Khan77

Updated:

Finding an appointment

Dear Handbook Germany Team,

I hope you are doing well.

I am an Afghan citizen who has been admitted to a German university and fulfilled the academic and financial requirements necessary for a student visa application.

However, the German Embassy in Islamabad — where most Afghan students apply — currently has extremely long waiting times for appointments. This delay makes it difficult for Afghan students to start their studies on time.

Therefore, I would like to ask the following:

1. Are there any alternative German embassies or consulates where Afghan nationals can apply for a student visa with shorter waiting times?

2. Can Afghan citizens apply from countries such as Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, or Oman, if they are able to enter legally or obtain temporary residence there?

3. Are there any official recommendations or support channels specifically for Afghan students in this situation?

I would highly appreciate your advice or support in navigating this challenge, as many Afghan students are facing similar difficulties.

Thank you very much for your time and understanding.

Kind regards,

4 Comments

Reply (4)

Yara__Community_Manager

Hi @FidaYam_volunteer , do you have any tips regarding the appointment at the German embassies?

FidaYam_volunteer

Updated:

Dear Khan77,

Firstly, congratulations on your university admission and having met all academic and financial requirements! I understand how frustrating the long waiting time for a visa appointment can be. Below are the current options and official facts:

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1. Are there alternative embassies or consulates where Afghan nationals can apply for a student visa?

Only two German missions officially accept long-stay Visa D (including student visas) from Afghan nationals: the German Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, and the German Embassy in Tehran, Iran .

The Kabul embassy is currently closed, so applications via Kabul are not possible. Any attempt to register through Islamabad’s platform without the Kabul portal may be automatically cancelled .

Unfortunately, other German embassies or consulates in countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, or Oman are not authorized to process long‑term visas for Afghan nationals. Schengen (short‑stay) visas are handled only in Islamabad, ~~Tehran~~, Dubai, or Istanbul, but not student visas .

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2. Can Afghan citizens apply from Iran or other third countries if they’re legally resident there?

Yes, if you are legally residing in Iran, you can apply via the German Embassy in Tehran, which processes student/long-stay visa applications from Afghans — but you must actually live in Iran and meet the local jurisdiction rules .

For countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, or Oman, the official regulations do not support processing of German long‑term visas for Afghan nationals in those places. These missions do not accept such applications .

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3. Any official recommendations or support for Afghan students facing these delays?

The Islamabad embassy has shifted to a new Consular Services Portal (from January 2025), which requires you to pre‑submit and pre‑screen your documents online before being put on the waiting list for an appointment .

Waiting times for student visa appointments in Islamabad are currently around 12 months, based on both embassy statements and recent forum confirmations .

After successful registration, visa processing (once you submit your documents) takes around 5–10 weeks .

If you’re stuck or uncertain about which mission to use, or technical issues with the portal, you can reach out to migration support NGOs (like DAFI, World University Service or Handbook Germany volunteers) for individual assistance.

Wishing you success and a smooth process ahead!

Warm regards,

FidaYam_volunteer

References:

Islamic Embassy visa information:

https://afghanistan.diplo.de/af-en/05-visaeinreise/2005366-2005366

Kabul mission closure:

https://afghanistan.diplo.de/af-en

Visa: Afghan Applicants - Federal Foreign Office:

https://pakistan.diplo.de/pk-en/service/2208620-2208620

German Missions in Pakistan:

https://pakistan.diplo.de/pk-en/service/2208622-2208622

My_Community_Managerin

Updated:

Thank you for sharing this valuable information.

I would like to add that, unfortunately, the German embassy in Teheran is closed for an indefinite time. Unfortunately, all requested appointments are cancelled for now.

You can read more about it on the website in German or Farsi: https://teheran.diplo.de/ir-de

Lastly, short term schengen visa for afghan nationals can only be applied in Islamabad, Dubai or Istanbul: https://afghanistan.diplo.de/af-en/05-VisaEinreise?utm

I hope you will get an appointment soon!
Please let us know if you have further questions.

FidaYam_volunteer

Oh, Thanks for letting us know. Appreciate it.

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