daambassador:
The question that kept running on my mind through out my stay yesterday in German embassy Abuja was, do they derive joy in punishing Africans especially Nigerians?

Appointment time was between 10:30am to 11:30am. Got there some minutes before 9:30am, had encounter with the security guys including a mopol officer, all of them were nice and friendly, and if you were not told you will think I have known them before that sunny morning.

At about 9:45am, I was called in first to observe Covid-19 protocols wearing of facemask, sanitizing my hands, checking my body temperature which was about 36.6 as I saw on the receptionist register.
Then I walk inside the mission's compound and was directed to the VO (actually didn't go there for visa appointment but for certification of documents), walked in and she asked me to have a sit
VO: how may I help you
Me: yes I'm here for documents certification
VO: Can I have the originals and photocopies,
including your int'l passport
Me: I presented all to her

After like 3 to 5 minutes she returned all the documents that I gave her and wish me goodluck, tho I didn't understand what she typed at the back of my transcript but the only thing I understood was yesterday's date.

When I enquire why all visa applicants especially guys going for Bsc will have to move to Lagos for their interview since they stipulated on their website that people leaving in the north should visit Abuja for consular and other related matters, she responded with a smile that "dear its management decision" to keep things that way.
Then I went further to ask why not keep to their position on people residing in a particular region of the country as they stipulate on their website, she still responded with that smile "dear its management decision and there is nothing she can do about it". At this point I got to the conclusion that the mission must have had it as a policy or a way to frustrate Nigerians because' the embassy was kinda deserted, I mean customers were not much (very scanty), only the staffs and security personnel. Yet they found it worthy to allow people going to Lagos for interview without considering the dangers on our roads, and coupled with the current security situation in Nigeria.

Emman2903:
Its quite funny people still register for this category B...
Or are they some new development we have not heard..
Some of us already have 5 rejections from previous semester..
And people are legit looking for admission and registering appointments in category B

Ftomilola:


It is troubling.

Immafrank:


I don’t understand we Nigerians sef, which one is “sort of” again smh? Are you trying to hide your class of grade or what? Answer should be YES or NO- I have a first class or I don’t. You were looking for answers here concerning SL and you couldn’t even be transparent about your class of grade, this ain’t cool tbh.

By the way, you need your original SL for your interview, so your sponsor has to post it to your from Germany, don’t let your sponsor use anything other than DHL express to avoid loss in transit, few years back, a scanned copy would have suffice as you can always post your original to the embassy when you have it at hand but things are completely different now.

NOTE: Your letter must not be older than 6 months as at the time of your interview, on the back of the letter, nachgewiesen must be ticked which translates to all requirements showing your sponsor’s financial credibility has been checked and fulfilled. If nachgewiesen is not ticked on your letter, that is straight up rejection!! PS: if your university is in Hannover and your SL is not from Hannover, be sure that the immigration office in Hannover will contact your sponsor via postal mail to send his documents (3 months pay slip, ID) so they can do thier own credit check again, this is because Hannover is very strict with SL. GoodLuck!

OdogwuEkeke:
Patriots, I just had a chat with my sis in Germany. She said two people are on their way to Germany.

I asked what category, she said Category B then I asked when they booked.

She said they booked an appointment in October and put the start date in January. They had letters of presence.

They got their visa recently.

It seems those that are getting appointment dates CAT B are not on nairaland, or they are not just saying anything. Legit

Nonsoanthony:


TESTIMONY
Although it's coming late but I know it will be a good source of information for those that are already in Ukraine and want to move to Germany on a Student visa.

My Journey to Deutschland is a case of Determination and Gratitude to God.

I started my Deutschland journey January 2019, I got 5 admission from different schools by May 2019...exactly the month the German Embassy in lagos started this Category A and B of a thing...with thier conditions I fall into Category B. I booked an appointment with category B in May 2019..I prayed and fasted for a month for an appointment and that's to no avail...middle of June I booked category A with a leap of Faith and got an appointment immediately for 6 days later being 24th of June 2019.

