From July 1, 2025, Germany has officially stopped accepting visa remonstration appeals. This means that Nigerians and other nationals applying for work, study, or long-term visas can no longer file an objection if their application is denied.
The remonstration process, which previously allowed applicants to request a review of rejected visa decisions, is now fully discontinued.
The change affects all long-term visa applicants globally. Instead of filing an appeal, rejected applicants must now choose between submitting a new application with improved documents or starting a legal challenge through the courts in Germany.
While the appeal option through embassies is no longer available, other legal steps remain open to applicants.
Germany has also introduced updates to its visa system to make the process more efficient. The new rules apply to nationals outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who plan to stay longer than 90 days or take up employment.
These individuals must complete the visa process before arriving in Germany. However, citizens from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the US may still travel without a visa and apply for a residence permit after entry.
Applicants, including Nigerians, must submit their visa applications at the German embassy or consulate in their home country.
Certain visa types, such as those for study, family reunification, or self-employment, may take up to three months to process, as they require approval from immigration authorities in Germany.
The delay occurs when more than one agency, like the Federal Employment Agency, is involved.
Work visas are generally processed faster since they usually need fewer approvals. Holders of national D visas can also travel within the Schengen Area for short stays.
To avoid delays or issues, applicants are advised to regularly check the website of the German embassy or consulate in their region for updates.