Nigerians planning trips to Germany have been warned against emailing their application documents directly to diplomatic missions, with officials reiterating that appointments cannot be booked or applications processed through direct email correspondence.
The German Mission in Nigeria issued the directive on Wednesday via its official X handle to clear up widespread confusion among applicants regarding the correct procedure for initiating the visa process.
Outlining the initial steps required of prospective travellers, the mission stated: “Applicants are advised to first identify the appropriate visa category based on the purpose and duration of their intended stay.”
It went on to explain the distinct requirements for different lengths of stay: “A Schengen visa is generally required for short stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, including tourism and family visits, while a national visa is required for stays exceeding 90 days for purposes such as employment, study, vocational training and certain family-reunification cases.”
Before proceeding, applicants must verify which specific German mission holds jurisdiction over their application. They are then required to schedule an appointment through the official online booking system for that category and strictly follow the provided instructions, ensuring the correct category is selected to avoid processing delays or cancellation.
Urging applicants to consult official German government channels and beware of third parties charging fees for booking slots, the diplomatic mission said: “ You do not need to pay an agent just to book a visa appointment. The official appointment booking is free.”
For eligible long-term national visas, applicants may launch their application digitally via Germany’s official Consular Services Portal. However, mission officials stressed that completing an initial digital submission does not remove the necessity of attending an in-person interview to submit biometrics, present original documentation, and answer application queries.
The German Mission noted that adhering strictly to established official channels protects applicants from financial scams by third-party agents, prevents errors in submission, and avoids delays in processing.