Nigerians and other applicants from around the world can now apply for visas online thanks to the opening of a portal by German authorities.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office made this announcement in a statement on January 1.

“The Consular Services Portal is being launched worldwide today, 1 January 2025, enabling people around the world to submit applications for German visas online,” the statement reads.

The statement directed eligible individuals who intend to work, study, or visit their family in Germany to apply online for 28 different types of national visas.

Read also: Thailand launch e-Visa application for Nigerians, Ghanaians, other African nations

Germany’s online visa application portal to meet demands for 400,000 skilled workers 

The online visa application portal is a good step that will help Germany meet its demand for talented workers, according to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

She said, “Every year, Germany is short of at least 400,000 skilled workers. 400,000 clever minds and even more agile hands to keep our country running – in the skilled crafts sector, in the care sector, in tech companies. Our national economy is also in a global competition to attract trainees, apprentices, and students.”

“At times like these, we cannot afford to downright put the best off coming here to roll up their sleeves because of long paper application forms and even longer waiting periods. At times like these, as one of the biggest economies and as a modern country of immigration, we need a national visa process that is state-of-the-art – modern, digital and secure,” Ms Baerbock explained.