Germany ENDS Visa Appeal Process — What Nigerians Need to Know
Germany visa appeal will officially end the remonstration process from July 1, 2025, for Nigerians applying to work, study, or live long-term in the country.
Nigerians planning to travel to Germany for work, study, or long-term stays should be aware of a major update in Germany’s visa policies.
Starting July 1, 2025, Germany has officially ended the visa remonstration process, a procedure that allowed applicants to appeal visa denials through a written request for reconsideration.
Major Shift in Germany Visa Policy
Previously, visa applicants who were refused had the option to file a “Remonstration,” asking the German embassy to review its decision.
This process has now been discontinued worldwide. According to the Federal Foreign Office, per Vanguard, this legal remedy was never formally required by law and was granted voluntarily, but it will no longer be available after the cutoff date.
The German government emphasised that while the remonstration procedure is ending, adequate legal protections remain in place.
Applicants who are refused visas will now have clear explanations for the denial and two main options moving forward:
- Filing a legal appeal through the German courts
- Submitting a new visa application with updated documents or improved justification
This change may remove one form of flexibility, but it is designed to improve transparency and speed up visa processing times.
Updated Visa and Entry Rules for Long-Term Stays
Germany has also tightened its rules for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals planning to stay longer than 90 days or seeking employment. From now on, these applicants must obtain a visa before entering Germany.
However, citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States are exempt from requiring a visa before arrival.
These travellers can enter visa-free and apply for a residence permit after arriving in Germany.
Nigerian applicants should take note of these changes to ensure smooth visa application processes and compliance with the new regulations for study, work, or extended stays in Germany.
