IMPACT — MEDIUM

The German government launched a new entry program for at-risk Afghan nationals.

Key Points:

  • The Federal Admission Program for Afghanistan will allow authorized agencies to nominate Afghan nationals to enter Germany if they:
    • Are at risk through their commitment to women’s and human rights or their work in academia, culture, education, justice, media, politics or sports and are vulnerable to violence; or
    • Have experienced or are experiencing violence or persecution based on their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion and are at personal risk.
  • Afghan nationals must currently live in Afghanistan to be eligible.
  • Individuals selected for the program will receive assistance to leave Afghanistan; once they are out of Afghanistan, they can collect their visa at Germany embassies or consulates in neighboring countries.

Additional Information: German authorities plan to approve around 1,000 Afghans along with their family members to enter Germany every month. More information regarding the Federal Admission Program for Afghanistan is available here.

BAL Analysis: No individual application option is currently available. German authorities plan to open the program to individual applications in the coming months. BAL will continue to follow developments specifically affecting Afghan nationals and will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The German government has extended its policy that lifted most COVID-19 entry restrictions.

Key Points:

  • Until at least Jan. 31, individuals who are traveling to Germany from countries other than China will continue to be able to enter the country without facing COVID-19 entry restrictions.
  • Those who are not German nationals and live in China must have an important reason to travel to Germany due to reciprocity rules between the two countries.
  • Travelers are no longer required show a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, COVID-19 recovery certificate or negative COVID-19 test to enter the country.
  • The policies had been set to expire on Sept 30 but were extended through Jan. 31.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The German government has announced that it will be increasing the amount foreign nationals must have in a blocked bank account to obtain a student visa.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, foreign nationals must have €11,208 in a blocked bank account to satisfy the financial resources requirement when applying for a student visa.
  • Until Jan. 1, 2023, foreign nationals need €10,332 in a blocked bank account to satisfy the financial resources requirement when applying for a student visa.
  • Foreign students will only be permitted to withdraw €934 per month from their blocked bank account.

Additional Information: Many countries have providers that offer blocked bank accounts; more information on local blocked account providers is available at German missions abroad.

BAL Analysis: Foreign students should note the new amount they will be required to have in a blocked bank account when applying for a student visa in Germany and plan accordingly.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The German government has extended its policy of lifting COVID-19 entry restrictions for most travelers except for those from China.

Key Points:

  • Until at least Sept. 30, individuals who are traveling to Germany from countries other than China will continue to face no COVID-19 entry restrictions.
  • Those who are not German nationals and live in China must have an important reason to travel to Germany due to reciprocity rules between the two countries.
  • Travelers are no longer required show COVID-19 vaccination certificate, COVID-19 recovery certificate or negative COVID-19 test to enter the country.
  • The policies had been set to expire on Aug. 31 but were extended through Sept. 30.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The German government has lifted its COVID-19 entry restrictions for most travelers except those traveling from China.

Key Points:

  • As of June 11, individuals who are traveling to Germany from countries other than China will no longer face COVID-19 entry restrictions, including those traveling for tourism or to visit people in Germany.
  • Those who are not German nationals and live in China must have an important reason to travel to Germany due to reciprocity rules between the two countries.
  • Travelers are no longer required show a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, COVID-19 recovery certificate or negative COVID-19 test to enter the country.

Additional Information: More information regarding Germany’s decision to lift its COVID-19 entry restrictions is available here.

BAL Analysis: COVID-19 entry restriction no longer apply to most people traveling to Germany. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Italian government has lifted all COVID-related entry requirements for those traveling to the country.

Key Points:

  • As of June 1, individuals who are traveling to Italy no longer face COVID-related entry requirements.
  • Italian authorities no longer require travelers to have a “Green Pass” to enter the country, meaning travelers are not required show a COVID-19 vaccination or recovery certificate or test for COVID-19 before or after arrival.

BAL Analysis: COVID-19 entry requirements no longer apply to those traveling to the Italy. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The German government has extended its COVID-19 entry restrictions until at least May 31.

Key Points:

  • Until at least May 31, individuals traveling to Germany, regardless of their departure country, must have one of the following:
    • Proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
    • Proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or proof of a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours before departure.
    • Proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 28 to 90 days.
  • Travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival.

Additional information: Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing requirements. Travelers coming from high-risk areas are required to complete a digital registration; at this time, there are no countries designated as high-risk. More information on Germany’s entry requirements and health protocols can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The German government has launched an online application process for Ukrainian refugees applying for residence permits.

Key Points:

  • Ukrainian refugees can now submit their residence permit applications online through this portal.
  • Such individuals are still required to appear in-person at a local immigration office to complete the identity check and submit their biometric data. Applicants will receive an invitation for an appointment through the online portal.
  • As of April 27, the online application is available to those applying in the districts and municipalities listed here.

Additional information: The online application is part of a pilot program that includes more than 50 immigration offices from ten federal states. More information regarding the pilot program is available here.

BAL Analysis: The German government continues to consider other immigration concessions for Ukrainian nationals and their family members. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the war in Ukraine may change with little or no notice.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – HIGH

The German government has removed all countries from its high-risk areas list.

Key Points:

  • As of March 3, German authorities removed the U.S. and all other countries from its high-risk areas list. Travelers from these countries are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival or have additional PCR tests taken.
  • Travelers, regardless of their departure country, must complete digital entry registration, have proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival, or they must have proof of recovery within 90 days before arrival.

Additional information: Children under the age of six are exempt from testing requirements. More information on Germany’s entry requirements and health protocols can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The German government has added 19 countries to its COVID-19 “high-risk areas” list.

Key Points:

  • As of Jan. 23, authorities added Brazil, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia and 15 other countries to the “high-risk areas” list. The U.S. and the U.K remain designated as high-risk as well.
  • Individuals who have traveled through a high-risk area within 10 days of intended arrival must:
    • Digitally register through this website and carry the registration confirmation when entering Germany.
    • Have proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken with 48 hours of arrival unless fully vaccinated or has previously recovered.
    • Quarantine for ten days upon arrival unless fully vaccinated or previously recovered.
  • Travelers can reduce their quarantine after the fifth day after arrival if a negative test result is provided.
    • More information regarding quarantine requirements is available here.

Additional information: Children under the age of six are exempt from testing requirements. A full list of the high-risk and virus-variant areas can be found here. More information on Germany’s entry requirements and health protocols can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.