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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
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Germany ends visa appeal process globally. How will it affect Indians?
In a major setback to Indian aspirants, one of the largest groups seeking German Schengen and national visas for higher education, skilled jobs, and tourism, Germany is set to scrap its informal visa appeal process from July 1. The decision is expected to streamline the visa application process, cut down wait times, and free up resources, but it also removes an accessible route for rejected applicants to contest visa decisions without legal intervention, the German Missions in India said. Until now, applicants whose Schengen visa requests were rejected could initiate a free and informal process known as the remonstration procedure, allowing them to challenge the decision without going through the courts. That option is now being globally phased out. '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. A two-year pilot project found that eliminating the informal appeal system helped free up staff and speed up the processing of new applications. 'Dispensing with the remonstration procedure has released considerable staff capacity in visa sections,' the German Missions said. Indians are likely to be disproportionately affected. In 2024 alone, Germany denied 2,06,733 Schengen visa applications, a rejection rate of 13.7 per cent. From July, rejected applicants will have just two choices: file an entirely new application or initiate a formal (and often costly) legal appeal in German courts. '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. Schengen visas allow holders to travel across the 29-country Schengen zone for up to 90 days in a 180-day period but do not grant employment rights.
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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
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.
