Germany has launched four new Schengen visa application centres across Nigeria, Cameroon, and Cyprus, in a move aimed at reducing processing delays and easing access for thousands of prospective travelers. The centres, located in Abuja, Lagos, Yaound?, and Nicosia, were opened under a new seven-year partnership between Germany?s Federal Foreign Office and global visa outsourcing firm, VFS Global.

The initIative marks Germany?s latest effort to streamline its visa services amid growing demand for entry into the Schengen Area from African and Middle Eastern countries. The new facilities will be responsible for key front-end processes, including the collection of application documents, biometric enrolment, and appointment scheduling, taking pressure off embassies that have often been overwhelmed by high volumes.

?This new collaboration with VFS Global enables us to improve accessibility and reduce the burden on applicants,? a spokesperson for the German Foreign Office said in a statement. ?We are committed to ensuring that the visa process is fair, transparent, and responsive to the needs of those wishing to travel to Germany.?

Prior to this rollout, Nigerian applicants?especially those outside Lagos and Abuja?had to contend with long wait times, limited appointment slots, and frequent technical issues while applying directly through the German embassy. The absence of dedicated visa centres meant that many were forced to make repeated trips or seek the services of unofficial agents, further complicating the process.

VFS Global, which already manages visa applications for several European countries, said it will also introduce digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency. ?We are proud to support the German government in making the visa application process smoother and more accessible,? said Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer at VFS Global. ?Applicants will now benefit from a secure, standardised and user-friendly experience.?

The move comes amid mounting criticism over the high Schengen visa rejection rates facing African applicants. Data from 2024 shows that African countries recorded some of the world?s highest refusal rates, despite relatively low application volumes. According to a Henley & Partners report, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana all saw rejection rates above 45%, with Nigeria?s standing at 45.9%.

An independent analysis by LAGO Collective estimated that African nationals collectively lost nearly ?60 million in non-refundable Schengen visa fees in 2024 alone. ?There?s a clear disparity in the way applications from Africa are treated compared to those from other regions,? said Dr. Anika Sorensen, a migration policy analyst. ?This expansion by Germany is a step toward easing that disparity, but there?s still a long road ahead.?

German officials acknowledged these concerns and noted that expanding the country?s consular footprint was part of a broader strategy to improve international engagement and facilitate people-to-people exchanges. ?We believe in fostering mobility as a way to strengthen economic, academic, and cultural ties,? said the Foreign Office spokesperson.

The new visa centres are expected to serve tens of thousands of applicants annually and will begin full operations later this month. Applicants can now book appointments via the VFS Global website, with options to select preferred locations and track applications through new online systems. (The Guardian)

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