To travel to Germany, you need to apply for a visa before entering the country and you have to make your application in one of the the visa categories provided by the German Consulate Lagos. Learn More
VISA CATEGORY
The Visa category defines the purpose or intension of your travel to Germany or the means through which you wish to enter the country. Here you can find a list of the National Visa categories of the German Consulate Lagos and their requirements.
To apply for a Visa, you need to first book an appointment with the German Embassy.
You need an International Passport and Valid Email Address to book an appointment.
Booking Appointment
This means scheduling an interview at the German embassy on a particular date to receive your application and documents. The waiting period (duration from the time of appointment booking to the actual scheduled day of interview at the embassy) depends on the appointment waiting period for the particular Visa category. For instance, if an appointment was booked on the 13th march 2023 and the appointment date is on the 19th October, then the waiting period is about 6 months.
Each Visa category under the National Visa has a waiting period and the waiting period of some categories could take one year or more while some may take a few weeks. Because of the lengthy waiting periods of some of the visa categories, it's advisable to book an appointment as early as possible once you have a passport and start your German language course during the waiting period.
Shengen Visa
If you need to stay in Germany for a short term (90 days within a period of 180 days) for instance a visa for medical treatment, business, family visit etc, then you would be required to apply for a Schengen Visa. Learn more.
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Booking an appointment for a Schengen Visa often requires frequent checking on the next available date in the website of the German consulate Lagos. You need your international passport and email to book an appointment.
National Visa
If you plan stay in Germany on a long term, longer than 90 days, e.g family/spouse reunion, student, vocational training, skilled workers visa etc, then you require a National Visa .
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Student Visa
If you wish to study in Germany ( bachelor's degree, master's degree, PhD, research or scholarship program), you would require a student visa to enter Germany.
There are two categories of student visa.
Category A : The following Students fall under this category ( Master's degree program with a first class bachelor's degree, PhD studies, Research and Scholarship programs.)
Appointment waiting period is about 2 months.
Book an appointment for student visa category A
Category B : This includes other studies apart from category A. (Bachelor's degree, master's degree without first class bachelor's degree)
Appointment waiting period is more than one year.
Book an appointment for student visa category B
Note:
A Proof of fund in form of a Blocked Account (with a minimum disposal sum of €934/month) or a Letter Of Commitment (with credit rating “proven”, scholarship) will be required for student visa.
Many bachelor's degree courses are taught in German, therefore B2 German language proficiency is a requirement for university admission.
Some master's degree courses are taught in English, therefore you may not be required to provide any proof of German language proficiency, however a proof of completion of previous studies in English may or may not be required for university admission.
Family Reunion Visa
A spouse joining his/her partner in Germany or a child joining the parent(s) in Germany would require a family reunion visa.
Appointment waiting period is more than one year
* Note: Proof of basic German language proficiency (A1) is required for family reunion/spouse visa.
* The A1 certificate is only valid for one year. Book an appointment for Family reunion
Visa for Skilled Worker's
Skilled workers who have obtained a work contract from an employer in Germany need a visa to enter the country
A skilled worker in this regard is one who have completed a minimum of 2-3 years professional education or training in a recognized higher institution in your home country (eg university or polytechnic in Nigeria) or at the German Chamber Of Commerce in your country and you have work experience (1 year minimum)
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There are different categories of work visa for a skilled worker which include the following below.
Each visa category has it's specific requirements. Check to be sure you have or can obtain the necessary requirement of a particular category before booking the appointment.
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Visa within the framework of the fast track skilled immigration law
Appointment waiting period is about 3 weeks.
Book an appointment for fast track skilled immigration law​
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Note:
B1/B2 of German language proficiency is usually a requirement to get a job in Germany, however some professions (Regulated Professions) require extra qualification/exam (e,g FSP for medical doctors).
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