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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Faster visas ahead: Germany to end visa appeal process globally from July 1
From July 1, 2025, Germany will scrap its visa remonstration process globally, including for Indian applicants. The step is expected to speed up visa decisions for tourists, students and skilled professionals who often face long waits and unclear rejection reasons. The announcement was made by the German Missions in India after a decision by the Federal Foreign Office. What is changing The remonstration process allowed applicants to appeal a visa rejection directly to the consulate without going to court. It wasn't a legal requirement and was offered voluntarily. Now, that option is being removed entirely. 'In future, judicial review under law will not be limited by the abolition of the remonstration procedure,' said the German Missions in India, adding that legal protections remain available. Germany had already been testing this system since June 1, 2023, at selected consulates for both Schengen and national visa categories. < The pilot project showed a rise in the number of applications processed < Waiting times dropped compared to previous years < Staff could be reassigned to process more applications 'Dispensing with the remonstration procedure has released considerable staff capacity in visa sections,' said the German Missions, explaining the reason for the wider rollout. In 2024, Germany rejected 206,733 Schengen visa applications, with a rejection rate of 13.7%. Applicants can still reapply Anyone whose visa application is denied can still file a new application without restrictions. The earlier appeal process was often seen as unclear and slow, sometimes taking months without providing much explanation or resolution. Removing it, officials say, creates a more direct path for applicants—either to reapply or take the case to court. Online visa system already live From January 1, 2025, Germany also rolled out an online visa application system for national visas. This covers skilled workers, students, apprentices, and those applying for family reunification. The Consular Services Portal provides step-by-step digital instructions to guide applicants and ensure complete document submission. Faster appointments promised The German Missions have also committed to reducing visa appointment wait times, which had stretched to nearly nine months for Indian applicants in some cases. These are now expected to drop to just a few days. The shorter waiting period could help students applying close to term start dates and professionals dealing with tight job timelines.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Germany tightens Schengen Visa rules for Indians: Informal appeal system ends from July 2025
In a recent update, Germany has put an end to the informal appeal system for Indians applying for visas starting July 1, 2025. The significant procedural change was announced by the German government. The government has now decided to abolish the remonstration procedure, a previously available informal appeal system. It allowed applicants to challenge visa refusals at the embassy level without going through a formal court process. Under this system, students, professionals, and tourists who had their visa applications rejected could submit a remonstration letter for free. This letter allowed the German consulate to reassess the case and potentially overturn the initial refusal. It served as an accessible and cost-effective remedy for many Indian applicants. However, starting July, this option will no longer be available. As per a statement from Germany's Federal Foreign Office, the remonstration process is not legally required, but had been offered on a voluntary basis. 'The Federal Foreign Office has decided to abolish the remonstration procedure for visa rejections worldwide from 1 July 2025,' it said. With this move, applicants will be left with two choices: either file a brand-new visa application or take the more complex and expensive route of a formal judicial appeal in a German court. This decision follows a pilot project conducted in June 2023, in which several German missions temporarily suspended the remonstration process. The project showed that removing the remonstration option allowed embassy staff to reallocate resources more efficiently, process more visa applications, and reduce wait times. The results were reportedly positive enough to justify a global rollout of the new policy. Impact on Indians The impact on Indian visa seekers is expected to be substantial. Indians make up a considerable portion of applicants for German Schengen and national visas, particularly in the categories of higher education, skilled employment, and tourism. Without the option to appeal informally, rejected applicants will now face higher costs and longer timelines. Reapplying involves submitting a fresh application, paying fees again, and possibly waiting months for a new appointment. Legal appeals can stretch for years and often require hiring an attorney. This shift places greater pressure on first-time applicants to ensure that their documentation and application are complete and accurate. Small mistakes or missing documents that were once correctable through a remonstration could now result in full reapplication or lengthy legal battles. However, Germany is also rolling out digital reforms to ease the application process. Since January 2025, Indian applicants for student, skilled worker, apprenticeship, or family reunification visas have been able to use the Consular Services Portal, an online platform that guides users through each step of the application. According to the German mission, these digital tools have already improved submission quality and reduced delays caused by incomplete applications. The end of the remonstration system marks a significant tightening of Germany's visa process for Indian nationals. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Germany to abolish visa remonstration process worldwide starting July 1
