Spain Has Processed Over Half a Million Applications for International Protection in Last 30 Years
The data have been presented through the main balance sheet of its activity on the 30th anniversary of OAR, which is also responsible for processing applications for international protection and statelessness in Spain, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 20, the Spanish government stated that of these 586,595 files, a total of 375,296, or 64 per cent, have been processed from 2018 to date.
“As regards this 2022, the OAR/Subdirectorate General for International Protection has processed 46,871 international protection files (data as of May 31) and has managed, resolved, and granted more than 124,000 temporary protections to people displaced by the war in Ukraine,” the statement reads.
In 2022, the recognition rate stood at 15.66 per cent, compared to 10.27 per cent in 2021.
In 2022, the two main nationalities of applicants for international protection are the same as in 2021, which are the Venezuelans with 18,879 applicants and the Colombians with 12,784.
Meanwhile, according to the country of submission, the largest number of applications in autonomous communities are
- the Community of Madrid with 18,992 applications
- Andalusia with 4,562 applications
- Catalonia with 3,674 applications
The current situation in Ukraine has prompted the Ministry to intensify efforts to reconcile day-to-day management with the guidance of new files arising from these emergencies.
Since it entered into force last March, the OAR has provided 124,000 temporary protections to those displaced by the war in Ukraine. Of the 124,000 protections granted, 98.56 per cent were for people of Ukrainian nationality and 1.44 per cent for other third-country nationals.
“Regarding the profile of the Ukrainian refugee in Spain, 65.95 per cent are women, and 34.05 per cent are men; 36.52 per cent are under 18 years old, 24.27 per cent between 19 and 35, 32.61 per cent between 36 and 64, and 6.60 per cent are over 65 years old,” the statement reveals.
Temporary protection for all Ukrainian refugees includes a residence permit for adults and a work permit. Furthermore, the General Directorate of Traffic has determined that displaced persons receiving temporary protection can legally use their driving license in Spain for at least one year.
On June 21, the government announced that since the start of the war in Ukraine, Spain has provided temporary protection to more than 124,000 Ukrainian refugees. In addition, more than 8,100 refugees from Ukraine have found work in this country in the last three months.
