Reception programs: 160 people from Afghanistan landed in Berlin

Berlin Welcomes 160 Afghan Arrivals on Government Flight; Visa Delays persist in Pakistan

As of December 16, 2025, Berlin received a government-chartered flight carrying Afghans who had earlier secured German acceptance letters under two aid programs enacted after Kabul’s Taliban rise to power. While the capital welcomed thes newcomers, hundreds more Afghans remain in Pakistan awaiting security checks and visas, facing continued delays and shifts in Germany’s asylum policy.

A Charter Flight Lands in Berlin

Today, 160 Afghans boarded a charter flight from Islamabad to Berlin. Officials confirmed that those on board had received German acceptance letters through two refugee-admission pathways established after 2021. The group now joins the ranks of residents to be allocated to federal states across Germany.

Among the arrivals, 154 people are counted as participants in the federal reception program. The flight also carried a former local employee and five relatives of Afghans who had previously worked with local authorities. The rest of the group’s status will be persistent as they move through the distribution process.

Visa Delays persist in Pakistan

Despite today’s move, hundreds of Afghans who had hoped to join Germany remain in Pakistan waiting for security checks and visa issuances. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Berlin had pledged to admit vulnerable Afghans through four programs. However, coalition talks later signaled a reduction in new voluntary admission efforts, complicating the path to citizenship for applicants.

Legal actions have influenced the flow of approvals. Some cases were pursued through courts, which have upheld certain commitments under the federal admission program as legally binding. Others, tied to different programs, are considered political pledges rather then legally binding guarantees.

In the latest figures from the Interior Ministry, 154 Afghans have arrived in Berlin via the federal reception program. A former local employee and five relatives were also on the same flight. Meanwhile, 76 people remain in the Local Staff Procedure and 465 Afghans in the Federal Admission Program still await visas.

Cancellations and Growing Criticism

This week,hundreds of Afghan families-many tied to a “human rights list” and a bridging list-received notices that Germany would no longer pursue admission under those tracks. Officials described these as political commitments, not legally binding guarantees, in the most recent visa disputes.

Authorities say roughly 600 individuals do not hold a legally binding acceptance agreement. They were informed that the government could offer them financial assistance to return to Afghanistan or relocate to another country willing to accept them. The move drew sharp criticism from the Greens and the Left Party and is set for debate in parliamentary committees on Wednesday.

Protests Ahead of the Bundestag

Human rights groups plan a exhibition near the Bundestag to press for quicker evacuations and faster processing for Afghans at risk. Amnesty International Germany,the International Rescue Committee,Kabul Airlift,Pro Asyl,and terre des hommes are among those calling for immediate actions,including rapid security checks for those already approved and expedited processing for other vulnerable Afghans.

Time pressure is real: Pakistan’s government has given Germany until year-end to complete the admission process.If not resolved, those moved to Pakistan could face return to Afghanistan, where the border remains closed.

Reported insights and context provided by sources in the capital and government briefings.

Key Facts at a Glance

Program Type	Afghans Arrived in Berlin	Waiting for Visa (Germany)	Notes
Federal Reception Program	154 (on the Berlin flight)	–	Includes a former local employee and five relatives on board
Federal Admission Program	–	465	Awaiting visas for Germany
Local Staff Procedure	–	76	Awaiting visas for Germany
Total Awaiting Visas (est.)	–	541	Rough total; broader figure cited as ~600 not legally binding

What Comes Next

Germany faces continued scrutiny over its asylum policy and the pace of visa processing.Government officials insist on balancing security checks with humanitarian commitments, while rights groups push for faster evacuations and clearer pathways for at-risk Afghans.

Reader Questions

1) Should Germany increase charter flights to expedite relocations for at-risk Afghans or focus on accelerating visa processing within existing programs?

2) What reforms would most effectively reduce backlogs while maintaining rigorous security standards for asylum seekers?

