German Consulate Halts Visa Services In Karachi For Non EU Citizens

Publish Date: 29, Jul 2025
Published BY: Admin
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In a significant development affecting thousands of Pakistani travelers, the German Consulate General in Karachi has suspended all visa services for non-European Union (EU) citizens until further notice. The announcement was made public via an official statement on X (formerly Twitter) and has since been confirmed through the consulate’s website.

This sudden suspension has left many students, tourists, and professionals in limbo, particularly those who had already secured appointments for Schengen visa applications.

Official Announcement from the German Consulate

On Monday, July 29, 2025, the German Consulate posted:

"All confirmed visa appointments for non-EU citizens are cancelled and will not be rescheduled. Visa services for this group are suspended until further notice. Applicants will need to register again once appointments reopen."

The notice makes it clear that no rescheduling will be offered, and applicants must keep a close watch on the official portal to re-register once services resume.

A similar notification has been uploaded to the German Consulate's official website, indicating this is a policy change with immediate effect.

Who Is Affected

This policy impacts:

  • Pakistani nationals applying for German Schengen visas

  • Non-EU residents in Pakistan with prior bookings at the Karachi consulate

  • Students heading to Germany for academic programs

  • Business travelers and professionals attending events or conferences

  • Tourists with pre-planned itineraries

All applicants who fall into these categories now face cancellation, regardless of the purpose of travel or previously confirmed appointment dates.

What You Should Do Now

If you are among the affected individuals:

  1. Do not visit the consulate. Services are entirely halted.

  2. Monitor the consulate's official website and social media channels for reopening announcements.

  3. Re-register for appointments through the official booking portal when the service resumes.

  4. Do not trust third-party agents or unofficial resellers claiming they can secure a slot.

DropVisa.pk recommends subscribing to our Visa Alert Newsletter to receive real-time updates and assistance for future rebooking.

No Similar Notice from German Embassy Islamabad

As of the time of publishing, the German Embassy in Islamabad has not issued a similar announcement. There is currently no official suspension of visa services at the Islamabad embassy. However, travelers are advised to verify before planning visits, as policies may evolve.

DropVisa.pk is actively monitoring the embassy's announcements and will update this article as new information becomes available.

Other Recent Visa Updates You Should Know

Sweden Resumes Schengen Visa Services in Pakistan

In a more positive development, Sweden resumed its Schengen visa services in Islamabad following successful Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and Sweden on July 2, 2025.

Effective from July 7, 2025, Pakistani nationals can apply for short-term visas (up to 90 days) for tourism, business, or family visits.

The resumption signals growing cooperation and improved diplomatic relations between the two nations.

United States Tightens Visa Screening for Pakistani Applicants

In contrast, the U.S. Consulates in Karachi and Lahore recently implemented stricter screening protocols. Applicants for F, M, or J visas must now make their social media profiles public for vetting purposes. This follows the same directive issued by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi earlier in the month.

These new rules affect Pakistani students and exchange visitors applying for American educational or cultural programs.

Why the German Visa Suspension Matters

Germany is one of the most sought-after destinations for:

  • Higher education (especially STEM fields)

  • Schengen-area tourism

  • Business and trade expos

  • Job-seeking and family reunification

The suspension of visa services from Karachi limits access to these opportunities and raises concerns among visa applicants.

✈️ Did You Know? Karachi handles a large share of Schengen visa applications in southern Pakistan, and this suspension may place additional pressure on the Islamabad embassy, if it remains open.

Summary Table German Consulate Visa Suspension

Detail Information
Affected Office German Consulate General, Karachi
Affected Applicants All Non-EU Citizens
Appointment Status Cancelled (No Rebooking)
Action Required Re-register when system reopens
Effective Date July 29, 2025
Islamabad Embassy Status No suspension as of now

Travel Advisory from Drop Visa

DropVisa strongly advises travelers to:

  • Avoid last-minute planning until visa services normalize

  • Keep all application documentation updated

  • Use authorized and reputable channels for visa applications

  • Subscribe to updates via DropVisa.pk to avoid missing critical policy changes

Key Notes

The temporary suspension of German visa services for non-EU citizens from the Karachi consulate reflects the volatile nature of international travel and diplomatic services in 2025. Whether due to internal capacity constraints or policy updates, travelers must remain informed and flexible.

While the inconvenience is real, transparency in communication from the consulate and the opportunity to rebook in the future is a silver lining.

Drop Visa remains committed to helping applicants navigate changing visa landscapes with accurate information, personalized assistance, and expert support.

For personalized visa help or updates, contact:

Stay informed. Stay connected. Travel with confidence - only with Drop Visa

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