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IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Germany ditches visa appeals: what this means for your travel plans
A South African passport, an official document used to apply for a visa. Image: Unsplash The landscape of visa applications for travellers, including those from South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, heading to Germany is set for a significant shift. In a decision announced by Germany's Federal Foreign Office, the remonstration procedure, which previously allowed applicants to appeal visa denials, will be abolished starting July 1. This change comes as part of a broader effort to streamline the visa application process, freeing up resources and reducing waiting times for applicants. Until recently, applicants who faced visa rejection could challenge the decision through an appeal process, which, while not legally mandated, was a common practice within the visa sections of German foreign missions. However, findings from a pilot project conducted across various German embassies revealed that suspending this procedure could enhance efficiency. Since June 1, 2023, this project has been trialled, and the outcomes indicated a substantial increase in the volume of applications processed, as well as noticeable reductions in wait times. 'This eliminates a legal remedy in the visa application procedure that is not statutorily prescribed and which up to now has been granted voluntarily,' stated the German Missions in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. The reform is expected to ensure that more national and Schengen visa applications can be processed, benefiting all prospective travellers who wish to visit Germany. The implications of this change While the scrapping of the remonstration procedure may streamline processes, what does it mean for travellers? If an application is denied, the option to appeal will no longer exist, raising concerns among applicants who rely on this recourse to rectify potential mistakes or misunderstandings in their submissions. Nevertheless, the German authorities have reassured applicants that adequate legal protections remain in place. Prospective travellers are still entitled to submit new applications without limit should previous applications be rejected. Importantly, this ensures that those who are genuinely seeking to visit Germany will still have opportunities to do so by carefully addressing any shortcomings in their submissions. Common reasons for visa application denials Insufficient financial proof Applicants must demonstrate they can cover their living costs during their stay in Germany, including accommodation and daily expenses. Incomplete or invalid documentation Errors or omissions in applications can lead to outright rejections. Lack of health insurance Valid health insurance covering the entire duration of the prospective stay is a mandatory requirement. Unclear purpose of stay While a tourist visa may appear straightforward, applicants must clearly document the reasons for their visit. False documents The use of forged or fabricated documentation can not only result in denial but may also lead to blacklisting. Inadequate language skills For certain visa types, such as student visas, demonstrable proficiency in German can be a requirement. Lack of qualifications For employment visas, lacking the necessary expertise or experience can be a disqualifying factor. Immigration offences A history of prior immigration violations can negatively impact new applications. Germany's decision to abolish the appeal process highlights the balancing act of maintaining rigorous immigration standards while attempting to create a more accessible and efficient pathway for travellers. The government assures applicants that the revised procedures, alongside steadfast legal protections, will contribute to a more robust and efficient visa application environment.
DW
4 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Namibia marks first Genocide Remembrance Day – DW – 05/28/2025
The inaugural commemoration event for genocide victims under colonial German rule has been held. Namibia's president said more needed to be done to reach an agreement on reparations. Namibia held a national day of commemoration on Wednesday for the victims of what is often referred to as "Germany's forgotten genocide." The programme included a candlelight vigil and a speech by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, along with a minute's silence in memory of the victims — the Herero and Nama peoples. "Many people from the two communities were forced into concentration camps where they were starved to death and their skulls were taken to Germany for so-called scientific research," she said. "These horrendous acts are now part of our collective history of resistance and resilience." Namibia has remembered the victims of genocide under German colonial rule Image: Charmaine Ngatjiheue/dpa/picture alliance Still no agreement on reparations says Namibia's president Namibia's president used the occasion to press for greater reparations than what Berlin has offered. "We should find a degree of comfort in the fact that the German government has agreed that the German troops committed a genocide against the... people of our land," Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the ceremony held in the gardens of parliament. While Berlin has offered an apology, there is still no agreement on reparations in talks that began with the German government in 