Germany has outlined steps for applying for selected long-stay visas through its Consular Services Portal, offering applicants an online option to complete applications and submit supporting documents before booking an appointment.
In a post on the German Embassy’s X handle on Wednesday, Germany said the portal, available at digitaldiplo.de/visa, lets eligible applicants select their destination country, the relevant German mission, and the appropriate visa category before completing the application.
The online service is designed for certain national visa categories for people intending to stay in Germany for more than 90 days.
These include student visas, EU Blue Cards, vocational training visas and family reunification visas.
Applicants seeking to use the portal are required to visit the official Consular Services Portal, select the relevant country, mission and visa category, and complete the online application form.
They must also upload the required supporting documents and submit their applications for review.
After submission, applicants are advised to monitor feedback from the consular authorities, as they may be asked to correct information or provide additional documents before their applications can proceed to the next stage.
Once an application is ready for further processing, applicants should follow the instructions provided to schedule an appointment with the relevant German mission.
However, the Consular Services Portal does not cover every German visa category, and applicants must confirm that their intended visa type is eligible for online processing.
Short-stay Schengen visas
Applicants planning to visit Germany for 90 days or less, including for holidays, family visits or short business trips, must follow the applicable Schengen visa application procedure instead.
The long-stay portal is intended for selected national visa applications and should not be confused with the separate process for short-term visits.
Prospective travellers are therefore advised to check the requirements and procedures published by the relevant German embassy or consulate before beginning their applications.
Applicants should also ensure that they select the correct visa category and provide all required documents to minimise delays during processing.
The online application process is intended to help eligible applicants complete the initial stages of their visa applications digitally, while appointments and any subsequent procedures remain subject to the instructions of the responsible German mission.