Number of naturalization applications increases: Processing time also
While the number of naturalization applications in Hamburg is steadily increasing, their processing is taking longer and longer. While the average processing time at the beginning of 2020 was still five months, in the third quarter of this year it took more than twice as long on average (eleven months) to review the applications and reach an initial decision, according to the Senate's response to a minor question from the CDU parliamentary group.
At the same time, the number of ongoing procedures is increasing: On October 31, 21,789 applications were being processed - 2819 more than six months earlier, which corresponds to an increase of almost 13 percent.
According to the Senate's response, 10,568 applications had been submitted by October 31. According to the information, 6,279 men and women had been naturalized as of 8 November - 5 fewer than in the entire previous year. With 1938 new citizens so far this year, Syrians are once again by far the largest group, followed by Afghans (734) and Iranians (596).
"In view of the new citizenship law adopted by the traffic light coalition, the number will continue to rise," CDU parliamentary group leader Dennis Thering told the German Press Agency. It is therefore "essential that the responsible office is appropriately staffed in order to cope with the mountain of applications."
The department responsible for processing naturalization applications in the Office for Migration was increased by eleven positions in July of this year, writes the Senate. However, only four positions have been filled. Further positions are still being advertised. "As the advertised positions could not be filled as planned due to the applicant situation, further personnel planning also depends on the extent to which the currently advertised positions can be filled."
The staffing situation is apparently also reflected in the number of consultations. While 14,414 and 11,627 consultations were held in 2020/2021 - at the height of the coronavirus crisis - the number was 10,809 last year and 8591 this year up to the end of October.
Despite the backlog of applications, processing must be carried out without compromising the quality of the examination of naturalization requirements, said Thering. "Especially since the horrific attack by Hamas on Israel, it is even more important to take a close look at who is granted German citizenship."
Amidst this increase in naturalization applications, it's crucial for the office handling migrations to efficiently staff up. The backlog of applications could potentially be reduced with more personnel, as only four out of the eleven newly added positions have been filled so far.
The current migration trend, with Syrians, Afghans, and Iranians comprising the majority of new citizens, may contribute to the surge in naturalization applications, further emphasizing the need for efficient processing.
Source: www.dpa.com
