As at 22 February 2023 Information for former Afghan local employees working for German development cooperation

The German government is making it possible for the people who supported us on the ground in the past few years in our development cooperation with the former Afghan government, and who now face individual danger as a consequence that goes beyond the general risk currently prevailing in the country, to be admitted into Germany and to leave Afghanistan.

Logo: Federal Foreign Office

Frequently asked questions: Assistance leaving Afghanistan External link

Germany has a special responsibility towards these people. That is why the German government has set up a process that enables Afghan women and men to be admitted into Germany, if their former activities in the service of German bilateral development cooperation mean that they are exposed to particular individual risk. The German government examines, in particular, the risks that a person is currently facing and the extent to which they are linked with the person's former activity.

German bilateral development cooperation employers are helping to protect local employees in Afghanistan by means of various measures which have proved their practical value. In exceptionally high-risk cases, the German government is allowing former local employees entry into Germany and is helping them to leave Afghanistan safely. A requirement is that the person in question must have a valid passport and a valid visa for the transit country. The cost of leaving Afghanistan either by land or on a civilian flight is financed by the BMZ. More than 2,400 former local employees working for German development cooperation have come to Germany since May 2021 – more than 11,000 persons all together counting family members.


  1. back to the overview page on Afghanistan

As at: 22/02/2023