The number of foreign nationals entering the territory of Germany on Schengen visas and then applying for asylum saw a sharp increase last year, with three Middle Eastern countries nationals filing most applications.
Based on data provided by an investigation carried out by Welt Am Sonntag, 8,493 Syrians, 4,740 Iranians, and 3,870 Turks applied for asylum in Germany after entering the country on Schengen visas, VisaGuide.World reports.
In addition to these three nationalities, Afghans also filed a large number of asylum applications after entering Germany for other purposes on Schengen visas. Afghans who entered Germany on Schengen visas filed 3,511 asylum applications in 2023.
In total, 37,329 asylum applicants in 2023 entered Germany on Schengen visas, representing 11 percent of the total.
The investigation further revealed that a high number of asylum applications by those who entered the territory of Germany on Schengen visas was also registered in the first three months of 2024. During this period, one in eight persons who applied for asylum entered the country on a Schengen visa.
German Authorities Criticized for Issuing Visas to Nationalities With High Asylum Application Rate
The high number of foreigners applying for asylum after entering Germany for travel and other visiting purposes on Schengen visas has raised concerns.
As soon as the investigation data was shared, the German authorities were criticized for not tightening the rules for countries whose nationals tend to remain in Germany irregularly after entering for short-term stays.
Moreover, the German authorities have also been urged to take other measures to put an end to irregular migration.
High Number of Foreign Nationals Who Enjoy Visa-Free Entry Also Applied for Asylum in 2023
In addition to the above-mentioned group, the data provided by the investigation has shown that a high number of nationals of countries under the visa-free regime also applied for asylum last year.
As revealed, a total of 351,915 foreign nationals who do not need a Schengen visa to enter Germany for short stays applied for asylum in 2023. Such a number represents ten percent of all asylum seekers.
The main countries of origin whose nationals applied for asylum in Germany in 2023 after entering the country under the visa-free regime are Georgia, North Macedonia, Venezuela, Serbia, and Colombia, with 9,399, 5,999, 3,756, 3,526, and 3,337 applications for asylum, respectively.