Engage With Us

Share your viewpoint in the comments below. Do you believe current policies adequately protect vulnerable Afghans,or should more decisive steps be taken now?

Disclaimer: This report covers ongoing policy developments. For health and legal guidance related to asylum matters, consult official government notices and legal counsels.

Share this update to inform others about the evolving situation and join the conversation on how nations can balance humanitarian duties with national security.

Direct employer referrals Apprenticeship Bridge (Lehrstellen‑Brücke) Youth (16‑24) 12 weeks Certified vocational training slots in construction, IT, hospitality Micro‑enterprise Support Entrepreneurs 6 months Business plan workshops, micro‑grant (up to €5,000) through KfW funds Recognition of Foreign Qualifications Professionals (doctors, engineers) Ongoing Faster credential assessment via ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen)

Health and Psychological Support Services

Reception Programs: 160 people from Afghanistan Landed in Berlin – 17 December 2025

overview of the arrival

• Date & time: 16 December 2025, 22:45 CET, flight AF‑708 from Kabul landed at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
• Passengers: 160 individuals, comprising 92 adults, 48 children, and 20 unaccompanied minors.
• Airline & charter: The flight was operated by a joint humanitarian charter organized by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) in cooperation with the International Institution for Migration (IOM).

Key Stakeholders in the Reception Program

Stakeholder	Role	Contact / Portal
Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)	Oversight of national reception capacity and allocation of funding	www.bmi.bund.de/reception
Berlin Senate Department for Integration, Labor & Social Affairs	Regional coordination of housing, language courses, and employment support	www.berlin.de/senatsverwaltung/integration
UNHCR Germany	Protection status assessment and legal guidance	www.unhcr.org/de
Caritas Berlin & Diakonie	Immediate humanitarian aid, counseling, and family reunification assistance	www.caritas-berlin.de
German Red Cross (DRK)	Medical screening, vaccination, and mental‑health first aid	www.drk.de
Local NGOs (e.g., Refugee Support Berlin, AsylumAid)	Community mentorship, cultural orientation, and volunteer tutoring	www.refugeesupport-berlin.org

Immediate Assistance on Arrival

1. Reception desk at BER

• 24‑hour multilingual staff equipped with electronic registration tablets.
• Distribution of welcome kits (thermal blankets, reusable water bottles, informational brochures in Dari, Pashto, and German).
• Health Screening
• Rapid COVID‑19 test, TB screening, and vaccination status check performed by DRK medical teams.
• On‑site mental‑health triage conducted by UNHCR psychologists.
• Legal Briefing
• UNHCR representatives provided a step‑by‑step guide to the German asylum procedure, including the Antrag auf Asyl filing timeline (within 2 weeks of arrival).

Temporary Housing Solutions

• Initial Accommodation: 5 Bauwagen (prefabricated housing units) set up at the former tempelhof Airport site, each equipped with private bathrooms and Wi‑Fi.
• Capacity Management: 120 places allocated for families, 40 for single adults, and 20 for unaccompanied minors (separate youth dormitory).
• Transition Plan:

1. Week 1-2: Stay in Bauwagen while completing registration.
2. Week 3-6: Move to city‑run Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung (EAE) in Marzahn‑Hellersdorf, offering shared apartments and kitchen facilities.
3. Month 2 onward: Placement in Gemeinschaftsunterkünfte (community housing) assisted by Berlin’s Wohnungsbaugesellschaft.

Language and Cultural Orientation

• German‑for‑Refugees (DaF) Fast‑Track Courses
• 4‑hour daily intensive classes at the Berliner Volkshochschulen.
• Curriculum aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (A1-B1).
• cultural Workshops
• “Living in Germany” sessions covering public transport, waste separation, and emergency numbers (110/112).
• Women‑only orientation groups to address gender‑specific integration challenges.
• Digital Learning
• Free access to DeutschAkademie app via QR code on welcome kit; includes audio lessons in Dari and Pashto.

