cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11226313
[Original in German. This is an automated and paraphrased translation with minimal edits.]
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Germany is apparently now stricter in the examination of visa applications than a few years ago – and in the end rejects numerous applications. The Federal Government does not disclose the number of rejected visa application, but a research by the three German media companies WDR, NDR and Süddeutscher Zeitung shows for the first time a magnitude.
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In 2025, sources say that there have been about 200 rejected applications by Chinese researchers and scientists out of 2100 successful applications.
In addition, the rejected applications of Chinese students: source say there have been about 200 rejected applications out of a total of about 9000 applications.
In total, about 400 visas were denied last year. Compared to previous years, the number of rejections is said to have increased - but overall, the vast majority of applications are still approved.
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Compared to other countries of origin, the denials stand out for China: only Iran can still see a slightly increased number of rejected visas. Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, which is responsible for issuing visas, says that these are individual decisions. Numbers of rejections would be “in principle not published”.
In 2020, the US made headlines when it revoked more than 1,000 visas from Chinese for espionage threats. Two years later, in 2022, the UK followed suit: there, too, it acted strictly, more than 1,100 Chinese scientists and early-stage researchers were banned from staying.
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The particular danger with Chinese citizens stems from China’s national legislation that obliges virtually every citizen to cooperate with the country’s intelligence services. The main reason for rejected visa applications from China, according to the research, are therefore also security concerns.
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The German intelligence speaks of a “strategic and holistic approach” by the Chinese government. The goal: “global technology leadership” in 2049. The acquisition of technology and know-how takes place “not only through intelligence networks, but also through scientific cooperation with German universities and (top) research institutions”.
According to Germany security service, China’s focus is on quantum computing, aerospace, artificial intelligence or materials research. Particularly sensitive: research results would also be made available to the Chinese military and arms sector.
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A new ‘research security platform’ should help to better deal with possible scientific espionage - similar facilities already exist in the Netherlands or the UK … This autumn, Germany will start with “a first meeting of the steering committee” of the planned service center, the federal government says.
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