Pakistan is to be added to the list of countries subject to accelerated processing for international protection applications, Minister Jim O’Callaghan has today announced.
An accelerated decision-making process was introduced in November 2022, resulting in international protection applicants that fall under the procedure receiving faster first decisions.
The Department says that the current decision timeline of four months is expected to “reduce in the coming months”.
International Protection applications from Pakistan have grown “considerably” in recent years, with Pakistan nationals ranked as the second highest nationality for applications for international protection in each of the last two quarters, according to the Department.
Minister O’Callaghan said of the change that it “allows us to adapt to the changing patterns of international protection”.
“I am committed to ensuring that the protection system works for those who genuinely need our help,” the minister said.
“One of ways in which we do this is to prioritise certain applications: for people from safe countries, or from those countries with a large number of applications.
“This approach allows us to adapt to the changing patterns of international protection and is a critical element of our firm but fair approach,” Minister O’Callaghan said.
Accelerated processing, as of this month, applies to applicants from the following 15 “safe countries of origin”: Albania; Algeria; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; Egypt; Georgia; India; Kosovo; Malawi; Morocco; Macedonia; Montenegro; Serbia; and South Africa.
It will additionally apply to applicants from countries with a high caseload of applications, which presently include Nigeria and Pakistan.