Germany has outlined the steps for applying for selected long-stay visas through its online Consular Services Portal, allowing eligible applicants to submit application forms and supporting documents digitally before attending an in-person appointment.

The German Federal Foreign Office said the portal supports applications for national visas covering purposes such as employment, university studies, vocational training and family reunification. The system is designed to simplify the application process by allowing officials to review documents in advance and notify applicants of missing information.

How to apply online

According to the German government, applicants can follow these steps to begin the process:

1. Visit the official portal: Access the German Consular Services Portal and select the appropriate visa category.

2. Select your country of residence and responsible mission: Applicants must confirm that their country and the relevant German embassy or consulate are available for the selected visa category. Online availability may vary.

3. Create an account: Register for a user account and sign in to begin the application.

4. Complete the application form: Provide the required personal details and information relevant to the intended stay in Germany.

5. Upload supporting documents: Submit the documents required for the selected visa category. Students, for example, generally need evidence of admission to a recognised educational institution, while applicants for the EU Blue Card must meet the applicable employment and qualification requirements.

6. Submit the application for preliminary review: The responsible German mission or its service provider checks whether the application is complete. If information is missing or documents require correction, applicants may be notified and asked to make changes through the portal.

7. Attend an in-person appointment: Once the preliminary review is completed, eligible applicants receive instructions for booking an appointment. They must provide biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, present original documents where required, and pay the applicable visa fee.

8. Track the application: Applicants can check the status of their applications through their portal accounts and receive notifications about the next steps after a decision is made.

The portal covers selected German national visas intended for stays exceeding 90 days. These include visas for university studies, employment, vocational training and family reunification, among other eligible categories. Applicants interested in an EU Blue Card should select the relevant category and check the specific eligibility and document requirements.

The German government said 28 categories of long-stay visa applications were available online as of its June 2026 update. It also reported that more than 100,000 applicants had successfully used the platform during its first year.

However, the online system does not mean that every stage of the process can be completed remotely. Applicants are still required to attend an appointment for biometric enrolment and any necessary original-document check.

Nigerian applicants should first confirm that the relevant visa category is available for their country of residence through the portal. They should also follow the instructions issued by the German mission responsible for their application.

If the selected category is unavailable online, applicants may need to use the alternative procedure specified by the responsible German mission, which may involve submitting a paper application.

The portal does not change the jurisdiction of German diplomatic missions or guarantee that an application will be approved. Applicants must still satisfy the requirements for their intended visa category, and the competent German authorities retain responsibility for the final decision.

Applicants can begin by visiting the official Consular Services Portal and consulting the German Federal Foreign Office’s guidance before submitting their applications.