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The German authorities have warned Nigerians seeking visas against using agents or sending documents to diplomatic missions by email in a bid to secure appointments or submit applications.
The German Mission in Nigeria issued the warning on Wednesday amid confusion over the correct procedure for starting a visa application.
It advised applicants to first determine the appropriate visa category based on the purpose and duration of their intended stay.
A Schengen visa is generally required for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, including tourism and family visits.
For stays exceeding 90 days, applicants generally require a national visa. This applies to purposes such as employment, study, vocational training and certain family-reunification cases.
The mission also advised applicants to establish which German diplomatic mission is responsible for processing their applications before proceeding.
Applicants should then use the official online appointment system for the relevant visa category and follow the instructions provided.
For certain long-stay visa categories, applicants can begin the process through Germany’s Consular Services Portal. However, submitting an application online does not remove the need for an in-person appointment where biometric information, original documents and other checks are required.
The German Missions in Nigeria also warned applicants against paying agents or third parties simply to secure visa appointments.
“You do not need to pay an agent just to book a visa appointment. The official appointment booking is free,” the missions said.
Applicants were further advised to ensure that appointments are booked under the correct visa category to avoid delays or having to make a fresh appointment.
During appointments, applicants may be required to submit supporting documents, provide biometric information and answer questions relating to their applications.
The mission urged applicants to rely on official German government information when preparing their applications and to be cautious of individuals or organisations offering visa appointments in exchange for payment.
For eligible national visa categories, applicants can use the official Consular Services Portal to submit an initial application and receive instructions on subsequent steps.
The German authorities said following the prescribed procedure would help applicants avoid unnecessary payments, incorrect applications and delays in processing their visa requests.
