Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Germany are making unauthorised trips back home despite having claimed their lives were at risk in Afghanistan as a reason for seeking asylum, an investigation by broadcaster RTL has revealed.

The report published on August 16 claimed many Afghans were exploiting loopholes, often with the assistance of travel agencies, to return to their home country without permission.

Using a so-called “double-entry” visa, Afghan refugees travel to Afghanistan via Iran. When they cross into Afghanistan, their entry is recorded only on paper, which they later destroy before heading back to Germany. As a result, only their time in Iran is officially documented upon their return to Europe.

RTL uncovered the practice after Afghans living in Germany shared pictures and movies of their travels to Afghanistan on social media, such as TikTok.