DNA tests. Migrants import relatives, Austria is running out of patience

The People’s Prime Minister announced more and more perfect use of genetic tests to prove family relationships. It is true that those who have received asylum in Austria can bring their partner or minor children here

DNA tests are currently only used in individual cases.

When asked by Die Presse what is the difference compared to the current legal situation, the tile industry replied that DNA tests are currently only used in individual cases. The law states: “If a foreigner is unable to prove a presumed family relationship by means of indisputable documents or other suitable and equivalent means of certification, the Federal Office or the Federal Administrative Court shall, at his request and expense, allow him to carry out a DNA analysis.”

“However, DNA tests will now have to be done in case of the slightest doubt – so that we can be absolutely sure that there is no abuse,” Nehammer said. Initially, the costs will still be borne by the migrants themselves. If the relationship is confirmed, they will be reimbursed. Such a so-called confirmation of parentage costs approximately 200 euros (five thousand crowns).

New inspectors will go into action

As part of family reunification, Austria should also strengthen checks with the help of document experts and security authorities according to the new decree, Der Standard newspaper wrote.

“We will limit family reunification through strict controls,” Nehammer said, without elaborating on how common fraud in these procedures has been so far.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) were tasked with “effectively implementing the measures in the coming days”.

In addition, specially trained document inspectors are to be deployed even more intensively and increased security checks of family members by security authorities are planned.

The burden is crushing Vienna

The immigration of close relatives of people who have been granted refugee status by the Austrian authorities has been made more difficult by the covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, there was a large increase in the number of these immigrants, especially in Vienna.

The metropolis feels particularly burdened, as many asylum seekers move to the capital from other federal states. Christoph Wiederkehr (Neos), Vienna’s councilor for education and deputy mayor, reported at the end of April that in the last month alone, Viennese schools had accepted 350 new children due to family reunification. Vienna councilor for education and deputy mayor. That is why they set up new classrooms in construction containers in schools.

The Austrian Ministry of the Interior registered about 6,900 asylum applications in the first quarter of the year. For the whole of last year, the share of those who came to the country to visit family members was 16 percent.