New Visa Rule Introduced: Germany Ends Remonstration Process from July 2025
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The Federal Foreign Office has come to a conclusion to abolish the remonstration procedure for visa rejections worldwide from 1 July 2025.
This step is taken to eliminate the legal remedy in the visa application procedure that is not prescribed and which up to now has been granted voluntarily.
The origin of this decision comes from a pilot project conducted in several German visa sections where suspension of remonstrations for both Schengen visas and national visas was tested from 1 June 2023.
Now, let’s clearly understand termination of the remonstration procedure, and other rising questions around it.
What Was the Remonstration Process?
The remonstration process is a unique appeal, that gave the liberty to applicants to challenge visa rejections through an administrative appeal, was not a legal requirement and had been offered voluntarily.
Here are the key features of the remonstration process:
- No court involvement
- Free of cost
- Decisions are typically made within 1–3 months
- Option to submit additional documents or clarifications
All in all, this method avoided a long procedure to fix minor mistakes or provide missing paperwork without starting from scratch.
How Termination of the Remonstration Procedure Will Affect Visa Applicants
The removal of the remonstration process means visa applicants will now face:
Impacted Area | Before Removal (Remonstration Process) | After Removal (Judicial Appeal Only) |
Cost | Free administrative review by the visa section; no legal fees or court costs | Judicial appeals are costly; applicants incur legal fees and court costs. |
Processing Time | Typically resolved within 1–3 months. | Judicial appeals can take up to two years from the filing date. |
Complexity | Straightforward process; applicants submit a letter and supporting documents to the embassy or consulate | More complex; requires navigating German legal procedures, often needing a lawyer’s assistance. |
Accessibility | Accessible for most applicants, including short-term travelers and students | May discourage short-term travelers and students due to higher costs, longer times, and legal complexity. |
Options After Rejection | Remonstration (internal review) or reapplication | Only options are reapplication or a formal court appeal |
Actions to Undertake Your Germany Visa Gets Rejected After July 1, 2025
In case your application is rejected after July 1, 2025, you can go for a judicial appeal through a German administrative court. This process involves:
- Hiring a German lawyer
- Paying court and legal fees
- Waiting for a lengthy decision
For most applicants, this way may not be worth the time or cost, especially if the visa was for a short-term stay.
Germany’s removal of the remonstration process witnessed a strong shift in visa policy. Applicants must now focus on first-time accuracy, as the consequences of a visa rejection can be more serious than you have imagined.
It should be noted that, if you are visiting Germany for tourism, study, or business. You should be prepared for a successful visa outcome.
