Applications for international protection (asylum applications) have to be done directly at the police station or with a police officer. Following the application, you will be brought to a specialized police department where the so-called “initial interview” will take place. The police will question you on your identity, your fleeing route and – very briefly – your reasons for fleeing.
The police department will then forward your data to the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA). The BFA will decide whether you will be admitted to the regular asylum procedure in Austria or if another European country is responsible for examining your asylum application (see: “Can my application for asylum be examined in another European country?”) In any case, you will have an interview at the BFA before this decision.
If you are not admitted to the Austrian asylum procedure, you may appeal against the negative decision within the given period. Legal counselling will be provided to assist you in this case.
If you are admitted to the Austrian asylum procedure, you will receive a residence entitlement card (= white card). At this point you will likely be transferred to a reception facility in one of the Austrian Provinces. You will then have an interview at the BFA Office in your Province where you will be asked detailed questions about your reasons for fleeing your country.
In case your asylum application is rejected, you can file an appeal against the decision, on which the Federal Administrative Court will decide within the given period. Legal counselling will be provided to assist you in this case. All decisions in the asylum procedure are taken by the Austrian authorities and courts. Please note, UNHCR is not involved in the decision making process.
For more info on the Austrian asylum procedure see:
Infographic (by Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum)