In a situation of instrumentalisation, third-country nationals and stateless persons could apply for international protection at the external border or in a transit zone of a Member State, often being persons apprehended in connection with unauthorised crossings of the external border by land, sea or air or who are disembarked following search and rescue operations. This can lead, in particular, to an unexpected significant increase in the caseload of applications for international protection at the external borders. In that regard, effective and genuine access to the international protection procedure must be ensured in accordance with Article 18 of and the Geneva Convention.