How to Apply for German Visa from Nigeria

Germany Schengen Visa Application from Nigeria – Requirements, Form, Fee, Processing Time

Do you need an updated German embassy in Nigeria checklist? What are the basic German student visa requirements? How long does it take to process this Visa? Find out more in this guide.

Germany is an iconic country located in Europe. Her capital city is Berlin and German (Deutsch) is her official language. Germany, one of the famous countries in the world, is well reputed for giant strides in technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and sports (especially footballing).

Many Nigerians travel to different destinations in this country for a range of reasons such as work, study, tourism, business, among others. To make the preparations for your trip to Germany as straightforward as possible, you need to obtain a visa and meet several other requirements. Read on to learn more about how to apply for a German visa from Nigeria.

Types of Germany Visa

Regardless of the purpose of your trip to the country, you will require a Germany (Schengen) visa. These visas are under these two categories

• Short-Stay Visas

Also known as Schengen visas, they’re given to applicants planning to travel to this country for reasons like business, visit, training, or transit. These visas include the following:

• Business Visa

You would be issued a business visa if the purpose of your travel is to conduct certain business activities in Germany. Though citizens of several countries needn’t get a visa if they intend staying up to 90 days, the applicant’s nationality determines their eligibility for this waiver.

• Tourist Visa

This type is also known as visitor visa. If you are taking a trip to this country to visit members of your family, partake in a work seminar or summer school, you will have to apply for a German tourist visa. Its period of validity is 90 days. 

• Training Visa

Training visa is also called internship visa. If you are travelling to Germany to do an internship or training, this is the visa type you need.

•  Transit Visa

Transit or airport visa is only required by applicants who are from Nigeria, Mali, South Sudan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Turkey, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, India, Iraq, and several others. It is primarily issued if you would transit through Germany to get to your destination.

• Exhibition Visa

Also called trade fair visa, this type is issued to applicants travelling to Germany to take part in a trade fair or exhibition, and is valid for 90 days.

• Long-Stay Visas

These visas are issued to applicants that plan to stay in Germany for long, or even permanently. These include:

• Employment Visa

This is a long-stay visa, also known as a Germany work visa, issued to applicants that seek to work in the country. This visa could be for general employment, self-employment, or specialist professional.

• Study Visa

This type is issued to persons that desire to travel to the country to pursue a program in a German university.

• Job Seeker Visa

Job seeker visa is a long-term residency permit which enables the holder to stay for 6 months in Germany and find a job.

• Medical Treatment Visa

This type is issued to applicants that request urgent medical treatment in a German hospital or similar health institution.

• Guest Scientist Visa

If you’re a guest scientist or a visiting scholar planning to take a trip to Germany to attend a seminar, conduct research, and related projects, you would need a guest scientist visa.

Germany Visa Fees

All types of German visas cost €60, though in a lot of cases, they could be lesser due to waivers for national visas and other reasons. You can read more about German Visa fees to know the specific fees you need to pay for your visa application.

German Visa Application

General Requirements

• You would need the following documents to apply for a German visa:
• A Germany visa application form, correctly filled and duly signed
• A valid international passport that can still be used for a minimum of 6 months before expiring, and contain 2 blank pages to be utilized for visa endorsement
• 2 passport photographs that satisfy the requirements for visa application
• A proof, showing your accommodation in the country has been paid for, has to be sent to the German Embassy, along with every other necessary document
• A proof showing you have paid for a return ticket that is within the duration your planned trip will last
• A travel health insurance that is valid and covers the period your stay in the country will last
• For tourism visa applicant: A copy of an itinerary containing details of your trip to Germany, is required
• Bank statement, obtained at least 3 months before the date of visa issue
• Other supporting documents, depending on the type of visa you are applying for

How to Apply

• Ensure that the purpose of your trip is clear
• Download and complete the German visa application form
• Attach your passport
• Schedule an appointment
• Go to the visa application center, VAC, for the submission of your application form, along with other supporting documents
• Make payment for the visa fees at VAC
• Supply your biometric data
• Track your visa application on the net

Processing Time

A German visa is processed roughly 10 working days after application submission. But if you are asked to submit more documents, the processing could be a bit longer. Make sure that you present all relevant documents so your visa application can be processed without much delay.

Paying Germany Visa Fees

You can make this payment at VAC as cash or through debit cards.

Locations to Collect Visa after Approval

You can collect your German visa, upon approval, at VAC or via courier.

As an applicant living in Nigeria, or as a National from other country staying in Nigeria, you can do your interview and make other enquiries by visiting the German Embassies, whose addresses are stated below:

Lagos Address of Germany Consulate Nigeria

Address: No. 15 Walter Carrington Crescent (previously Eleke Crescent), V.I., Lagos
Phone number: +234-1-280-9966
Fax: +234-1-280-9969
Email address: info@lago.diplo.de

Abuja Address of Germany Consulate Nigeria

No. 9 Lake Maracaibo Cl., Maitama, Abuja
Phone number: +234-9-220-8011 and +234-9-220-8010
Fax: +234-9-220-8009
Email address: info@abuja.diplo.de

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