Regular and irregular migration to Germany
International Organization for Migration defines regular migration as migration that occurs in compliance with the laws of the country of origin, transit, and destination. IOM also defines irregular migration as the movement of persons that takes place outside the laws, regulations, or international agreements governing the entry into or exit from the State of origin, transit, or destination. [3]
There are pathways for migration for both regular and irregular movements.
Regular pathways
Federal Foreign Office of Germany suggests various methods for safe and legal migration depending on a migrants reason for movement. [4] [5] [6] [7] Regular means involve getting a visa. [8]
Short stay visas
The German embassy prescribes the acquisition of a Schengen visa for short stays (up to 90 days within a period of 180 days) in Germany (and European countries within the Schengen area) for tourism, visit or business purposes. Applicants are required to fill a visa form [9] and book an appointment. [10] The embassy in Accra offers a checklist of documents needed for the visa interview. [11]
Long term visas
The embassy also prescribes the long stay visas for students, [12] family reunions, [13] employment visas among others, and gives their requirements. [14]
General visa requirements and cost
Applicants must have a passport with validity of exceeding the duration of intended stay in Germany by at least 3 months. This passport must contain at least 2 blank pages and must have been issued within the past 10 years. The applicant also needs their original birth certificate and 1 recent passport picture with white background. A EuroTravel health insurance, covering entire duration of stay and valid for all Schengen States is required. Lastly, proof of sufficient financial means for intended stay will also be inspected. The applicant will sign the declaration according to Sec. 54 Par. 2 No. 8 of the German Residence Act. The visa processing costs 60.00 Euros. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]
Additional requirements depending on the purpose of the trip
For visitor visas, proof of family relation is needed. The host must sign an invitation letter and give a copy of his or her passport and residence permit to the applicant. [16] For medical treatment, applicants must prove they have sufficient financial means for treatment and costs of living plus a letter from a local doctor stating the diagnosis. Applicants also need a statement from the German hospital or doctor agreeing to treat the patient. [16] [19] [21]
For business, applicants must have an invitation letter from the company in Germany and a letter from the company in the country of residence stating the purpose of the trip. The German company must be in the national commercial register. [16] [22] [23]
For training/internship or language courses, applicants must have a letter from the German institution confirming their registration and documents that prove payment of the course and information on duration. [24]
For visas for culture, sports, film crew, or religious purposes, applicants must hold a letter from the authorities with details on the activities and team involved. [16]
Irregular migration
Immigration from Africa to Europe through illegal means is significant. Most migrants who go on such journeys are from underdeveloped African countries looking for greener pastures in Europe. Migrants usually go to North Africa, especially Libya, which has become the primary departure point for making illegal entry into Europe. From Libya, they go by boat via the Mediterranean Sea. Some migrants also go by land through the Spanish Enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, risking severe injury and even death. Human traffickers and human smugglers have taken advantage of the situation to cash in, often lying to migrants about opportunities in Europe. [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31]
By June 2019 IOM statistics indicated that deaths recorded on the three main Mediterranean Sea routes to Italy, Malta and Cyprus by June 2019 are at 555 people. [32] By December 2019, the number rose to 738 with drowning, physical abuse, sexual abuse, starvation, sickness and lack of access to healthcare and dehydration are top causes of death. [33]
Ghanaians are reported to rank highly among migrants hoping to get to Europe though the country is more peaceful and politically stable than other countries where migrants originate. About 5,636 Ghanaians reached Italy by boat in 2016. [26] In 2017, the Brong-Ahafo region, now divided into three regions of Ahafo, Brong, and Bono East, had the highest number of migrants. Out of 4,092 Ghanaian returnees from Libya, the highest number of 1,562, representing 38.17 percent, were from Brong Ahafo. Ashanti Region had 601, indicating 13.63 percent. [34]
