Employees of the German Federal Police check not only passports and visas
As Deutsche Welle notes, one should not plan trips that are not absolutely necessary. When undergoing border control in Germany, employees of the Federal Police check not only passports and visas, but also documents confirming the urgency of entry into German territory.
The decision depends on the specific case. But there are general regulations that border guards follow. According to these rules, who is currently allowed into Germany on student or work visas, and who should postpone their trip for now?
Exceptions for Students
A recent case involving a Russian, reminiscent of the film "The Terminal," showed what consequences the current restrictive measures can have. A student from Tomsk really wanted to go on an exchange semester in Berlin, but his stay was limited to the transit zone of Frankfurt Airport. There he spent five days until he was returned to Russia. Despite having a national visa and a certificate of enrollment, the border guards considered that "urgent, absolutely necessary reasons for entry were not stated."As Reza Ahmari, press secretary of the Federal Police department at Frankfurt am Main Airport, reported, isolated cases of refusal of entry into Germany due to current measures against the spread of coronavirus occur daily and affect passengers from all over the world. Among them are those entering on category D visas, which are issued for study, work, or permanent residence in one of the Schengen zone countries. In this case, the decision depends on individual circumstances.
If a person has been in Germany before or lives there permanently or predominantly, entry is generally possible. Or if it is a matter of family reunification. Document checks are also the responsibility of airlines. If a person entering is refused entry, according to German law, the air carrier must cover the costs of return transportation, and if it is delayed, also for accommodation, meals, and an interpreter.
Overall, entry on a category C visa, which allows stays of up to 90 days within a six-month period, is currently prohibited. But even with a national visa for long-term stay, not everyone is allowed in. The press service of the Federal Police Headquarters emphasized that entry with a temporary residence permit is possible only if the person has already established themselves in Germany, not if they are traveling to the country for the first time.
Entry for the purpose of continuing studies at a university or technical college is permissible if the student is returning to their place of residence in Germany. If a student is entering Germany for the first time, they must have a certificate from the educational institution stating that their presence on site is mandatory, as well as a document confirming housing.
Online classes do not grant the right to entry. As long as higher and secondary specialized educational institutions remain closed, there is no initial reason for entry, notes Sebastian Brandt, press secretary of the Federal Police Headquarters.
Entry for Work in Germany
Regarding work, the general rule applies: entry into Germany is possible if the main place of residence is in this country. Otherwise, German border guards follow the European Union's government bulletin.According to this document, restrictive measures should not affect professions relevant to the system, that is, professions in healthcare, elderly care, medical product manufacturing, food production and processing, information and engineering technologies, as well as transport. Exceptions are also made for seasonal workers.
Traveling to Germany on a short-term visa for a business trip will not be possible until the restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus are lifted.