I went for my appointment that day after check with Mr Paulinus I was allowed in...when it's my turn to be interviewed..the visa officer was so nice to me but had to turn me back as she said I can't be interviewed cos I didn't belong to category A...I was devastated but it didn't kill my spirit...I had to come back home and rebooked category B with my fasting and prayers. The winter semester 2019 passed no AD, I got an admission for summer 2020 booked and appointment again for Category B the summer semester passed no AD.

By May 2020 I told myself the truth that if I must achieved my dream of studying in Germany I must do it the hard way...I checked up for Ukraine as it will be a good route for me...I applied for Ukraine study visa and got my visa by August 2020. I moved to Ukraine in October after thier lockdown lifting on september 28.

Getting to Ukraine I registered with a school, Got an accommodation and also got my residence permit by end of November 2020. I also got my admission for Germany summer semester 2021 but I was confused whether I will stay in Ukraine for six months before applying from there...I called thier visa center..( Visametric).that was in December of 2020. I told them that I came into Ukraine in October that was 2 months back as of then...if it's possible to apply immediately or stay for 6months...They gave me a wonderful news I wanted to hear that I can apply immediately....they gave me date of on the phone immediately for December 11 which I later cancelled cos my block account wasn't ready..and rebooked for end of January 2021.

On the day of my appointment I went to the visa center ( visametric) at kryshatric street in Kiev.. as they told me on the phone..that there won't be any interview for the visa....It was only me that came for the submission that day..They just checked my documents and confirmed it was ok..I paid my vfs fee, visa fee and thumprinted.

Exactly a month after I received a call from the visametric that my documents has been returned from German Embassy and will be delivered the next day...my BP was on the high side as I wasn't aware of the content but I was very hopeful...when the parcel was returned the visa was stamped to the Glory of God. I was given a 6 months visa as against thier normal 3 months because of corona.

I arrived Germany two weeks ago... Germany is beautiful... Germany is powerful...I have been to Ukraine but seriously u can't compare the two..I just moved into my apartment in Nuremberg city and in the process of my residence permit at the moment.

THE GERMAN DREAM WORTH IT..... PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP..

richy16:


Yes I know..moving to twitter also we help our voice

richy16:
Good day,

Can we please create a twitter account that will depict our movement, we should tag and tweet about our grievances everyone who is interested should follow the page,retweet and keep tagging the authorities .

My cents

wright005:



I have to really commend the bold voices for coming out because what is being done to us Cat B folks at the moment is wrong. There's nothing normal about it. I know our collective reputation as a nation may not be the best at the moment but students should be given a chance to do an interview at least. Someone who took the stress of applying and paying the various fees should be committed enough to his studies. Not everyone fancies that stress.

This is really not the time to chase just your individual interests. That's part of what spoilt our reputation as a nation. If we lend our voices as a unit, we'll be louder and have a better chance of being heard.

Please, can I get a link to the Facebook post or something?

authe911:
I will just like to put it out there for anyone thinking we do not have a reason to be worried about this whole interview issue.

First off, I will like you to know that other West African countries have the luxury to can choose desired interview dates. You can check the link below to verify.

German Embassy Ghana (CAT A & CAT B)
https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/choose_category.do?locationCode=accr&realmId=279&categoryId=452

German Embassy Benin Republic (No Category)
https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/choose_category.do?locationCode=coto&realmId=552&categoryId=882

German Embassy Togo (No Category)
https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/choose_category.do?locationCode=lome&realmId=796&categoryId=1464

Germany Embassy Cameroun (No Category)
https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/choose_realmList.do?request_locale=de&locationCode=jaun

Again, if we say it was because of covid, please tell me why some of my coursemates from China, Turkey, the US, India, Ghana e.t.c are on campus!!
Plus, the covid case in Nigeria is not as terrible as it is in some European countries.

