The visa process

1. Read the information on this website carefully
2. Check whether you require an airport transit visa
3. Ensure that you have all required documents
4. Check which is the responsible German Mission for your Visa application
5. Book an appointment
6. Appear in person for the visa interview
7. Pay the applicable visa fee
8. Your application will be processed
9. You will be informed about the decision

Do I need a transit visa?

Nigerian nationals generally require an airport transit visa to pass through a German airport.

You do not require an airport transit visa if you hold a valid visa issued by one of the following:

• a Schengen member state
• a member state of the EU
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Japan
• Canada
• Switzerland
• United States of America

UK residence permits

As of 28 June 2024, Nigerian citizens holding a valid UK biometric residence permit card (BRP) are exempt from the airport transit visa requirement when transiting through German airports on their way to the United Kingdom.

Please note:

Only the online biometric residence permit (eVisa) is accepted.

Visa stickers, stamps or other documents are not sufficient.

If none of the above exemptions apply, Nigerian citizens require an airport transit visa to transit through a German airport.

Required documents

Click here to find the list of documents needed

Responsible diplomatic mission

The Embassy in Abuja issues transit visas to persons habitually resident in the following states of Nigeria: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Koggi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara.

The Consulate General Lagos issues transit visas to persons ordinarily resident in the following states of Nigeria: Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.

Book an appointment

Applicants who fall under the responsibility of the Embassy in Abuja must book an individual appointment in advance.

Please note that appointment demand is very high. Applicants are therefore advised to book an appointment well in advance.

Applicants who fall under the responsibility of the Consulate General in Lagos may apply without an appointment.
Applications are accepted Monday to Friday between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m.

Please note that in case of high demand, applicants may be asked to return on another day.

Visa interview

All applicants must appear in person for the visa interview.

During the interview, applicants must submit all required documents in original, together with one set of photocopies. Fingerprints will be taken and a few questions regarding the application will be asked.

Applications with incomplete documentation cannot be processed. Documents sent in advance cannot be considered.

Visa fee

The fee for processing a visa application is 90 Euros.
The fee is payable in Nigerian naira at the current exchange rate of the German mission, either in cash or via POS. The fee is non-refundable, even in the event of a visa refusal.

Processing of the application

The German mission abroad will check and decide on your application. As a rule, the processing time is up to 14 calendar days. Please understand that questions about the processing status cannot be answered.

Decision on the application and further procedure

As soon as the mission abroad has decided on your application, you will receive your passport and the original documents back.

If your visa application has been rejected, this may be for various reasons. We will inform you of these reasons in a rejection letter.

Have a good journey! Advice for visa holders

If all the information on your visa label is correct, nothing stands in the way of your journey. Please check this as soon as you have your passport back in your hands. Please inform us immediately of any errors so that we can issue you with a new visa if necessary.
The issuance of a transit visa does not constitute an entitlement to entry. The final decision is made by the border police at the time of entry control into the Schengen area. It is possible that, in addition to your passport with the valid visa, the border police will also ask you to present documents upon entry that provide information on your financial means, the duration and purpose of your stay and health insurance cover. You should therefore take a set of your visa documents with you on your trip.

You were not satisfied?

Schengen visa and transit visa applicants can submit complaints about the behaviour of consular staff or the visa application process via the contact form. To do so, please select the addressee “Complaint about the Schengen visa process” in the contact form. We will investigate your complaint as soon as we receive it.

Important note: No appeals against decisions to refuse, cancel or revoke a visa can be lodged via the complaint contact form.