Since 29.03.2023 the German federal admission programme for Afghans at risk is temporarily on hold due to suspected cases of abuse. Please note that the federal admission programme is not cancelled. It means that until further notice all German Embassies are not processing or issuing German visas for Afghans with acceptance to Germany (individuals issued with a file number). For this reason, all logistical support by GIZ and Kabul Luftbruecke for Afghans with acceptance to Germany is temporarily suspended, including the allocation of new visa appointments, GIZ transports and flights to Germany provided by GIZ. It does not affect your approval of admission to Germany but it is not possible for you to travel to Germany at the moment.
According to the concerned authorities in Germany, the federal admission programme will resume as soon as security procedures are established in the visa process within the admission programme. As of now, we do not know how long the suspension will last, nor do we know when the process will resume, but most likely it will take several weeks.
As soon as we have detailed information about the further procedure, we will update you here.
Please also check the websites of the foreign ministry/ ministry of interior as well as the respective embassies regularly for updates.
*This information applies only to the visa process under the German Government’s admission programme for Afghan citizens at risk and does not affect other cases, such as family reunification cases.
Why is the visa issuing process on hold?
The reason for the suspension of the programme is suspected abuse. The German Government has therefore decided to establish a new security procedure in the visa process. It is currently not clear what this exactly means. However, please note that this does not mean that the program is cancelled and does not affect your approval of admission.
AFGHANISTAN
If you have been accepted to Germany and are in Afghanistan, the normal procedure would be travelling to a third country and attend an interview at the German Embassy. Currently, that is not possible.
Can I travel to other countries than Iran or Pakistan in order to attend my visa appointment at a German embassy?
I am still in Afghanistan but have already made arrangements to travel to Iran or Pakistan soon. What should I do?
IRAN
The visa procedure of the federal admission program for Afghanistan will, regardless of the status, not resume in the German Embassy in Tehran, but ONLY in Islamabad. All pending families with approval to Germany will have to go through an additional security mechanism in Islamabad.
This measure has different implications for the applicants:
I have a visa appointment in Tehran and it has not been canceled yet. What should I do?
I requested a visa appointment in Tehran but did not get a confirmation. What is the next step?
I made travel arrangements for Iran but my visa appointment was cancelled. What should I do?
I am in Iran and my visa is about to expire – what should I do?
I have accommodation funded by GIZ and have not attended my visa appointment. How long can I stay?
I’m in Iran without GIZ accommodation and have not attended my visa appointment yet. What should I do?
In case you have already attended your appointment at the German embassy in Tehran and are currently waiting for your German visa to be issued:
In case you already have a German visa and are waiting for departure from Iran to Germany:
PAKISTAN
If you have acceptance to Germany and are in Pakistan, normally you would be required to attend an interview at the German Embassy. Currently, that is not possible.
