The German Embassy in Dhaka will introduce a digital application system for student visas from 1 January next year to reduce appointment waiting times and make the process more transparent and efficient.
According to an embassy press release, applicants seeking national visas to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Germany will have to submit their applications through the German government’s Consular Services Portal, known as the Auslandsportal.
Under the new system, applicants will complete application forms and upload the required supporting documents online before attending their in-person appointments. The documents will undergo preliminary checks by VFS, the embassy’s external service provider.
In-person appointments will mainly be used for biometric data collection, visa fee payments and verification of documents, where necessary. Applicants will also be able to track the progress of their applications directly through the portal.
As part of the transition, the embassy will abolish the existing appointment waiting list by the end of this year. Those already registered on the list will have to create new accounts and submit fresh applications through the digital portal.
The embassy expects the new system to increase processing capacity and reduce appointment waiting times. However, processing times for individual visa applications may still vary.
