Few at-risk Afghans accept German pay-outs to drop visa applications

"Up until now, 10% of those contacted, amounting to 62 people, have declared they are ready to accept the offer," a ministry spokeswoman said. Others are still making up their minds, she added.

The cases concern people included in Germany's federal resettlement programme for Afghans deemed particularly vulnerable after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

An estimated 1,900 Afghans are waiting in Pakistan for their chance to enter Germany, many of whom have been stranded in the country for years.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government suspended a resettlement programme for particularly vulnerable Afghans shortly after taking office in May.

It recently offered some Afghans financial compensation if they withdraw - an offer that has been criticized by recipients.

Despite Merz's crackdown, some Afghans have successfully sued in German courts to have their visas approved, with five groups of Afghans arriving in the country since May under various admission programmes.