German Embassy in Islamabad Streamlines Work Visa Application Process for Pakistani Nationals
In a major step to enhance the efficiency of its visa services, the German Embassy in Islamabad has announced significant changes to its work visa application process. Pakistani nationals seeking employment opportunities in Germany can now benefit from a faster, more streamlined application experience, thanks to a range of new digital tools and increased processing capacity.
According to an official announcement shared by the embassy on its social media platforms, the new procedures are aimed at speeding up the process and eliminating long waiting lists. This update is especially relevant for Pakistani applicants across a variety of employment categories, including highly skilled workers, EU Blue Card holders, those applying for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), self-employed individuals, and those seeking recognition of qualifications.
Key Updates:
- Online Portal Integration: All work visa applications must now be initiated via the Consular Services Portal at digital.diplo.de/visa, which offers a guided questionnaire and checklist to ensure that all documents are submitted correctly prior to the in-person appointment.
- No More Waiting Lists: The embassy has officially closed waiting lists, moving entirely to the digital portal system to improve processing speeds and transparency.
- Expanded Processing Capacity: The German Embassy will now be able to handle a significantly higher volume of applications, reducing overall wait times for Pakistani nationals.
“This speeds up processes at the Embassy and increases the number of visas we can process,” the Embassy stated, adding that personal appointments are still required for identity verification, biometric data collection, and visa fee payments.
Germany’s Labour Market Needs Skilled Workers
These changes come at a time when Germany is actively seeking to address labour shortages across multiple sectors. According to data from the Federal Foreign Office, over 80,000 work visas were issued in the first half of 2024—40,000 of which were granted to skilled workers. This marks an increase of 3,000 compared to the same period in 2023.
A report by the German Economic Institute (IW) highlights that the country currently faces approximately 570,000 unfilled jobs, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, IT, engineering, manufacturing, and transportation.
“For companies, this means that their production potential is being wasted. They could actually produce more, but they don’t have the employees to do so,” the IW noted.
The embassy’s decision to simplify visa processes for Pakistani nationals is expected to support Germany’s broader strategy to attract global talent and address pressing labour shortages.
Source: Schengen.News
