LAGOS — The German Consulate in Lagos has unveiled plans to significantly speed up visa processing for Nigerian applicants, with a new target of completing all visa categories within three weeks.
Speaking at a media briefing on November 3, Consul-General Daniel Krull said the consulate is implementing reforms to improve efficiency and meet growing demand. Currently, the consulate processes over 10,000 visas annually, but aims to scale up operations through expanded office capacity and increased staffing.
“We are putting processes in place to fast-track visa processing for Nigerians, with a target of three-week maximum processing period for all categories of visas,” Krull stated.
The reforms will include:
Doubling the number of visa counters
Expanding office space
Engaging external service providers to support logistics and documentation
Krull emphasized that the move reflects Germany’s commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria. He expressed optimism about deeper cooperation in education, business, and skilled migration.
The announcement comes amid rising interest in Germany’s Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), which allows skilled workers to enter Germany for job hunting without a prior offer. Nigerian applicants have also shown increased demand for study, work, and family reunion visas.
The German government has recently introduced migration-friendly policies to attract global talent, and Nigeria is seen as a key partner in that strategy.
