Below is an update (23.04) focussing on non-Germans with permanent residency in Germany:
“Now that our repatriation program is nearing its last phase, quite a number of Indian citizens with permanent residency, work permit, Blue Card or student visa for Germany have approached us to see if we could help them return to Germany.
I have a lot of sympathy for these concerns, and understand very well the difficult situation this is causing for many of you. But it is also important to be realistic and transparent in what ‘Team India’ (Embassy and our 4 General Consulates) can do for you in this situation.
1. The target group for the one-time repatriation program was those most vulnerable in such a situation: tourists and short-time travelers (as well as people with serious illnesses), those dependent on (closing) hotels and restaurants, without a support network of family and friends in India. Hence all other Germans (or people with residence permit in Germany) residing in India or with family ties in India were not part of this target group. This also includes many Germans for whom this international travel ban has caused quite some economic, educational or personal losses. Negative repercussions of this global crisis are unprecedented and are hitting us all.
2. There is a countrywide lockdown in India (and many other countries) and the fight against the coronavirus necessitates that all of us to respect curfews and travel restrictions. In many cases, there will be no other option than preparing to stay safe and remain where you are until regular travel becomes possible again.
3. There still are occasional specially chartered repatriation flights by some European airlines, which can be booked online. But please be aware that due to their non-commercial nature, relief-flight restrictions by the airline or by Indian aviation authorities might apply on who can board such flights!
4. In case you get on such a flight please be aware that once you fly to Germany you will have to undergo home quarantine for two weeks.
5. As for visa, work or student issues, it might be a good idea to contact your employer, university, landlord, etc., in order to see how to prepare for the days when commercial flights reopen again. You can be sure that there will be many cases like yours where people are stuck and can’t return to their destinations. We’re all in this together. This pandemic, in many aspects, has entered uncharted territory, so it requires flexibility and patience, but most of all, understanding that our main priority must be to fight the virus as efficiently as possible.
I wish you and your family all the best. Please stay well and safe, and I hope to meet many of you in less tense times – either in Germany or in India!”
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