The German Federal Foreign Office will abolish the remonstration procedure for visa rejections worldwide, starting July 1. This was announced by the German Missions in India following an official decision communicated through the Federal Foreign Office. The remonstration process, which allowed applicants to challenge visa rejections through an administrative appeal, was not a legal requirement and had been offered voluntarily. Its removal follows a pilot project conducted since 1 June 2023 in several German visa sections, where the remonstration process was suspended for both Schengen and national visa categories. According to the German Missions in India, "Evaluation of the pilot project has shown that dispensing with the remonstration procedure has released considerable staff capacity in visa sections in some cases, freeing up staff to process more visa applications." The data indicated that the suspension led to an increase in the number of processed applications and reduced waiting times compared to the previous year. Officials stated that removing this step helps all applicants by accelerating overall processing. At the same time, they emphasised that legal protections remain intact. "Adequate legal protection will also be guaranteed in the future, for judicial review under law will not be limited by the abolition of the remonstration procedure," the statement added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo Applicants whose visa requests are denied can still submit new applications without restrictions. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The German Missions also highlighted the global rollout of online visa applications for skilled workers, students, apprentices, and family reunification. Since 1 January 2025, applicants have been able to file national visa applications through the Consular Services Portal, which provides guided instructions to ensure all necessary documents are submitted digitally. Live Events RECOMMENDED STORIES FOR YOU VFS Global launches CSP assistance service for Germany visa applicants in Bengaluru and Kochi New German government plans to boost border controls to curb migration The German Missions stated that experience from the online application pilot project has shown that this significantly improves the quality of the procedure and avoids delays caused by incomplete applications.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
VFS Global launches CSP assistance service for Germany visa applicants in Bengaluru and Kochi
VFS Global has introduced an optional Consular Services Portal (CSP) Assistance Service for Germany for student and vocational training visa applicants in Bengaluru and Kochi, as per the official statement by the company. The new service is designed to provide applicants with step-by-step support in registering, completing forms, and submitting documents through the Consular Services Portal. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack The groundwork before India mounts a strike at Pakistan India considers closing airspace to Pakistani carriers amid rising tensions Cold Start: India's answer to Pakistan's nuclear threats This service is aimed at making the visa application process more efficient by guiding applicants through the CSP registration, form filling, and document upload process in a single visit to the Visa Application Centre (VAC). VFS Global staff will assist applicants in completing the application form and uploading the necessary documents, ensuring accuracy and eliminating the need for multiple visits. The service is available only to student and vocational training visa applicants in Bengaluru and Kochi. It provides an affordable and secure alternative to unauthorised third-party agencies that often overcharge for similar services. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Start Commodity Trading Today with This Free Masterclass By Hiral ! TradeWise Learn More Undo Achim Burkart, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bengaluru, emphasised the importance of the service in improving the visa application experience. "With the introduction of VFS Global's new optional Consular Services Portal (CSP) Assistance service, applicants now have the option to receive personalised support throughout their visa journey. This service is designed to enhance convenience and ensure a seamless experience for long-term visa applicants," he said in the official statement. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer for South Asia at VFS Global, explained that many applicants often rely on unauthorised third parties to complete tasks such as form filling and document scanning. Talwar added in the official statement, "To ensure a secure, affordable, and accessible alternative, VFS Global is introducing an optional assistance service at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) designed to assist applicants in navigating the CSP platform with ease." Live Events To access the service, applicants can book an appointment online. Once the appointment is confirmed, they will visit the VAC, where VFS Global staff will guide them through the process, ensuring that they retain full control of their application. While the CSP Assistance Service is optional and comes at an additional cost, it does not affect the processing time or the likelihood of a favourable visa decision.
