Remonstration procedure abolished from 1 July 2025

Effective July 1, 2025, the Federal Foreign Office will abolish the so-called remonstration procedure in visa applications worldwide . Anyone who receives a negative or partially negative visa decision—whether for a Schengen visa or a national visa—will no longer be able to file a remonstration with the relevant diplomatic mission abroad as before, but will instead have to take legal action through the Berlin Administrative Court if they wish to challenge the decision.

What was the Remonstration Procedure?

The remonstration procedure was previously a voluntary legal remedy not provided for by law, which the Federal Foreign Office had offered in addition to the statutory legal protection. It was the visa law equivalent of the objection procedure , since the objection procedure was not applicable to decisions made by diplomatic missions abroad (embassies and consulates) as part of the Federal Foreign Office (AA) (see Section 68 Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 No. 1 VwGO ). It enabled applicants to request in writing that the decision be reviewed by the respective diplomatic mission abroad within one month of their visa being rejected – often easier and less expensive than filing a lawsuit. The new regulation eliminates this procedure entirely, so that in future the only possible response to a rejection is to file a lawsuit.

Why was the remonstration procedure abolished?

The decision is based on a pilot project that the Federal Foreign Office has been conducting at numerous German visa offices since June 2023. There, the remonstration procedure was waived on a trial basis, resulting in significant staff capacity being freed up. These additional resources were used to process more visa applications and shorten waiting times. According to the Federal Foreign Office, all applicants should benefit from this increased efficiency. Despite the abolition, appropriate legal protection remains guaranteed, as the legally prescribed legal process remains unaffected. Furthermore, those affected have the opportunity to submit a new visa application at any time – with improved or supplemented documents.

Federal Foreign Office relies on digital procedures

This change is particularly relevant for applicants applying for a national visa for family reunification, studies, training, or skilled work, for example. The digital portal for foreign visas has been available worldwide for all of these purposes since January 1, 2025. Applications can be submitted online there, with clear instructions on the required documentation. Experience to date with digital application processes shows that structured online processes improve the quality of applications and significantly reduce delays due to incomplete documentation. According to the Federal Foreign Office, this should eliminate the need for a remonstration or at least significantly reduce it.

Despite these digital advances, the abolition of the appeal procedure presents many applicants with new challenges. The direct route to the administrative court is generally more complex, expensive, and involves greater effort. Anyone considering filing a lawsuit against a rejected visa decision should therefore seek legal advice early on. It is particularly important to note that the Berlin Administrative Court has exclusive jurisdiction over these lawsuits – regardless of the country in which the original application was filed.

Conclusion Abolition of remonstration procedures

Overall, the new regulations make the path to obtaining a visa legally clearer, but also more challenging. Applicants should prepare more intensively for their first application in the future to avoid rejections as much as possible. In the event of a rejection, the only remaining options are the expensive legal recourse—or submitting a new, improved application. VISAGUARD supports you in this situation by connecting you with qualified immigration law specialists in Berlin. Our partner attorneys will assess your chances of success, assist you in preparing a lawsuit, and competently represent you before the administrative court.