A new digital portal to apply for a German visa.

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SimCityAT Expert

Member since 08 April 2014

SimCityATExpert03 January 2025 12:12:46

11428

As of January 1, 2025, Germany has made available a new digital portal to apply for a German visa.

Applicants can choose between 28 categories of national visas online.

Hailed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock as “a real administrative revolution,” it aims to ease access to necessary documents for people looking to work, study, or join their family in Germany.

“Every year, Germany is short of at least 400,000 skilled workers,” Baerbock added.

She said the “long overdue” reform is to avoid putting off talented applicants due to long paper forms and long waiting periods.

The country needs “a national visa process that is state-of-the-art – modern, digital, and secure,” she stressed.

In 2024, the German government gave out an estimated 200,000 work visas – an over 10% jump from 2023 - while the number of student visas from non-EU states rose by more than 20%.

TominStuttgart Germany Expert

Member since 19 March 2012

TominStuttgartGermany Expert03 January 2025 16:04:06

2733

I just took a quick look at the government site about getting visas, link provided below. Helpful, the infomation is available in 12 languages. But while it gives a link (also provided) to apply for a short term tourist (Schengen) visa, all other visa types seem to be missing. One can find applications forms for other types of visas online, to be given in at a consular office - but it appears the process is not "all online" as of yet anyway. Or maybe someone knows another offical site where it is available...

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa … 870-215870

https://videx.diplo.de/videx/visum-erfa … aufenthalt

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