Now let's go to the mathematics of the block account, as we all know, we have some people who have already blocked 10,000EUR into their accounts. If I can assume, maybe 200 people in Nigeria have already blocked their accounts. That is 10,000* 200 =2,000,000EUR (N1,130,000,000)
Yes, over a billion naira and that is just an approximate in the German economy.

If we wouldn't want to deceive ourselves, most enrolled students in Nigeria can not put in their 100% with the hybrid studies. So many uncertainties, how do you study efficiently??

Like what happens after semesters online, you don't get a visa? What next?

There is absolutely nothing wrong to involve the Nigerian Government in this situation.

My Take!

Punkydude:


Guys, lets be realistic. Have you researched the effect of Covid on European economies? I think it will be selfish of us to think that our student visa should be their top priority. Just yesterday, France entered another lockdown, a new mutant is killing them in hundreds and we think that they will open their borders because Nigerians are coming. Abeg lets receive sense. Come to think of it, which schools in Europe are open? Or you think you will attend lectures in person when you arrive? My people 90% of courses are taught online in Europe as we speak, so when you enter those countries you will sit at home and god-help-you, there is no menial job for you to fend for yourself and you will just be indoors and watch courses online, is it better than what we have here? Australia shut their borders for over a year now, i know of a lady that came back Feb 2020 for her trad and have not gone back since, no body is allowing any body. I searched for a software intern position in UK(on LinkedIn) and lo and behold 250+ applicants. It will be so stupid of me to think that the job is waiting for me when i come. And since there is lockdown, the menials jobs self no dey. the best jobs now are delivery managers and it was dues to Covid. This Covid turned Europe upside down.

Germany almost entered a lockdown before Easter and with this new variant in France and Italy in partial lockdown, they might soon enter another one, like seriously, a country in lockdown will open their consulate and grant you visa? As far as am concerned, this year is not even the best time to travel cuz you will suffer small if you dont have enough money and/or sponsors. You will just be at home, morning till night.

The vaccine is really helping them, but since the production is slow, it will be a gradual process until everything becomes normal, and to be honest, it will take Europe almost 5 years to return to full normalcy.

My advise for anyone will be to get that Admission (this one is more importanter) and then defer it, wait and watch as things unfold and then apply for your visa, you can apply for your visa immediately but no too carry am for head. If you are lucky to start it online, do it with joy cuz my brother, you will go to Germany and do the same. (this time around with bills every month)

The only valid point you raised is that they should be straight forward with their visa and state clearly what we should know.

My two cents.....

Nzealibaba:
please people that booked yesterday ,are you still booking against summer or towards october for winter.
i mailed my school informing them about the visa cancellation , they told me anytime i get visa i should come if i don't meet up summer i can join winter. they asked me to choose one so they know which fees i would pay, As it stands i don't even know if I would get appointment in winter.
I am just confused.

No matter the case, Please read this:
the actions of the embassy has been extremely unprofessional, and has lasted now for 3 consecutive academic sessions and we are gradually getting used to it. e.g some have already rebooked appointment without asking if things would be different.

So picture this scenario:
A student maps out his time usually months(30 days +) applying to different schools up-to 3, 4, or more, writing and editing several applications, motivation letters, answering questions like reason why they choose their course and the school,
sending mails with courier at almost 30,000naira(DHL which i use often) per mail, pay uniassist 75euro(25,000 depending on fluctuating exchange rate) per application.
pay school for application and at times enrollment fees(e.g TUM ).
and finally excel above other international competing students and gain admission.
we make it look easy, but it is not, some of us are self sponsoring with excellent determination
and the embassy would not give a tangible reason why they don't want to meet with this student for an interview after this hurdle.
Last year summer and winter was exactly the same , you can read the post on Nairaland and confirm, people are still registering again without questioning the outcome.