2013, she said. "We must remain committed that as a nation, we shall soldier on until the ultimate conclusion is reached," Nandi-Ndaitwah said. Germany's director for Sub-Saharan Africa said in a post on social media that the countries were moving together towards reconciliation. "The Federal Government acknowledges Germany's moral and political responsibility. Together with Namibia, we are pursuing the path of reconciliation," Christoph Retzlaff, Africa Director of the Federal Foreign Office said in a post on X. May 28 has 'deep historical significance' The Namibian government said that May 28 held "deep historical significance" as it was the day in 1907 when German colonial authorities ordered the closure of concentration camps. "This event brought an end to the systematic and brutal killings, forced displacement, starvation and immense suffering endured by the OvaHerero and Nama peoples," it was stated in the official program. "During this tragic chapter in Namibia's history, tens of thousands of men, women and children were brutally killed." It was the first time Namibia officially commemorated the Herero and Nama murdered by German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908. The 20th century's first genocide in Namibia To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The 1904-1908 genocide While figures remain contested, according to conservative estimates, around 65,000 of 80,000 Herero people and at least 10,000 out of 20,000 Nama people were killed under German rule. Up to 100,000 people are said to have died at the hands of German forces with the period of history now widely accepted as the 20th century's first genocide. Germany formally recognized the crimes committed by colonial forces as genocide in 2021, following years of negotiations and offered Namibia €1.1 billion over 30 years, but the governments have yet to arrive at a final agreement. Local media reported that the day has not come without controversy with newspaper Windhoek Observer reporting on Tuesday that only two of the 13 speakers came from the Herero and Nama communities. Daily publication The Namibian reported that President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged Namibians to avoid division on the day of commemoration as some rejected it as something initiated by government. "I urge Namibians at large to avoid anything that would bring division among ourselves," The Namibian quoted the president as saying adding that the president had also said government had tried to include all parties. Edited by: Zac Crellin
News18
24-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Germany Ends Visa Appeal Process: Why Is That A Problem For Indian Applicants?
Last Updated: The informal visa appeal process will be suspended globally by Germany starting July 1. Starting July 1, Germany will discontinue the informal visa appeal process worldwide. This change is set to significantly impact Indian applicants seeking Schengen or national visas for education, employment, or tourism. According to the German Missions in India, the decision aims to reduce waiting times and enable staff to process a higher volume of visa applications. However, with the removal of the remonstration procedure, applicants whose visas are denied will need to resort to more costly and time-consuming legal avenues to challenge the decision. Germany Ends Visa Appeal The remonstration procedure in Germany previously allowed visa applicants to challenge rejections by submitting a free written appeal. This informal step offered a cost-effective alternative to pursuing a formal and often expensive legal route. 'The Federal Foreign Office has decided to abolish the remonstration procedure for visa rejections worldwide from July 1. This eliminates a legal remedy in the visa application procedure that is not statutorily prescribed and which up to now has been granted voluntarily," the German Missions in India states on its website. This decision follows a pilot project initiated in June 2023, during which the remonstration process for both Schengen and national visas was temporarily suspended to evaluate its overall impact. '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 German Missions added. As a result, they were able to process more visa applications and reduce wait times. Indians represent one of the largest groups applying for German national and Schengen visas, meaning they are likely to be most affected by these changes. According to a study by the visa processing platform Atlys, demand for Schengen permits among Indian applicants has increased this year. Holders of a Schengen visa from non-EU countries can travel freely across 29 Schengen states for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Indian visitors to Germany likewise experienced an 8.6 per cent increase in 2024, with 8,97,841 overnight stays in 2024 compared to 8,26,703 in 2023. With the informal appeals procedure ending, visa applicants must ensure their applications are error-free the first time to reduce the risk of rejection. In 2024, Germany rejected 206,733 Schengen visa applications, reflecting a rejection rate of 13.7 per cent. If an application is denied, applicants will have only two options: either submit a new application or pursue a legal appeal through the German courts. The legal route is often costly, requiring the services of a German lawyer, and court proceedings can take up to two years. Experts warn that the recent changes will make the appeals process significantly more difficult for applicants.
