Follow official visa application process, Germany warns Nigerians

Nigerians seeking visas to Germany have been advised to follow the official application process and avoid sending their documents to German diplomatic missions by email as a way of securing appointments or submitting applications.

The German Mission in Nigeria, on its X handle on Wednesday, issued the clarification amid reported confusion over how applicants should begin the visa process.

“Applicants are advised to first identify the appropriate visa category based on the purpose and duration of their intended stay.

“A Schengen visa is generally required for short stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, including tourism and family visits, while a national visa is required for stays exceeding 90 days for purposes such as employment, study, vocational training and certain family-reunification cases.

Applicants are also required to establish which German mission is responsible for their application before proceeding.

The missions advise applicants to use the official online appointment system for the relevant visa category and follow the instructions provided.

For certain long-stay visa categories, applicants can begin the process through Germany’s Consular Services Portal. However, an online application does not eliminate the requirement for an in-person appointment where biometrics, original documents and other checks are required.

Applicants are expected to prepare all required documents and submit them through the prescribed process.

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The German Missions also warned applicants against paying agents or third parties simply to obtain visa appointments.

“ You do not need to pay an agent just to book a visa appointment. The official appointment booking is free,” the missions said.

They further advised applicants to ensure that appointments are booked under the correct visa category to avoid delays or the need to make a fresh appointment.

During the appointment, applicants may be required to submit their documents, provide biometric information and answer questions relating to their applications.

The mission stressed that applicants should rely on official German government information when preparing their applications and should be cautious of individuals or organisations offering visa appointments for payment.

For eligible national visa categories, applicants can use the official Consular Services Portal to submit an initial application and receive further instructions on the next steps.

It said that following the official procedure would help applicants avoid unnecessary payments, incorrect applications, and delays in processing their visa requests.