Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on 14 February 2026, Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced a new ‘offensive’ to step up forced returns of rejected asylum seekers to Syria and Iraq. Karner said he had held bilateral talks with Swiss, German and Balkan counterparts on creating joint charter flights and establishing extraterritorial return centres outside the EU, echoing elements of the soon-to-be-implemented EU Migration Pact.
Austria currently refrains from deportations to war-torn Syria for security and human-rights reasons, relying instead on ‘tolerated stay’ permits that allow only limited labour-market access. The minister argued that parts of both Syria and Iraq are now ‘sufficiently stable’ for returns and that Austria must ‘restore credibility to its asylum system’. NGOs immediately questioned the legality of the plan, citing non-refoulement obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
![Austrian Interior Minister Plans ‘Deportation Offensive’ to Syria and Iraq]()
For employers the announcement raises practical questions. Workers whose legal status hinges on humanitarian stay may face sudden status loss, while HR teams sponsoring Red-White-Red Cards must brace for reputational risks if employees are caught in enforcement operations. Immigration lawyers expect a spike in appeals and an uptick in applications for labour-market permits as at-risk migrants seek alternatives to removal.
In this fluid environment, VisaHQ can provide invaluable assistance by guiding employers and individuals through Austria’s ever-changing visa and residence requirements. Its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) offers up-to-date information on work permits, Red-White-Red Cards, humanitarian visas and other legal pathways, helping applicants compile documentation, track deadlines and submit error-free filings—reducing the risk of costly delays or compliance missteps.
Karner’s initiative underscores a broader regional trend: Germany and Denmark are likewise exploring ‘safe-zone’ designations for parts of Syria. If Austria proceeds, it could test the EU’s forthcoming Return Sponsorship mechanism under which member states share responsibility—and liability—for deportations. Final decisions are expected after an Interior Ministry fact-finding mission to Baghdad and Damascus in March.
Austria currently refrains from deportations to war-torn Syria for security and human-rights reasons, relying instead on ‘tolerated stay’ permits that allow only limited labour-market access. The minister argued that parts of both Syria and Iraq are now ‘sufficiently stable’ for returns and that Austria must ‘restore credibility to its asylum system’. NGOs immediately questioned the legality of the plan, citing non-refoulement obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
For employers the announcement raises practical questions. Workers whose legal status hinges on humanitarian stay may face sudden status loss, while HR teams sponsoring Red-White-Red Cards must brace for reputational risks if employees are caught in enforcement operations. Immigration lawyers expect a spike in appeals and an uptick in applications for labour-market permits as at-risk migrants seek alternatives to removal.
In this fluid environment, VisaHQ can provide invaluable assistance by guiding employers and individuals through Austria’s ever-changing visa and residence requirements. Its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) offers up-to-date information on work permits, Red-White-Red Cards, humanitarian visas and other legal pathways, helping applicants compile documentation, track deadlines and submit error-free filings—reducing the risk of costly delays or compliance missteps.
Karner’s initiative underscores a broader regional trend: Germany and Denmark are likewise exploring ‘safe-zone’ designations for parts of Syria. If Austria proceeds, it could test the EU’s forthcoming Return Sponsorship mechanism under which member states share responsibility—and liability—for deportations. Final decisions are expected after an Interior Ministry fact-finding mission to Baghdad and Damascus in March.