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First Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
Germany to scrap visa appeal process: How it will impact Indians
Germany will suspend the informal visa appeal process from July 1 worldwide, which is a big setback for Indians seeking Schengen and national visas. The European country says the move will reduce wait times and free up resources. However, Indians will have only two options if their visas are rejected, which are costly and time-consuming read more A woman poses for a picture on a bridge above the Main river in the centre of Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on August 7, 2023. File Photo/AFP Germany is doing away with the informal visa appeal process from July 1 globally. The move will be a big jolt to Indians seeking Schengen and national visas for higher education, skilled jobs and tourism in the European country. According to the German Missions in India, the change is expected to reduce wait times and free up staff to process more visas. However, after Germany scraps the remonstration procedure, applicants will be left with rather costly and time-consuming recourse if their visa is rejected. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look. Germany scraps visa appeal process Germany's remonstration procedure allowed visa aspirants whose applications were rejected to file a letter for free and contest the decision. This informal step saved visa seekers from taking the lengthy and costly legal recourse. 'The Federal Foreign Office has decided to abolish the remonstration procedure for visa rejections worldwide from July 1. This eliminates a legal remedy in the visa application procedure that is not statutorily prescribed and which up to now has been granted voluntarily,' the German Missions in India said on its website. This change comes after a pilot project was launched in June 2023, when remonstrations for both Schengen visas and national visas were suspended to assess their impact. '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 German Missions said. It said this helped them process more visa applications as well as cut wait times. A man walks past a wall with street art in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on August 1, 2023. File Photo/AFP How will Indians be impacted? Indians comprise one of the largest groups seeking German Schengen and national visas. The changes are, thus, likely to affect them more. According to the visa processing platform Atlys' report, the demand for Schengen visas surged among Indians this year. Schengen visa enables non-EU holders to visit 29 countries in the Schengen zone for 90 days in a 180-day period. Indians travelling to Germany also witnessed an 8.6 per cent spike in 2024, rising from 8,26,703 overnight stays in 2023 to 8,97,841 in 2024. As the informal visa appeal process ends, visa applicants will have to ensure their applications are error-free the first time to reduce the chances of being turned down. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2024, Germany denied 206,733 Schengen visa applications with a rejection rate of 13.7 per cent. Visa applicants will have only two options if their application is rejected. They can either submit a completely new application or file a legal appeal in German courts. The legal route is usually costly, and the applicant has to hire a German lawyer. The courts can take up to two years to reach a decision. '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. Furthermore, it goes without saying that all applicants have the option of submitting a new visa application at any time in the case of a rejection,' the German Embassy said. However, experts say that the visa reforms will make the appeal process more difficult. 'Germany's upcoming visa reform, effective from July 2025, is a double-edged sword for Indian students and travellers,' Ankit Mehra, Founder & CEO of GyanDhan told Financial Express. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'By removing the appeals process for rejected visa applications, the system promises faster processing and administrative efficiency. However, it also eliminates a crucial safety net. Applicants will no longer have the option to appeal rejections, making it essential that their documents and application meet all criteria from the start,' Mehra added. With inputs from agencies
Times of Oman
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Getting a Schengen visa will be harder for some expats from July
Muscat: It is not good news from Germany if you are planning on visiting this summer! Starting July 1, 2025, Germany's Federal Foreign Office has decided to abolish the remonstration procedure for visa rejections worldwide. This change means that applicants whose visa applications are rejected will no longer be able to submit a formal remonstration (a type of appeal or objection) directly to the German mission that processed their application. Until now, candidates had been able to apply for a new examination of the visa application, as long as it was done within a month of receiving the visa refusal letter. Applicants will now have the option to take legal action by filing a lawsuit with the administrative court in Berlin. The remonstration procedure was previously a mandatory step for applicants who wished to challenge a visa rejection before pursuing legal avenues. Its abolition aims to streamline the visa application process and reduce administrative burdens. This decision applies to all German diplomatic missions globally.
