Germany has expanded its visa processing network across Africa and the Middle East by opening four new Germany Visa Application Centres in partnership with VFS Global, a private visa outsourcing firm.
The new centres include locations in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Cyprus.
The expansion follows a renewed seven-year agreement between the German Federal Foreign Office and VFS Global.
Previously, Nigerian applicants seeking German (Schengen) visas primarily relied on the German Consulate General in Lagos and the Embassy in Abuja for processing.
However, VFS Global did not previously operate Germany Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Nigeria, meaning most applicants had to submit their documents directly at the German Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos. This often resulted in limited appointment availability and long waiting times.
With the new centres now operational, VFS Global will handle the initial stages of the visa process—including application submission, biometric data collection, and appointment scheduling—making the process more streamlined and accessible, particularly for applicants outside major urban centres.
As part of the agreement, four new Germany Visa Application Centres have been opened in:
Abuja, Nigeria; Lagos, Nigeria; Yaoundé, Cameroon; Nicosia, Cyprus.
These additions bring VFS Global’s total number of German visa application centres to 72 worldwide. VFS Global already provides German visa services in several locations, including Algiers (Algeria), Manama (Bahrain), Erbil (Iraq), Amman (Jordan), Doha (Qatar), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Beirut (Lebanon), Muscat (Oman), and both Abu Dhabi and Dubai (UAE).
Reacting to the development, Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer at VFS Global, described the renewed contract as a strong vote of confidence from the German Federal Foreign Office in the company’s services.
Germany continues to be a leading destination for travellers from Africa and the Middle East seeking opportunities in education, tourism, healthcare, and professional sectors. The expansion of visa centres is expected to ease congestion, increase appointment availability, and improve the overall application experience.
VFS Global also cautioned against fake websites and fraudulent agents claiming to secure visa appointments for a fee. The company advised applicants to book appointments only through the official VFS Global website to avoid scams.
