2021-12-01 17:54:36 2 Comments

Germany Changes Work Visa Appointment Procedures for Western Balkan Nationals

The German authorities have announced that due to the extremely high demand for visa application schedules for employment in line with the Regulation on the Western Balkans, the existing rules will be updated. According to the latest update made by the German Embassy, new rules regarding the appointment procedure will be made since the number of applications exceeds the number of schedules that can be made available at the moment, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. Therefore, in order to ensure equal opportunities for an application schedule for all nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Serbia, the German authorities have revealed that since the beginning of December 2021, schedules will be set through using a monthly lottery procedure. This means that everyone will be able to submit an application. However, only the lucky ones will be able to schedule an appointment. Persons who wish to make a visa application schedule will be able to do so from today, December 1, until December 17, by using the online system. “Interested persons will have the opportunity from December 1 at 09.00 to December 17 at 12.00, through the online system of scheduling embassy application schedules to express their interest in the lottery procedure,” the German Embassy noted. Moreover, the same has disclosed that selected applicants who apply during the above-mentioned period will receive an application schedule for January or early February 2021. Regarding the selection of the applicants, the Embassy explained that the lottery procedure would be carried out by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin under supervision. Additionally, through the same announcement, the German Embassy has made sure to emphasise that applicants are not allowed to register multiple times, change the registered or transfer their schedule to another person. Apart from that, it has been highlighted that earlier registration doesn’t have an advantage over later registration, and the engagement of third parties is not necessary. “The Embassy does not schedule extra appointments, so please waive this type of request,” the Embassy added. Currently, all the Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Serbia – are part of Germany’s high-risk list. Based on the current entry rules that Germany has, travellers from these countries are required to fill in a digital entry form and stay self-isolated for ten days upon their arrival. Nonetheless, those who have been vaccinated with a recognised vaccine, as well as those who hold a valid recovery certificate, can skip the quarantine requirement.

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