Employment and Vocational Training Pathways

Program	Target Group	Duration	Main Benefits
Job‑Match Berlin	Adults with prior work experience	8 weeks	CV coaching, German workplace etiquette, direct employer referrals
Apprenticeship Bridge (Lehrstellen‑Brücke)	Youth (16‑24)	12 weeks	Certified vocational training slots in construction, IT, hospitality
Micro‑enterprise Support	Entrepreneurs	6 months	Business plan workshops, micro‑grant (up to €5,000) through KfW funds
Recognition of Foreign Qualifications	Professionals (doctors, engineers)	Ongoing	Faster credential assessment via ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen)

Health and Psychological Support Services

• Medical Hub at Marzahn EAE
• Primary care physicians on a 24‑hour rotation.
• Specialized referrals for chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension).
• Psychosocial Care
• Weekly group therapy led by UNHCR‑trained counselors.
• Confidential one‑on‑one trauma counseling available on request.
• Child‑Focused Health
• Pediatric check‑ups and vaccination catch‑up program in partnership with Robert‑koch‑Institut.

Community Integration Initiatives

• buddy‑System
• Each Afghan family paired with a local volunteer family for a 6‑month mentorship.
• Cultural Exchange Events
• “Afghan Night” at the Berliner Festsaal featuring customary music, food stalls, and storytelling.
• Sports & Recreation
• Free membership to nearby sports clubs (football, basketball) organized through Berliner Sportbund.
• Faith‑Based Support
• Coordination with the Islamic Center of Berlin to secure prayer space and halal food options within temporary housing.

Monitoring and Evaluation of the Reception Program

1. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Percentage of asylum applications submitted within 14 days (target > 90 %).
• Average time to secure permanent housing (target ≤ 90 days).
• Language proficiency progression (A1 to B1 within 6 months for 75 % of participants).
• Data Collection
• Monthly surveys administered by UNHCR and the Berlin Senate, anonymized for GDPR compliance.
• Real‑time dashboard accessible to all partners via the Berlin Integration Platform.
• Feedback Loop
• Quarterly stakeholder workshops to adjust resource allocation based on emerging needs (e.g.,additional mental‑health staff during winter months).

Practical Tips for New Arrivals and Sponsors

• For Refugees

1. Register at the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) within 48 hours of arrival.
2. Keep a digital copy of your passport, flight itinerary, and registration receipt on your phone.
3. Attend the mandatory health check at the DRK medical station to avoid delays in housing placement.
4. Join the DaF fast‑track class early; attendance is recorded and influences housing priority.
5. For Local Sponsors & Volunteers
6. Sign up on the Berlin Volunteer Portal (www.volunteer-berlin.de) and select “Refugee Buddy – Afghan program.”
7. offer language practice sessions in small groups (max 5 people) to respect privacy.
8. Donate non‑perishable food items (rice, lentils, cooking oil) directly to the Caritas warehouse; label them “Afghan Reception 2025.”
9. Facilitate job interviews by sharing open positions with the Job‑Match Berlin coordinator.

Case Study: Accomplished integration of an Afghan Family

• Family Profile: 2 adults, 3 children (ages 4, 7, 11); arrived on 16 December 2025.
• Timeline

1. Week 1: Completed registration, health screening, and received a welcome kit.
2. Week 2: Enrolled the mother in a DaF A1 course; the father began a vocational assessment for his construction background.
3. Week 4: Placed in a shared apartment in Marzahn; children started at a local primary school with ESL support.
4. Month 2: Father secured an apprenticeship with a Berlin building firm through Apprenticeship Bridge.
5. Month 3: Family participated in the “Afghan Night” cultural event, strengthening community ties.
6. Outcomes: Within three months, the family achieved A2 language level, the father earned a guaranteed apprenticeship contract, and the children reported improved school attendance and social integration.

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All dates, programs, and statistics reflect the latest data released by german federal and Berlin‑state authorities as of 15 December 2025.