Germany’s Consulate General in Karachi has introduced a new visa appointment system that replaces direct booking with a mandatory waiting list, effective immediately. The move, prompted by growing demand and limited capacity, is aimed at ensuring a fairer and more efficient process for Pakistani citizens seeking Schengen or long-term national visas.
No More Direct Appointments
Under the new procedure, applicants are no longer able to book appointments directly for most visa types. Instead, they must first register on a waiting list maintained by the Consulate. Appointments will then be assigned at a later date, based on the order of registration and the availability of time slots.
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According to an official statement, “Due to the constant high demand, it has been decided to set up a waiting list in order to efficiently adapt the appointment allocation to the capacities of our visa office.” This system applies specifically to Schengen (short-term) and national (long-term) visas. However, it excludes the Opportunity Card/Chancenkarte, for which applicants can still book appointments directly via the usual channels.
Mandatory Registration for All Applicants
Registration on the waiting list is now compulsory for all Pakistani citizens intending to apply for a visa, whether for short-term travel or long-term stays. The Consulate emphasized that registration is free of charge, and applicants are strongly advised not to use agents for the process. Any attempt to book in both appointment categories or to bypass the system may result in delays or disqualification.
Applicants are also required to provide detailed information during registration to better understand the purpose of travel. Only fully completed registrations will be considered for appointment allocation. Incomplete or inaccurate entries may result in applications not being processed.
Categories for Schengen Visa Registration
Those seeking a Schengen visa — which allows short-term stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period — must register under one of the following categories:
- Business
- Visit
- Trade Fair Exhibitor
- Trade Fair Visitor
- Tourism
- Others & Airport Transit Visas
During registration, applicants will also be asked whether their biometrics have been captured within the past 59 months. If so, they must provide proof during the interview. Applicants are not allowed to register under both biometric categories simultaneously.
Categories for Long-Term Visa Registration
For long-term national visas (for stays over 90 days), applicants can choose from the following two categories:
- Master’s Studies, Scholarships, PhD, or Research
- Bachelor’s Studies, Study Preparation, or Isolated Language Courses
Again, individuals are not permitted to register in more than one category at the same time.
Enhanced Fairness and Transparency
The German Consulate in Karachi reiterated that the new appointment system is designed to ensure fairness and to streamline the application process amid high demand. Appointments will be granted strictly in chronological order based on the registration date and capacity constraints. The change reflects the Consulate’s ongoing efforts to improve its services and meet the increasing number of visa applicants from Pakistan.
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All applicants are urged to:
- Register only through official channels
- Avoid using third-party agents
- Submit accurate and complete information
- Follow category-specific rules for both short-term and long-term visas
With the new system now in place, Pakistani citizens are encouraged to act promptly and responsibly to secure their place in line for German visas.