Please note that UNHCR Germany is not involved in evacuations and admission procedures for people from Syria. General information on visas and residence in Germany can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office; see https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/visa-und-aufenthalt.
You can also find information on family reunification, resettlement and current humanitarian admission programs of the federal and state governments in Germany on our Help Portal and the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), https://www.bmi.bund.de/DE/themen/migration/asyl-fluechtlingsschutz/humanitaere-aufnahmeprogramme/humanitaere-aufnahmeprogramme-node.html.
For questions about the situation in Syria and other host countries of Syrian nationals seeking protection, please note the information on the Help Page in the respective country.
If you need individual counselling in Germany, please approach one of the independent advice centers of the German welfare organizations (Advice centers: adressen.asyl.net).
Is UNHCR supporting go-and-see to Syria?
UNHCR does not organize visits to Syria but considers it important that refugees are able to assess the conditions for return themselves – for example, through “go-and-see” visits. UNHCR continues to advocate for this possibility with the relevant authorities
UNHCR cannot guarantee the practices at border crossing points.
Can my protection status in Germany be terminated due to a visit to Syria?
Currently, UNHCR cannot guarantee that individuals who leave their country of asylum for a short visit to Syria will retain their protection status and will be allowed to re-enter Germany.
Can returnees to Syria receive financial assistance?
UNHCR does not provide financial assistance for return to Syria in Germany. Information on state return assistance can be found on the information portal https://www.returningfromgermany.de/de/
If you have any questions on return assistance, you can also contact a return counselling centre. You can find contact addresses at Counselling CentresCounselling Centres.
Will the current situation in Syria impact my protection status in Germany?
The changed situation in Syria may have an impact on your protection status in Germany. For example, your protection status in Germany can be revoked under certain conditions, if the conditions for granting the status no longer exist. The changed situation in Syria may be one reason for this, e.g., if the persecution situation has permanently changed in the view of the authorities. However, the revocation of your protection status does not necessarily lead to the loss of your residence permit in Germany.
You may also be able to apply for a residence permit regardless of your protection status in Germany, e.g. because you have completed vocational training or are already working in a qualified profession.
For further information and advice on your protection and residence status in Germany, you should contact an independent advice center of the welfare associations. You can find contacts at https://adressen.asyl.net/language/en/welcome-to-informationnetwork-asylum-and-migration/.
Will Germany suspend my family reunification application/right to seek family reunification?
Whether your family can join you in Germany depends on the type of legal status you are granted and the nature of your family relationship.
The new government currently plans to suspend family reunification to persons with subsidiary protection status in Germany. You can seek assistance and individual counselling regarding the family reunification process from specialized advice centres, https://help.unhcr.org/germany/family-reunification/.
Can Syrian nationals still apply for international protection in Germany?
Syrian nationals can still apply for asylum in Germany. Generally, asylum seekers in Germany are entitled to a fair asylum procedure in which the individual criteria for protection are examined.
However, the processing of asylum applications from Syrian nationals is currently limited and decisions on asylum applications are partially suspended.
For advice on the asylum procedure/your asylum process in Germany, we recommend that you contact an independent counselling center of the German welfare organisations. You can find contact addresses at https://adressen.asyl.net/language/en/welcome-to-informationnetwork-asylum-and-migration/.
I wish to return to Syria but lack important documents, what should I do?
Syrian diplomatic missions abroad are authorized to issue temporary travel documents for Syrian nationals without identity documents seeking to return to Syria. In Germany, you can contact the Syrian embassy in Berlin.
I have family members or friends missing in Syria, can I get help to find them or help for them?
If you need support in Germany in the search for missing relatives, you may contact the German Red Cross (GRC) Tracing Service. The GRC Tracing Service works closely with the Tracing Service network of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to help in the search for missing relatives worldwide. Further information and contact details can be found at https://www.drk-suchdienst.de/en/contact.