Following the successful on-site appointment at a German diplomatic mission, the processing time of the visa application begins. The duration of processing varies depending on the visa type, completeness of documents, and workload of the involved authorities. This article provides an overview of the usual processing times for applications and explains which factors can influence their duration.
Processing times – Schengen visa
For Schengen visas, the processing time is generally about 14 days. Processing is done directly by the embassy without involvement of German immigration offices, which leads to shorter processing times.
Processing times – National visa
For national visas for longer-term stays exceeding 90 days, the processing generally takes several weeks. In individual cases, processing can take up to 3 months or longer. Since in addition to the German embassy, the immigration office of the planned place of residence and if applicable the Federal Employment Agency are also responsible for the visa application, processing often takes longer.
During processing time
During processing time, embassies and immigration offices can request additional documents at any time. When additional documents are requested, a quick response is necessary, as otherwise delays may occur or the application may be rejected. The processing duration cannot be expedited through additional inquiries. Some embassies only allow inquiries about the status of the application after a certain period – often after 3 months. The current contact regulations should be checked on the website of the respective embassy. It is important to remain reachable for inquiries from the embassy during processing time and to check emails regularly.
Factors influencing processing time
- Completeness of documents
- Workload of the embassy
- Workload of the immigration office in Germany
- Federal state and region
After the decision
Once the embassy has decided on the application, the applicant is contacted – depending on the embassy, by email or by phone.
In case of approval: The person is requested to submit the passport for issuance of the visa. If not yet available, proof of valid health insurance must additionally be submitted.
In case of rejection: The embassy communicates the reasons for rejection and informs about possible steps. As of July 1, 2025, the remonstrance procedure was abolished. This means that against a rejection, only legal recourse before the Berlin Administrative Court remains available. Alternatively, a new visa application can be submitted at any time.
Special regulations
Some German embassies have begun to process certain visa applications – including those of international healthcare professionals – directly on-site, without consultation with a German immigration office. In these cases, the decision can be made within about 10 days. However, the prerequisite is that the application was submitted completely. If necessary documents are missing, the application can be rejected without the possibility of subsequent submission.
Accelerated skilled worker procedure
International professionals who have already concluded an employment contract with a German employer can use the accelerated skilled worker procedure. In this procedure, the employer in Germany can expedite processing by submitting the application directly to the competent immigration office. The accelerated procedure enables significantly shorter processing time, as communication between the embassy and immigration office is improved. The employer should be informed about this option before an appointment is booked at the embassy.
Important notes and practical tips
The stated processing times are guidelines and may vary in individual cases. If one must wait a long time for feedback from the embassy, this can often be explained by the factors mentioned above: A high number of visa applications at the embassy, requests for missing documents, or different processing times of recognition authorities in individual federal states can significantly extend the process. Early planning and timely application submission are therefore crucial. The most important factor for avoiding delays is the complete and correct preparation of all documents. Incomplete applications lead to longer processing times or even rejections. Before submitting the application, the current processing times and specific requirements should always be checked on the website of the competent embassy.
