Non-Ukrainian Refugees Face Loss of Residency Protections in Germany

Thousands of third-country nationals who fled Ukraine are at risk of deportation as their temporary protection status expires this week.

Over 1,800 non-Ukrainian nationals who fled Ukraine's war may lose their residency rights in Germany as of Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Individuals affected include students, professionals, and families from countries such as Nigeria, Vietnam, and Syria, many of whom had built lives in Ukraine before the war.
Unlike Ukrainian citizens, whose temporary protection has been extended until March 2026, third-country nationals must now seek alternative visas or face potential deportation.
Barriers to securing work or study visas include language requirements, bureaucratic delays, and difficulties in getting foreign qualifications recognized in Germany.
Advocates call for a more flexible immigration policy, citing Germany's labor shortages and the high qualifications of many affected individuals.