German delays Afghan family reunification amid embassy closures

Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court ruled on 24 July 2024 that the blanket revocation of entry promises for Afghan asylum seekers was arbitrary, but the court did not grant visas, ordering a case‑by‑case review. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has framed each admission as an individual decision, prompting criticism that the government is abandoning its protection commitments and cooperating with the Taliban on deportations.

Afghan families seeking reunification face years of waiting. The closure of the German embassy in Tehran and reduced staff in Kabul after security attacks have left applicants unable to secure visa appointments. Official estimates of a waiting period exceed 52 weeks, but many families report delays of two to three years. Without a functioning German diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, applicants must apply through German missions in Iran or Pakistan, further complicating the process and leaving families in prolonged uncertainty.