Aircraft carrying over 40 individuals from Afghanistan touches down in Germany
The resettlement of Afghan refugees in Germany has been a topic of significant discussion in recent times. Here's a breakdown of the current situation, based on recent court rulings and ongoing processes.
A recent court ruling has clarified that a willingness to take in refugees does not automatically guarantee a visa. This ruling grants the federal government considerable leeway in deciding on visas for Afghans, as per the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg.
The resettlement of Afghan individuals, including some high-ranking figures, has been a focus of attention. In one case, a former high-ranking judge and his family were signaled a willingness to place them on a "transition list" in late 2022. However, their visa application was rejected in early summer 2025 due to the suspension of entry within the framework of the resettlement programs.
The resettlement process involves thorough security checks, and all resettled individuals have completed this process. In a recent resettlement, 45 Afghan nationals were welcomed in Hannover, Germany.
It's worth noting that not all resettled individuals have completed all steps in the resettlement process. According to the latest figures, approximately 90% of resettled individuals have not yet completed all steps.
The resumption of the resettlement of Afghan women and men has been announced by the black-red coalition. This decision follows the temporary halt of admission procedures for local personnel and people at risk due to their previous activities, which has been deemed permissible by the court.
The court ruling also allows authorities to review previous decisions regarding resettlement, as long as refugees have not been legally bound to admission. This means that some individuals, despite the program's suspension, have been able to travel to Germany with their relatives due to ongoing legal proceedings.
The institutions responsible for issuing travel documents to the resettled refugees are primarily the German foreign missions and immigration authorities, such as the Ausländerbehörden (foreigners' registration offices), often in cooperation with the Federal Police and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). These institutions oversee identification, registration, and issuance of necessary documents based on German and international regulations applicable to asylum seekers and refugees.
Currently, there are around 2,100 people from the resettlement program in Pakistan and 200 in Afghanistan. These individuals have obtained visas through legal proceedings. Many Afghan families have been waiting for months or years in Islamabad, Pakistan, for resettlement.
The "Kabul Air Bridge" organization supports some of the applicants with their entry. Despite the challenges, the resettlement process continues, offering hope to many Afghan refugees seeking a new home in Germany.
Read also:
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Uncovering Political Ad Transparency: A Guide to Investigating opponent's Political Advertisements in the Digital Realm
- Elon Musk praises JD Vance's debate performance against Tim Walz
- Right-wing Israeli minister supports controversial plan for West Bank settlement expansion
