Visa application: current situation

The German embassy in Tehran works in a restricted mode: waitlists, TLScontact, why you should not travel to a neighbouring country on your own, fees and refusals.

Iranian citizens need a national visa (D visa) for every stay longer than 90 days and for any work. Find the right category in the Federal Foreign Office's visa navigator and apply through the Foreign Office portal (study: digital.diplo.de/studium).

What the embassy says about Tehran

• The embassy's visa section and legal and consular department work "in a restricted mode" because of considerable staffing and technical limits. The embassy states that it cannot yet say when regular operation will resume.
• Appointments are offered only in limited numbers through the external provider TLScontact. Each applicant, including minors, must appear in person with biometric data and documents.
• Waitlists: according to the TLScontact news page (15 July 2026, updated September), 15 new waitlists covering all categories have been open since 15 July 2026. Until further notice, appointments are given only for "Legalisations". "Employment: Fast-Track Medical/Care" and "Fast-Track Other" are to follow "in the near future"; for study and family there is no timetable. If you are on the old list you may register again on the new one and will later get a priority appointment. Follow the links on the embassy's page.
• For some national visa categories for Iranian citizens, the embassy or the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs (BfAA) is responsible.
• Send later documents only as a PDF to [email protected] if asked, and never send originals by post unrequested.

Do not travel to a neighbouring country on your own

According to the Federal Government (Bundestag short report hib 435/2026, 27 May 2026), the German embassy in Yerevan is processing applications already submitted by students and employed people. We found no official page that opens Yerevan to new applicants; wait for the embassy's instruction.

Fees

• National visa €75; minors €37.50 (§ 46, § 50 AufenthV), paid at the appointment. TLScontact service fees: not checked.
• Only the embassy and its named provider book appointments. See Avoiding scams.

Waiting times

No reliable processing time can be given. Do not book flights, give notice at work or pay a lease before you hold the visa.

If the visa is refused

• The remonstration (an informal objection to the mission) was abolished on 1 July 2025.
• The remedy is a lawsuit at the Administrative Court of Berlin (Verwaltungsgericht Berlin) within 1 month of service of the decision (§ 74 VwGO); if the decision lacks instructions on legal remedies, within 1 year (§ 58 (2) VwGO).
• Alternatively you can apply again with a better file. For a lawsuit, see a lawyer for migration law.

Employers can speed things up with the fast-track procedure, see Skilled worker.