Nigerian students we no longer have to blame the bad government as it has never been a viable solution. Can we try something different.
Can we extend our voices by reaching out to government offices( Dont say they won't do anything yet , lets do our part first) in a not so stressful manner(through e-mail) , while being polite (make it a plea) and keeping it loud(By lending our voices individually, you and I, not for the outspoken ones) , let our voices be heard. Enough of complaining about bad government or bad students abroad. and start acting positively.

I have a clue:
1.
We need to let the embassy know that we need a bit of transparency, let them give us informations we can work with, not blindly applying without
a yes or No wether we would be getting an appointment. example :
"summer applications are limited try winter,",
"If you do not have a scholarship letter or a first class do not apply",
"if you do not meet a particular criteria do not apply",
"Due to corona we are taking this fixed number of Nigerians, and if the figures exceed
they should inform the students on time so we try other countries".
Schools in Germany apply this method and it works, it helps scale them number of applicant,
making the screening process less stressful.
honestly , I don't know any tangible reason why i was not granted appointment for summer,
at this point I am going to repeat the exact steps I took again which obviously didn't work.

2.
If they receive huge number of applications, then will we would like to know
if it would be possible to opt for third party institutions , Indians do it, they use VFS global
and it has made them travel around Europe with ease, if their is any set of Nigerians who should
be denied migration as a result too much immigration , it should not be students .
Education in Africa should be given priority.

3.
April and October being an already established date for school resumption, the embassy
if being handled by a competent and innovative head, should opt for temporary expansion of
workforce during these peak periods. The embassy should anticipate before hand the huge influx of
students and make adjustment towards expanding their workforce .students already pay visa fee up to 30,000naira
hopefully it should cater for the extra aid they would need.

4.
I believe if a student having spent his time and limited funds going through the long application process,
and the school accepts, after placing him/her higher than other international competing students , the embassy
should hear him/her out (Interview). and decide if he/she meets the criteria for studying in Germany.
Now, their is a big difference between denying visa and not being invited for interview.
One being denial of student visa after interview is an indication that the student do not meet the required criteria for
traveling which is generally acceptable while the later, that is not being invited for an appointment is a case of the embassy
not capable of handling student interview and should take quick actions towards it, to help these
excellent students achieve their long planned goals.

Please if we can in unanimously , work towards moving this motion as a plea to the right offices, hopefully something would be done to that effect.
just have in mind that after summer last year were denied visa appointment , winter was also denied . so lets do something to this effect so things wont go wrong again this year.

drop emails of embassy and government office who might help to this effect.

thanks.

daambassador:



What if we channel this plea to Madam Abike diaspora office which I know she will be proactive about it, though we might still involve Mr, Geoffrey Onyeama of foreign affairs...

Rennyunit:
Has anyone been able to book an appointment date?
It seems they are reverting to the normal method of picking an actual appointment date.

authe911:
Gurus in the house Good Morning.

Please does this mean we ALL should not schedule our start date this semester again?

So Technically, there are saying we are booking for Winter Semester 2021.

richieboy1994:
Please I just got an admission in Darmstadt for winter. How can someone book an appointment date??
Please help ooo. Please guys look at this screenshot that I have uploaded? Am I correct? Is it just to fill in my details and submit?? Please someone should guide me

authe911:
Meaning?

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to the very high demand the consulate apologizes for not being able to offer more appointments for student visa applications for the summer semester 2021 as we are fully booked out.

https://nigeria.diplo.de/ng-en/service/visa/student-research-and-language-course-visa/1015536

temmy59:
Hello please I have 3 questions to ask. Would really appreciate if it get answered.

1. How much is the blocked fund now. In dollars

2. Where can I get someone to help me with writing personal statement .

3. What are the application period for schools

MartOkoh1:



Guy don't say what u dont know pls..just say u don't know.

richy16:
Good day,

I have my interview soon, someone told me I can block my account using fintiba direct transfer with my master card,I checked fintiba and confirmed it possible but haven't tried it,I don't know if anyone here has done it,please your advice will go a long way.

God bless
You can send me a mail.. riscoky@gmail.com