The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday the launch of its new Consular Services Portal, marking the beginning of the complete digitalization of the national visa application process for work, study, vocational training, and family reunification.
Set to be operational starting January 1, 2025, the portal will connect Germany’s 167 visa services worldwide, the Ministry said in a statement.
The initiative, launched in 2022, initially prioritized processing visa applications for skilled workers.
This “administrative revolution” aims to streamline visa procedures, allowing Germany to boost its competitiveness in attracting qualified labor—a need made even more urgent as the country faces its second consecutive year of recession in 2024.
“Each year, Germany is short of at least 400,000 skilled workers. These are 400,000 talented minds and even more skilled hands that help drive our economy, particularly in sectors like craftsmanship, healthcare, and technology,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in the statement.
“As an economic nation, we are also in global competition to attract apprentices and students,” she added, emphasizing that Germany, as an immigration country, requires a modern, digital, secure, and needs-oriented visa process.
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