The visa process

1. Read this website carefully
2. Check which visa category you wish to apply for
3. Check which is the responsible German Mission for your visa application
4. Ensure you have all the required documents
5. Book an appointment via our online booking system or apply via the Auslandsportal
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 the decision

General Information

The visa only entitles you to enter Germany. After you arrive in Germany, you must contact the competent Aliens Authority (Ausländerbehörde) immediately. If all requirements are met, you will be issued a residence permit corresponding to your purpose of stay.

Visa category

Use the VISA-NAVIGATOR, to find out which visa category is suitable for you.

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. Please check here for more details.

Required documents

Click here to more information on the different visa categories and the list 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 encourage bookings made through agencies or any other third party charging a fee.

You need to book an individual appointment for every applicant.

In some cases you can apply online via the Auslandsportal.

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 must appear to their appointment in person. On the day of the appointment, you must submit 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 a 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 75 euros.

However, there are a few exceptions.
The visa fee is payable at the current exchange rate of the German missionin 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 of visa applications may vary depending on the individual case.

The Consulate General must involve the competent authority in Germany in the visa procedure. Depending on previous stays, a response from the competent authority may take some time. Therefore, apply for the visa in good time.

Please note that inquiries regarding the processing status cannot be answered within the first 12 weeks for family reunion visas and within the first 4 weeks for all other visa categories.

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

Decision on the application and further procedure

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

If a positive decision has been made on your visa, you will be asked to provide an incoming health insurance.

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.
Your visa will show your full name, passport number and photo. The period of validity of the visa is indicated. Please inform us immediately of any errors so that we can issue you with a new visa if necessary.

Please check this as soon as you have your passport back in your hands.

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 procedure is subject to a fee!

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.

Your original documents will be sent back to you after the decision has been made. Falsified documents may be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

Advice for visa holders

You need to contact the competent aliens authority in Germany immedialtely after you arrive in Germany.
The issuance of a 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, as well as proof of health insurance. You should therefore take a set of your visa documents with you on your trip.