The receipt of national visa applications in the categories of

• vocational training (Section 16a of the German Residence Act)
• studies (Section 16b of the German Residence Act)
• measures regarding the recognition of foreign professional qualifications (Section 16d of the German Residence Act) and
• research and science (Section 18d and 19c (in accordance with Section 5 of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners) of the German Residence Act)

has been outsourced to the external service provider TLScontact since 03.06.2024.

The receipt of national visa applications in the categories of

• skilled workers with vocational training qualification taking up employment (Section 18a of the German Residence Act)
• skilled workers holding a university degree taking up employment (Section 18b of the Residence Act)
• EU Blue Card (Section 18g of the Residence Act)
• advanced vocational training (Section 16a of the Residence Act) and
• internships and training programmes (Sections 16a and 16e of the Residence Act and Section 15 of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners)

will also be outsourced to the external service provider TLScontact from 02.09.2024.

Submission of applications in these categories will then only be possible at TLScontact and no longer at the German Embassy Nairobi.

Why is the receipt of applications outsourced to TLScontact?

By outsourcing the application receipt process, there will no longer be any waiting times for appointments for the application categories mentioned. The German Embassy Nairobi will also free up capacity to process higher numbers of applications.

Where is the Visa Application Center located and when is it open?

The address of the Visa Application Center is as follows: 4th Floor, 9 West Building, Ring Road Parklands, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya

Visa applications can be submitted to TLScontact between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) after booking an appointment in advance.

How can I book an appointment with TLScontact to submit my visa application?

You can book the appointment on the TLScontact website.

Does TLScontact charge a fee for accepting visa applications?

Yes. The service fee is 28.50 euros per application converted into Kenyan shillings.

In addition, TLScontact offers, for a fee, to make photocopies and biometric photos, send passports by courier and inform applicants via SMS when the passport is ready for collection.

Will the German Embassy Nairobi continue to process visa applications?

Yes. TLScontact only accepts the applications and then sends them to the German Embassy Nairobi, where the applications are processed and decided upon.

Where can I find the information sheets for the outsourced application categories?

The information sheets can be found both on the website of the German Embassy Nairobi and on the website of the external service provider.

Where do I have to habitually reside in order to submit an application to TLScontact?

If your habitual residence is in Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea, Burundi, Sudan or the Seychelles, then the German Embassy Nairobi is responsible for processing your national visa application. You can then submit your application for one of the application categories mentioned to TLScontact.

I have already registered on the Embassy's appointment waiting list for one of the application categories to be outsourced, but have not yet received notification of the final appointment. What should I do now?

Please book an appointment to submit your application via the TLScontact website. Unfortunately, due to capacity reasons, you can no longer be assigned an appointment at the Embassy.

I want to apply for a visa in one of the application categories mentioned and already have preliminary approval in the fast-track procedure for skilled workers. Should I then also submit my application to TLScontact?

Yes, you must then also submit your application to TLScontact.

My university degree/my foreign professional qualification is recognized in Germany, so I am a skilled worker holding a university degree/with training qualification within the meaning of the Residence Act. However, I have not yet signed an employment contract with a company in Germany, but I want to enter Germany to look for employment. Can I also submit my application to TLScontact?

No. You must submit an application for an opportunity card in accordance with Section 20a Residence Act. This application can only be submitted directly to the embassy. This requires prior registration on the embassy's appointment waiting list.

I want to apply for a visa for a language course that does not serve to prepare for training or study. Can I also submit this application to TLScontact?

No. Visa applications for language courses that do not serve to prepare for training or study must still be submitted directly to the German Embassy in Nairobi. This requires prior appointment registration on the embassy's waiting list.

Will it no longer be necessary to visit the Embassy if I want to apply for a visa in one of the application categories mentioned?

After checking the application documents submitted through TLScontact, in individual cases it may be necessary for the Embassy to summon you to the Embassy for an interview to check the plausibility of your application. You will then be contacted accordingly by the Embassy.

I want to apply for a visa in one of the outsourced application categories. My family members want to apply for family reunification with me so that we can enter Germany together. Can my family members also submit their applications to TLScontact?

Yes. However, it is necessary that you submit your applications together to TLScontact. It is not possible for you to submit your application to TLScontact first and then your family members to do so at a later date.

Will it still be possible to submit visa applications for the vocational training, skilled workers with vocational training taking out employment, skilled workers holding a university taking up employment and EU Blue Card categories via the consular services portal?

It will temporarily not be possible to submit visa applications for the above categories via the consular service portal. A connection of the external service provider TLScontact to the consular services portal is expected to take place towards the end of 2024. From then on it will be possible again to submit applications digitally via the consular services portal.