Georgians massively apply for asylum in EU Due to Russia’s occupation of lands

Some 28,797 Georgian citizens applied for asylum in the EU in 2022, which is almost twofold more than in 2021.

Around 26,400 Georgians made such a request to European countries for the first time, while 2,397 Georgians for the second time, Kommersant reports citing the EU Agency for Asylum.

The EU has already accepted 18,850 applications of Georgian citizens for consideration, but only 468 people have received refugee status. Some 15,328 petitions filed in different years are under consideration.

One of the asylum seekers' arguments is the danger they face regarding Russia's occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The references to the Russian occupation are made as one of the arguments not only in the petitions of Georgian refugees from these republics but also by residents of other regions. Moreover, applicants often refer to social problems, health problems, political persecution, etc.

Most often, Georgians apply for asylum in Germany and France. Georgia’s visa-free regime with the EU has been valid since March 2017.

During the time that has passed since then, about 300,000 Georgians have left for the EU as tourists, but have not returned, they have stayed there as illegal immigrants.

If they can not find a job in any European country, they apply for asylum, although they may be deported in case of refusal.

According to the Readmission Agreement, Georgia undertook to return illegal emigrants to the homeland through the Georgian budgetary funds.

Moreover, those who deliberately and knowingly help Georgian citizens to travel to Western countries (the EU and the US) to stay there illegally may be imprisoned up to four years in a Georgian prison.