countries, including Bangladesh, Colombia, Morocco, and Tunisia. Under the new rules, applicants from these nations will have their cases fast-tracked, with decisions expected within three months instead of the usual six.
The European Commission identified seven countries – also including Egypt, India, and Kosovo – as “safe third countries.” Asylum seekers from these nations will undergo expedited procedures, and their applications are likely to be rejected faster if deemed unfounded. The policy aims to reduce delays and speed up deportations to manage migrant reception more effectively.
European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert emphasized that the measures will not compromise fundamental human rights, stating, “We streamline and speed up the processing of asylum applications, but we do not cut back on fundamental and human rights.”
This move follows a year of reforms aimed at addressing the migration challenges faced by the EU, especially after over 1 million migrants arrived in 2015, mostly fleeing conflicts in Syria and Iraq. However, the broader overhaul of the EU asylum system will not take effect until at least June 2026. In the meantime, these new measures are intended to reduce pressure on migrant reception facilities and combat “asylum shopping.”
The proposal requires approval from both EU member states and the European Parliament before implementation. It also includes provisions to fast-track asylum applications for individuals coming from EU candidate countries, such as Albania, Bosnia, and Turkey, as well as countries where fewer than 20% of applicants are granted asylum.
Lammert noted that the list aims to harmonize asylum procedures across member states, contributing to reduced “secondary movements” and improving the efficiency of the system.
