German Embassy in Tehran officially suspends visa issuance

Imagine spending months gathering documents, obtaining translations, and waiting for that one crucial appointment that will reunite your family or secure your professional future in Germany. You access the appointment system's website and find: nothing. No appointments , no one to contact, no hope. What sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare has been a bitter reality since February 14, 2026. The message is clear: The visa section of the German Embassy in Tehran, as well as the external service provider TLScontact, have been closed until further notice . "The visa section of the German Embassy in Tehran is temporarily closed. No new appointments are currently being scheduled," the Federal Foreign Office announced .

The chronology of a crisis foretold

We have been observing developments at the Tehran location with great concern for some time now. What we are witnessing today is not a sudden event, but rather the culmination of a downward spiral that began back in 2025. Since the massive Iran-Israel conflict last year, staff at the visa section have been gradually reduced. While the embassy was already operating at only a fraction of its capacity at that time, operations have now ceased entirely.

The figures speak for themselves: While over 46,000 visas were issued in 2024, this number had already halved by 2025. So far in 2026, only 1,300 visas have been issued. The German Foreign Office justifies this drastic step with a "deplorable human rights situation" and massive security concerns regarding the regime , for which Germany currently serves as an enemy image. However, as understandable as the security situation may be for embassy staff, it is precarious for asylum seekers and applicants on the ground, who now find themselves facing closed doors.

Legal classification: Do you have a claim despite the closure?

From our perspective as a law firm specializing in visa law, the question arises: Does a "temporary closure" release the Federal Republic of Germany from its obligations under the Residence Act (AufenthG)? The answer is: generally, no. The problem in Tehran is currently primarily a practical one: if no applications are accepted, no administrative procedure can begin. Without a procedure, there is no decision, and without a decision, legal recourse appears to be blocked . While the Federal Foreign Office emphasizes that ongoing procedures should be completed "as far as possible," new appointments are simply not being scheduled. This practice of "non-acceptance" is highly questionable from a legal standpoint, as it thwarts effective legal protection.

The law firm's tip: Force the application and sue for it.

In the current situation, we strongly advise our clients against passively waiting for the embassy to reopen, the timing of which is completely uncertain. Our strategic advice is: Submit your visa application in writing – if necessary, by mail directly to the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin or by registered mail if the embassy on-site refuses access. Once the application is officially submitted, the clock starts ticking. Should the authorities fail to decide on the application within three months without a sufficient reason for the delay, you can file an action for failure to act pursuant to Section 75 of the Administrative Court Procedure Act (VwGO). This procedural step transfers the case from the blocked embassy in Tehran to the Administrative Court in Berlin . A court can compel the Federal Republic of Germany to process the application, regardless of staffing shortages on-site.

Between diplomacy and the rule of law

The situation in Iran is undoubtedly complex. The "brutal reaction of the security apparatus," as described by the Foreign Office, and the systematic persecution of regime opponents make it clear that for many people, a visa is currently not a mere formality, but a matter of life and death. However, if communication channels are severely restricted and the embassy is effectively rendered powerless, this must not be to the detriment of those who have a legal right to enter the country . We believe the German government has a duty to create alternative pathways – whether through processing via missions in neighboring countries or through digital application procedures that make a physical visit to Tehran unnecessary.

Conclusion: Take action instead of waiting.

The temporary closure of the visa office in Tehran in February 2026 is a significant change, but no reason to give up. Those entitled to a visa must be able to enforce their right to one, even in times of crisis. Our law firm will support you in circumventing the bureaucratic hurdles created by the closure. Currently, submitting a written application and pursuing legal action is often the only way to break free from the diplomatic stalemate.