The German Consulate General has announced a major shift in its visa processing system, confirming that employment and student visa categories will now move to the Consular Services Portal. The update aims to increase processing speed and expand the number of visas issued.
As part of the transition, all existing waiting lists have been closed and will be removed. Applicants who already have confirmed appointments have been instructed to attend them under the previous procedure.
All other applicants will now begin their visa process exclusively through the new online portal, with digital submissions opening on December 12, 2026.
According to the consulate, student visa applications must now be submitted via:
🔗 digital.diplo.de/studium
Meanwhile, applications for employment, vocational training, jobseeker visas, and other long-term categories must be filed through:
🔗 digital.diplo.de/visa-ewt
Officials stated that the transition is intended to streamline procedures, reduce waiting times, and move all relevant visa categories toward a fully digital system.
