Germany Updates Visa Appointment System in Karachi

KARACHI: In a significant change to its visa processing approach, the German Consulate General in Karachi has introduced a new appointment system for Schengen and long-term visa applicants. This shift comes in response to the rising number of applications and aims to streamline the process through a fairer and more organized method.

Under the revised procedure, applicants will no longer be able to book visa appointments directly. Instead, a waiting list system has been established. Interested individuals must now register their names on the waiting list, after which appointments will be assigned in chronological order based on availability and capacity at the visa office.

This change does not apply to those applying for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). As clarified by the consulate, “appointments can still be booked directly through the appointment allocation system” for this category.

Explaining the decision, the consulate stated:

“The Consulate General has changed the procedure for booking appointments for Schengen and long-term visas. (Except Opportunity Card/Chancenkarte for which appointments can still be booked directly through the appointment allocation system.)

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.

You will no longer be able to book an appointment directly, but you will first register your name on a waiting list, and in a second step appointments will be allocated at a later date by the consulate in chronological order of registrations based on available capacity. To ensure that appointments are allocated fairly and smoothly, all applicants (for the above-mentioned categories) are asked to register on the waiting list.

For this purpose, additional information is required to better understand your travel purpose. Therefore, please complete the waiting list registration carefully with the requested information. Only when the required data is entered correctly and completely will an appointment be allocated.”

Furthermore, the consulate has issued a strict warning against the use of agents or intermediaries for registering on the waiting list. As highlighted:

“The German Consulate in Karachi has strictly warned applicants not to use agents for registration. Waiting list registration is free of charge.”

Applicants are advised to follow the instructions carefully and ensure all details are filled in accurately during the registration process.