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Top 10 Questions on the Consular Services Portal
Why a Consular Services Portal when there is already the Federal Portal?
Why a Consular Services Portal when there is already the Federal Portal?
Not all administrative services available in Germany can be applied for from abroad. The Consular Services Portal focuses on the most important services provided by the German administration that are relevant for people residing abroad.
Which devices can I use when using the Consular Services Portal?
Which devices can I use when using the Consular Services Portal?
You can access the Consular Services Portal on any PC, tablet or smartphone. All you need to do is register in order to submit an application and upload documents.
Is it still possible to submit documents via the system when an application is already being processed?
Is it still possible to submit documents via the system when an application is already being processed?
The checklist contains all the documents required to process your application. If another or different document is required, you will be notified via the Consular Services Portal as part of the preliminary review. If you have other documents that you consider to be relevant, you are welcome to bring them with you to the appointment at the German mission.
What happens if I do not submit subsequently requested documents?
What happens if I do not submit subsequently requested documents?
As an applicant, you are required by law to actively participate in the visa process, e.g. to provide supporting documents. If you fail to comply with requests by the German mission responsible for your visa application within the set time limit, it will be assumed that you do not wish to pursue the visa application further and your application will be deemed to have been “withdrawn”. The German mission will use the contact details provided by you to inform you when the visa procedure has been completed.
Can I see the current processing status of my application in the portal?
Can I see the current processing status of my application in the portal?
Yes, you can check the current status of your application online at any time in your user account in the Consular Services Portal. This is one of the advantages over the previous process.
What is a biometric photo?
What is a biometric photo?
There are specific requirements for taking biometric photos. Detailed information can be found in the biometric photos guide (PDF; 0.5 MB).
Why can’t the fee be paid online?
Why can’t the fee be paid online?
There are plans to introduce online payment, but this is still undergoing legal examination and technical adjustments.
Do I automatically have to submit applications via the Consular Services Portal if this service is offered, or can I also go in person to the German mission?
Do I automatically have to submit applications via the Consular Services Portal if this service is offered, or can I also go in person to the German mission?
It is still possible to submit applications as before. However, provided that you meet the requirements, we would appreciate it if you could apply online and let us know about your experience with the process.
Why do I still have to make an appointment at the relevant German mission for an application that was submitted online?
Why do I still have to make an appointment at the relevant German mission for an application that was submitted online?
Passports and visas require submission of biometric data, for instance, fingerprints. This means that you will still have to appear in person. Depending on the mission, you may have to wait longer for the next free appointment.
How do I find out if I can already submit an online application?
How do I find out if I can already submit an online application?
During the pilot phase, you can only use the Consular Services Portal in the jurisdiction of selected German missions and only for an initially limited number of application types. The precise conditions concerning who can use the online service, where it can be used and under which circumstances can be found on the application pages of the respective service. You can find the required information concerning the Blue Card (EU) on the Visa page. You can find the required passport information on the Passport page.
Further Questions
What is the difference between the online application and applying directly at the mission?
What is the difference between the online application and applying directly at the mission?
Your documents will be checked in advance to ensure they are complete, so that you will be well prepared for your appointment to submit your fingerprints. You can check the current status of your visa application at any time on the Consular Services Portal. You do not need to bring all the previously uploaded documents with you to the appointment.
Do I need to take the documents with me to the mission even though I have uploaded them already in the online process?
Do I need to take the documents with me to the mission even though I have uploaded them already in the online process?
You always need to present your original passport during your appointment at the mission. If the mission needs to see further original documents, they will inform you via the Consular Services Portal. Once the pre-check is completed, you will get a checklist stating everything you need to bring.
Are there separate appointments for those applying online using the Consular Services Portal?
Are there separate appointments for those applying online using the Consular Services Portal?
Unfortunately, longer waiting times for free appointments are possible even for online applicants, depending on demand and mission.
Where is my application being processed?
Where is my application being processed?
Your application is processed at the mission you chose after registering and log in. You are not able to change your selection afterwards.
Can I also apply online if I do not live in the administrative district of one of the pilot missions?
Can I also apply online if I do not live in the administrative district of one of the pilot missions?
No, this is not possible. Applications that are uploaded despite this cannot be processed and will be deleted. The applicant will be informed accordingly.
I have entered wrong data. Can I still correct this?
I have entered wrong data. Can I still correct this?
You can still correct everything until you have sent your application.
Do I have to complete the application at once or can I also log in later and upload missing documents?
Do I have to complete the application at once or can I also log in later and upload missing documents?
You can log in and log out several times, upload and delete documents until everything is completed. We recommend you save all the files you want to submit in a folder on your device so you can easily find and upload them.
What does it mean if it says that no online applications are possible at the moment when trying to chose the mission?
What does it mean if it says that no online applications are possible at the moment when trying to chose the mission?
If too many applications are uploaded at the same time, online applications are paused automatically to avoid overloading of the Consular Services Portal. Please try again later.
Pilot phase of the Consular Services Portal
The Consular Services Portal is currently under construction. You will soon be able to submit your visa application online at other German missions.
