What is Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal)?
Quick definition
The German government's online platform at digital.diplo.de where visa applicants submit their national visa application, upload documents, and communicate with the embassy before their in-person appointment.
How it works
The Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal) is the Federal Foreign Office's digital platform for national visa applications. Since January 2025, all 167 German embassies and consulates worldwide process visa applications through this portal. Applicants create an account at digital.diplo.de, complete the application form online, and upload required documents — passport scans, employment contracts, proof of qualifications, and more. The embassy reviews the submission digitally and can request missing documents through the portal before the in-person appointment. The appointment itself is still required for identity verification, checking original documents, and collecting biometric data (fingerprints and photo), but it is significantly shorter because the paperwork is already processed. The portal covers 28 categories of national visas including the EU Blue Card, skilled worker visa, Chancenkarte, family reunification, and study visas. It was piloted in December 2022 at three locations (Belgrade, Kolkata, Sao Paulo) for Blue Card applications, expanded to employment visas in October 2024, and went fully live worldwide on 1 January 2025.
Why it matters
For HR teams and relocation managers, the Consular Services Portal changes the visa timeline. Document preparation and upload can happen before the embassy appointment, which means the in-person visit is faster and processing times are reduced. Employers should ensure candidates create their portal account and upload complete documents as early as possible — incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays. relokate prepares all portal submissions as part of every visa case.
Related terms
Country guides
Learn how this applies to specific nationalities.
