Visitors from countries without a visa waiver agreement with Germany must get an entry permit before travelling to the government. The country, therefore, introduced a new online portal in January to facilitate international entry visa applications.
In the past, applicants had to complete lengthy paper forms and send them to the nearest German embassy or consulate, which could be far away—sometimes hundreds of kilometres.
The German Federal Foreign Affairs Office (BAA) said the portal has been developed for over two years.
After testing it in three locations, the system is now available at 167 embassies and consulates worldwide.
The government hopes to speed up applications and attract more skilled workers to Germany by digitising the visa process.
Welcoming the portal, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock highlighted the urgent need for skilled workers.
“In these times, we cannot afford to discourage the best people from working in our country with long paper applications and even longer waiting times.
“We need a state-of-the-art national visa procedure—modern, digital, and secure,” she said.
However, starting in January, visa applicants must follow a three-step process to obtain the permit required to enter Germany.
1. Online Application: Applicants must complete an online form for the specific visa they need through the Consular Services Portal. They will also upload supporting documents, such as scanned passports or proof of qualifications.
2. Preliminary Review: The German mission conducts an initial check of the application. If additional information is needed, officials will request it through the portal.
3. In-Person Appointment: Applicants are invited to their nearest German mission for an appointment to verify their identity, review original documents, and collect biometric data like photos and fingerprints.
Throughout the process, applicants can track the status of their application via the portal. They can also use the Visa Navigator tool to determine which type of visa they need to apply for.
