Germany Removes Visa Appeal Option Starting July 2025
Are you planning to work, live, or study in Germany for more than three months? Then buckle up — the visa process just became more streamlined but with a twist you can’t ignore.
New Prerequisite Alert: Long-Term Visas & Employment Entry Rules Updated
As of June 27, 2025, Germany has officially reiterated and clarified the essential prerequisites for longer-term stays or employment-related visas. Here’s what you must know:
- If you’re not from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you must apply for a visa before entering Germany for any stay over 90 days or if you’re intending to work.
- Nationals from a select group — Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the UK, and the USA — may enter without a visa and apply for a residence permit once inside Germany. Lucky group!
Everyone else? You’re on the traditional path: apply before arrival via the German diplomatic mission in your home country.
⏳ Processing Time: Patience is Key
Visas requiring immigration authority approval (especially those that don’t directly lead to employment) could take up to three months or more to process. This is due to the involvement of other bodies like the Federal Employment Agency.
The bright side? Employment-related visas usually skip this bottleneck and can be issued faster since they often don’t require immigration authority approval.
Application Forms: Mind the Language!
- Visa application forms for long-term stays (D-visas) are free and available in German, English, French, and Italian.
- BUT you must use the specific language version accepted by your respective diplomatic mission. Double-check their website before you show up with the wrong paperwork!
Inside Germany: Who’s In Charge?
Once you’re in Germany, any decisions about extending or converting your visa fall under the local immigration authority — not the Federal Foreign Office. These local authorities report to state interior ministries, meaning the Foreign Office can’t sway their verdicts.
D Visa Bonus: Travel the Schengen Zone on National D Visa
Your national visa (D visa) doesn’t just allow you to enter Germany — you can also travel freely for up to 90 days within a 180-day period across the Schengen Area. A serious bonus for long-term visa holders who want to explore Europe.
No More Remonstration Procedure After July 1, 2025
This is the headline you shouldn’t miss: Germany is scrapping its visa appeal mechanism (called the remonstration procedure) worldwide starting July 1, 2025.
Previously, if your visa was rejected, you could write a formal appeal asking the diplomatic mission to reconsider. Now? You’ll be informed of the reasons for rejection and have two clear paths:
- Take legal action — yes, court proceedings are still possible.
- Submit a fresh application — perhaps with updated documents or improved justification.
So, while the “remonstration” window closes, legal rights remain intact. Still, expect stricter, cleaner lines in the process from July onward.
Reference
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