Germany expands visa processing in Africa, Middle East with new Centres

In a move aimed at improving access and efficiency in visa application services, Germany has expanded its global visa processing network by opening four new Germany Visa Application Centres (VACs) in key locations across Africa and the Middle East.

The new centres, operated by VFS Global, have been established in Abuja and Lagos (Nigeria), Yaoundé (Cameroon), and Nicosia (Cyprus).

This development follows the renewal of a seven-year partnership between the German Federal Foreign Office and VFS Global, a leading visa outsourcing and technology services provider.

The renewed agreement grants VFS Global expanded responsibility for managing initial stages of the visa process, including application intake, biometric enrolment, and appointment scheduling.

Prior to this launch, applicants in Nigeria were limited to processing their Schengen visa applications directly through the German Consulate General in Lagos and the German Embassy in Abuja.

This often led to long waiting periods and limited access to appointment slots, especially for applicants residing outside the major cities.

“The addition of these new centres demonstrates Germany’s commitment to making visa processing more accessible and efficient,” said Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer of VFS Global. “It also reflects the confidence placed in us by the German government to continue delivering high-quality service.”

The latest additions bring the total number of Germany Visa Application Centres managed by VFS Global to 72 worldwide.

Other active locations include cities across the Middle East and North Africa such as Algiers, Manama, Erbil, Amman, Doha, Kuwait City, Beirut, Muscat, and the UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai).

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Germany continues to be a leading destination for travellers from Africa and the Middle East, especially for those seeking opportunities in education, healthcare, tourism, and business. The expansion is expected to ease the visa application burden, particularly in Nigeria, where demand has soared over recent years.

VFS Global has cautioned the public against using fraudulent agents and unofficial websites that claim to secure visa appointments for a fee. Travellers are advised to use only the official VFS Global website to book appointments and access services.

Despite the growing interest in Schengen travel, Nigeria has continued to face a high rate of visa rejections.

According to 2024 data from the European Commission, Nigeria recorded a Schengen visa rejection rate of 45.9%, the third-highest globally—behind only Bangladesh and Senegal.

This marks a sharp increase from the 40.8% recorded in 2023, suggesting that nearly half of all Nigerian applicants were denied visas.

The report noted that Schengen consulates worldwide received more than 11.7 million visa applications in 2024, a 13.6% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting rising global mobility despite regional disparities in approval rates.

With the opening of these new centres, applicants in Nigeria and surrounding regions can now expect a more streamlined and accessible visa process.

The development is seen as part of broader efforts by the German government to facilitate legal and orderly migration, while addressing bottlenecks in visa service delivery.