Following months of restricted entry, the German government appears to be lifting its blockade on the arrival of Afghan nationals who have previously received assurances of acceptance into the country. Sources within the government indicate that Afghan families are expected to begin traveling to Germany in the coming days. Those affected have reportedly been informed that an extended period of bureaucratic delays – in some cases lasting nearly two years – is coming to an end.
The individuals are expected to travel to Germany via commercial flights, with connections through cities such as Dubai or Istanbul, mirroring a process utilized dozens of times since the Taliban seized power in the summer of 2021. The precise number of people imminently scheduled to depart for Germany remains currently unclear.
The Foreign Office confirmed that “various review processes” are now being “restarted” with personnel stationed in Pakistan to facilitate the continuation of acceptance procedures.
This shift in policy follows a series of recent court rulings. As reported last week, the Foreign Office faces potential fines for failing to issue visas to Afghan nationals with existing acceptance commitments. Courts have issued approximately two dozen similar emergency decisions in recent weeks, citing legally binding agreements.
The government maintains that it is legally obligated to honor existing, non-revocable commitments of acceptance. One of the plaintiffs in these cases was a legal lecturer awaiting visas for 13 family members currently residing in Pakistan. It remains unconfirmed whether this group is among those now authorized to travel.
The Foreign Office had initially filed appeals with the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court in some instances, though a portion of these appeals were subsequently withdrawn.
