The visa process

1. Read this website carefully
2. Check which is the responsible German Mission for your visa application
3. Ensure you have all the required documents
4. Book an appointment via our online booking system
5. Appear in person for the visa interview
6. Pay the applicable visa fee
7. Your application will be processed
8. You will be informed about the decision

Responsible German Mission

As a rule, the Consulate General in Lagos is responsible for visa applications.

In certain cases, applications may also be submitted at the Embassy in Abuja. Click here for more details.

Required documents

Click here to find the lists of documents needed

Book an appointment

You can only apply for a visa, if you have booked an appointment in advance. Booking an appointment is free of charge.

The Consulate does not cooperate with agencies or third parties offering appointment bookings for a fee.

A separate appointment must be booked for each applicant.

Applications must be submitted at least 15 calendar days prior to the start of the planned trip. Applications may be submitted 6 months prior to travel.

For more information about booking an appointment, click here.

Please note that special appointment requests cannot be accommodated.

Visa interview

To process your visa, every applicant has to appear for their appointment in person. At this day you are asked to hand in all required documents and your fingerprints will be taken. There will also be a few questions you need to answer regarding your application.

Applicants must submit all required documents in original along with one set of photocopies during the interview. Documents sent in advance cannot be considered.
It is not possible to process incomplete applications. No positive decision can be made if incomplete applications are submitted.

For organizational reasons, there may be waiting time at the personal interview. Applicants who arrive late for their appointment cannot be accommodated and must book a new appointment.

Visa fee

The fee for processing a visa application is 90 euros.
However, there are a few exceptions.

The visa fee is payable at the current exchange rate of the consulate/embassy in Nigerian Naira in cash or via POS. The processing fee is not refundable in case of visa rejection.

Processing of the application

The processing time for Schengen visa applications is generally up to 15 calendar days. In individual cases, the processing time may be extended.

In addition to the standard requirements, further documents may be required depending on the specifics of your application.

The consulate will not return forms, photos or documents if the application is rejected or withdrawn. Falsified documents may be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

Decision on the application and further procedure

Once a decision has been made on your visa, the responsible Mission will contact you with further information.

If the visa is granted, it is your duty to verify whether the information printed on the visa sticker is correct and complete and to report any errors to the consulate immediately. The consulate is not liable for financial damage caused by corrections not reported in good time.

In case of visa refusal, a notification will be sent to the applicant stating not only that the visa application has been unsuccessful, but also gives the grounds on which it was rejected and information on the applicant's right to appeal the decision.
The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin. This process incurs cost!

The applicant can also reapply with complete documents and a new appointment.

For reasons of data protection, information about individual visa applications may only be provided to the applicant personally or to a person whom the applicant has authorized in writing to receive such information.

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.
Your visa will show your full name, passport number and photo. The period of validity of the visa is indicated. This is the period of time during which your trip can take place. You will also see the number of days you can stay. This is the maximum number of days you are allowed to stay in the Schengen area during the period of validity.

The issuance of a Schengen visa does not constitute a right of entry. The final decision is made by the border police upon entry 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 about your financial means, the duration and purpose of your stay and health insurance cover. You should therefore take a set of your visa documents (including invitation from Germany, hotel reservation, travel health insurance) with you on your trip.

You were not satisfied?

Schengen 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.