German authorities have launched an online visa application portal for Nigerians and other applicants worldwide.  

This was announced in a statement by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office on January 1.  

“The Consular Services Portal is being launched worldwide today, 1 January 2025, enabling people around the world to submit applications for German visas online,” the statement reads.  

According to the statement, 28 categories of national visas can now be applied for online by those who want to work, study, or join their families in Germany.  

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the online visa application portal as a positive development that will help the country meet its demand for skilled workers.  

“Every year, Germany is short of at least 400,000 skilled workers. 400,000 clever minds and even more agile hands to keep our country running – in the skilled crafts sector, in the care sector, in tech companies. Our national economy is also in a global competition to attract trainees, apprentices, and students.  

“At times like these, we cannot afford to downright put the best off coming here to roll up their sleeves because of long paper application forms and even longer waiting periods. At times like these, as one of the biggest economies and as a modern country of immigration, we need a national visa process that is state-of-the-art – modern, digital and secure,” Ms Baerbock said.