Belgian minister travels to Congo to deter asylum seekers
Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Belgium’s minister for Asylum and Migration, has travelled to Democratic Republic of the Congo on a mission to discourage people from seeking asylum in Belgium.
The visit comes as the number of Congolese applicants has risen sharply in recent years. Around 1,250 people applied in 2023, increasing to 2,500 in 2025. In the first three months of 2026 alone, more than 450 applications were made.
Van Bossuyt said the figures are “far too high”, noting that only a small share of applicants are granted protection. In 2025, fewer than 15% of Congolese claims were approved.
She argued that many applicants come from Kinshasa rather than conflict-affected regions in the east and suggested their reasons are mainly economic. Economic motives do not qualify for asylum under Belgian rules, and such applications are usually processed quickly and rejected.
The minister also claimed some people misuse visa procedures by entering Belgium on tourist visas and then applying for asylum, which is not permitted.
During her visit, Van Bossuyt will speak to local and international media and meet Interior minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, as well as migration officials. The aim is to strengthen cooperation on returns policy and tackle irregular migration.
An online campaign has also been launched to reinforce the message that those seeking asylum for economic reasons are unlikely to succeed in Belgium.
© BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN