Overview

• 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.