Selected German missions are taking part
During the pilot phase, visa applications and passport applications can be submitted online via the Consular Services Portal at selected German missions.
We want to test the new process before rolling it out online in more countries. The experience gained at the pilot German missions will help to improve the process. You will soon be able to submit your application online at other German missions. Since location-specific characteristics have to be examined in each case, it is not yet possible to say for definite when this will be.
First application types available
Here, too, we want to test the new process in practice before adding more application types. That’s why we initially focused on qualified professionals. This allows us to respond even better to the requirements of the Immigration Act for Skilled Workers (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz). However, we are already working on developing more online applications. Other visa or ID card types, for instance, are already being in the making and will soon be made available via the Consular Services Portal.
One application per user account
In order to be able to test the online application at the pilot locations as quickly as possible, we have focused on a standard process. Visas for family reunification e.g. are different for each individual, they require more documents and a more complex review. They are therefore not suitable for piloting.
Other languages will be added
The Consular Services Portal is currently available in German and English. Other languages will be added successively.
Your user account with the Consular Services Portal
A user account allows us, for instance, to contact you. You can also check the current status of your application here at any time.
We recommend that you create your own user account, especially with a view to data protection. If someone helps you with the application using their user account, you may still need to appear in person in order to submit biometric data.
If you already have a Nutzerkonto Bund, you can also use it to sign in to the Consular Services Portal in the future.
Security
Following the recommendation by the Federal Office for Information Security, the Consular Services Portal uses two-factor authentication (2FA) for registration and sign-in, i.e., you are required to prove your identity with a combination of two different and, more importantly, independent components (factors), for instance, a telephone number and email address.
Your data is subject to the most stringent security requirements and the underlying processes for processing data have been designed, implemented and audited with security in mind.
Visa application: Blue Card (EU)
What happens in the preliminary review?
What happens in the preliminary review?
During the preliminary review, your documents will only be checked to ensure they are complete. The preliminary review takes about one week. No decision is made at this point in time as to whether the visa can be granted. A successful preliminary review does not mean that the applicant is entitled to a visa.
Why can I only upload files in PDF format when uploading the required documents?
Why can I only upload files in PDF format when uploading the required documents?
To ensure secure transmission of your data, only PDF files can be processed.
Why should I not sign the application (VIDEX)? Doesn’t it say "Signature" at the end of the document?
Why should I not sign the application (VIDEX)? Doesn’t it say "Signature" at the end of the document?
After you have clicked the "FILL OUT VIDEX" button, a new window opened in your browser in which you filled out the application form. After clicking "Continue", a PDF document was automatically generated, which is specifically required for the online application. For technical reasons, it is necessary to upload precisely this document. Printing and signing would change the technical specifications of the document. Therefore, you do not need to sign the form, but can simply upload it without a signature.
What do you have to bear in mind when filling out the application (VIDEX)?
What do you have to bear in mind when filling out the application (VIDEX)?
Please fill out the application form (VIDEX) completely and then click "Next" (not "SAVE"). You will then receive a PDF file to download. Save the PDF and upload it here. No printout or signature required.
I have other documents that I would like to present for the visa. However, they are not mentioned in the list of documents required for the online application. Can I upload them anyway?
I have other documents that I would like to present for the visa. However, they are not mentioned in the list of documents required for the online application. Can I upload them anyway?
The list contains all the documents that the visa section requires to process your application. If you have any other documents that you consider to be relevant, you are welcome to bring them with you to your appointment.
Passport application: Adult passport
Which passports can I apply for on the Consular Services Portal?
Which passports can I apply for on the Consular Services Portal?
During the pilot phase of the Consular Services Portal, you can apply for an adult biometric passport. Other ID documents are being planned and will gradually be made available for application on the Consular Services Portal.
Using the Consular Services Portal, can I apply for my passport online from any foreign place of residence?
Using the Consular Services Portal, can I apply for my passport online from any foreign place of residence?
At present, you can apply for a biometric passport online if you are resident in one of the following consular/administrative districts: Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek; Norway, Oslo; United Kingdom, London. Further administrative districts are being planned.
Why do I have to go to the German mission in person, even though I can submit my passport application online?
Why do I have to go to the German mission in person, even though I can submit my passport application online?
You can submit the application form and all the required supporting documents online for preliminary review in the Consular Services Portal. In this way, everything will be perfectly prepared for your appointment in person at the German mission. You need to appear in person to prove your identity and provide your fingerprints. This completes your passport application and you then pay the fee due.
What supporting documents do I need for my online passport application?
What supporting documents do I need for my online passport application?
The required documents support the details you provide in the application form. As soon as you have completed the application form, a list of the required supporting documents will be shown. You then upload the required supporting documents to the Consular Services Portal and submit them together with your application form for preliminary examination.
How do I get my new passport?
How do I get my new passport?
As soon as your new passport has arrived at the German mission, you will be notified of this on the Consular Services Portal. You will also be informed about whether you can collect your new passport or whether it can be sent to you by post.
Do you need more help?
Before you send us a question, please first check whether the information on this site already contains an answer to your question.