Germany introduces online visa application system for long-term national visas

The online application process covers 28 categories of long-term visas, such as those for work, study, or family reunification. However, short-term Schengen tourist visas remain outside the scope of this system. The transition to digital submissions aims to streamline the visa process and attract highly skilled professionals from around the world.

Minister Baerbock emphasized the significance of the change, highlighting its role in modernizing Germany’s immigration policies.

“We cannot afford for bureaucratic delays to prevent top talent from contributing to our economy,” Baerbock said. “Over the past 2.5 years, we have undertaken a major structural reform of the visa process. This marks the beginning of a truly digital immigration era and strengthens Germany as a business hub.”

The electronic portal was initially launched in a pilot phase two years ago and has now expanded to 167 visa centers worldwide.

While the system is available in many regions, applicants from certain countries, including Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, are currently excluded. For these countries, the message “online application unavailable” appears when selecting their respective consulates.

On the other hand, citizens of Uzbekistan, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and other countries in Central Asia, the Baltic States, and the U.S. have access to the online portal.

How the system works?

Applicants begin by selecting the type of long-term visa they require. They then specify their country of residence and the relevant consulate or embassy handling their case. Once completed, the application proceeds entirely online, eliminating the need for physical document submissions for initial stages.