The German Mission in Nigeria has warned Nigerians seeking visas to Germany against sending their visa documents to diplomatic missions by email in an attempt to secure appointments or submit applications. The mission issued the warning on Wednesday, September 30, amid what it described as confusion surrounding the procedures for applying for German visas.
Applicants were advised to first identify the appropriate visa category and determine which German mission is responsible for processing their application. The German Mission in Nigeria has consular jurisdictions covering different parts of the country, with the Consulate General in Lagos responsible for residents of several southern states, including Rivers State.
The mission also advised applicants to use the official online appointment or registration system, or the Consular Services Portal where it applies to their particular visa category.
Germany’s Federal Foreign Office says applicants for certain national visas, including those for employment, studies, vocational training and family reunification, can submit applications and documents through the Consular Services Portal. Applicants must still attend an in-person appointment where required to provide biometric information, pay the visa fee and present original documents.
For Schengen visa applications, the online application form can be completed in advance, but applicants must follow the procedures of the German mission or authorised visa application centre responsible for their application.
The German Mission in Nigeria further warned applicants against paying agents to secure visa appointments. It stressed that the official appointment-booking process is free and applicants do not need to pay an agent to obtain an appointment.
Applicants have therefore been urged to rely on information published through the official German diplomatic channels and to prepare their documents according to the requirements for their specific visa category.
The warning is intended to help applicants avoid unofficial procedures, unnecessary payments and possible problems arising from submitting visa documents through channels that are not part of the approved application process.
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