(TEHRAN, IRAN) The German Embassy in Tehran says it will restart taking new Schengen visa applications from January 7, 2026, ending a months-long pause that left many Iranians unable to book short-stay travel appointments for Germany and other Schengen countries. In a notice posted on the embassy’s Instagram account on December 14, 2025, the mission said its contractor TLScontact would open a new waiting list within 48 hours, letting people register for future appointment slots.
The embassy warned that its overall capacity is still limited after disruptions in 2025, so queues may remain long even after the reopening. Families and students are watching the calendar closely. Applicants who already hold tickets or invites say the date offers hope, but many fear more last-minute cancellations.
How the restart will work
According to the Instagram notice, TLScontact will handle the first step: collecting registrations and scheduling interviews for the embassy.
- People with existing TLScontact accounts are supposed to receive an automatic email explaining how to join the waiting list.
- New users can create an account and then register once the list opens.
- The embassy did not publish a quota for how many appointments it expects to release initially, and it urged applicants to keep checking official channels for updates.
Important: The embassy’s Instagram post is the first clear date it has given for restarting Schengen intake, and it sets expectations for travel in 2026.
Why this matters
Short-stay Schengen visas cover business trips, tourism, and family visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. For many Iranians, even small increases in available slots can change travel plans for whole extended families. VisaVerge.com reports that modest gains in appointments can have outsized impacts on travel arrangements.
Background — disruptions in 2025
The embassy’s move follows a sharp drop in service during 2025:
- In June 2025, the Iran–Israel conflict, described locally as a “12-day war,” forced a temporary shutdown and the cancellation of many visa appointments.
- The embassy later said operations remained limited because of the events and the strain on staff and technical systems.
- Iranians seeking Germany visas for work, study, or reunification described weeks of uncertainty as files sat in limbo. Some missed university start dates or lost time-sensitive job offers.
Even before the June conflict, pressure on the system grew:
- Monthly appointment slots reportedly fell from about 1,200 to only a few dozen after a July 2025 switch to a new service provider.
- Anti-government protests and repeated airport closures also complicated travel planning.
- Appointments that remained available were often reserved for family reunification and humanitarian cases, pushing other categories, like skilled workers, to the back.
To rebuild capacity, the embassy has outsourced front-end intake to TLScontact and moved parts of case handling to Germany’s Federal Office for Foreign Affairs. Applicants say those shifts have opened slots for student and doctor cases, but the backlog remains large.
Backlog and social response
Reports from applicants and community organizers describe:
- More than 6,000 delayed cases, including 4,000 family reunification files.
- Many people have waited so long that paperwork, police certificates, or medical checks expired and had to be redone.
- Weekly protests have taken place outside the embassy and near TLScontact centers, with crowds calling for clear timelines and more staff.
The embassy acknowledges demand far above supply but says operations remain limited. Some applicants are considering applying through other European embassies, though rules vary and appointments are scarce across Tehran. Lawyers warn that switching posts can raise costs and may not fit residence rules.
Practical steps applicants must expect
The first practical test will be whether the promised waiting list appears on time. Once TLScontact opens registration, applicants typically must complete Germany’s online Schengen application in VIDEX and print it for the appointment; the official form portal is VIDEX.
Required documents generally include:
- Passport
- Photos
- Travel plan
- Proof of funds
- Proof of accommodation (where they will stay)
- Travel medical insurance
- Extra papers depending on the trip (e.g., invitation letters, university letters)
At the appointment:
- Applicants give fingerprints.
- Applicants pay the Schengen fee set under EU rules.
- Embassy staff decide each case — a slot on the waiting list is not a visa.
The Federal Foreign Office’s general visa guidance is available at Auswärtiges Amt Visa Services. Applicants are advised to avoid brokers selling “guaranteed” appointments on social media.
Quick checklist before an appointment offer
- Keep bank statements and insurance dates current.
- Make sure police certificates and medical checks are valid.
- Have printed VIDEX application and all supporting documents ready.
- Avoid paying brokers promising guaranteed slots.
Broader effects beyond short stays
Although the restart targets short stays, the pause affected longer-term travelers because many use Schengen trips for initial meetings, exams, or document steps tied to later study and work moves.
- Several students postponed plans after appointments were canceled during the shutdown.
- Iranian doctors seeking professional recognition said earlier capacity gains for their files did not solve family travel needs.
- Mixed-nationality couples reported delays in family reunification, with some children aging out of eligibility while waiting.
Without public interviews from the embassy, applicants have relied on TLScontact email screenshots and informal networks for clues.
Special note on Afghan nationals
The embassy has said Afghan nationals cannot register for appointments in Tehran because of ongoing security issues. The embassy recommends they consider applying through Islamabad instead.
- This rule complicates legal travel routes and adds hurdles for Afghans trying to reach Europe through family links in Germany.
- Aid workers say moving to a third country for an appointment can require additional visas, money, and safe transport.
Outlook and expectations
Diplomats and agents in Tehran say demand reflects both pent-up travel needs and a wider shift: many Iranians see European visas as a way to keep business and academic ties alive while local conditions remain uncertain. Germany remains a top destination for its universities, medical system, and large Iranian diaspora.
- Schengen rules require each short-stay request to show a clear reason to travel and strong proof the visitor will return.
- Agents expect a surge to join the TLScontact list once registrations open.
- They warn clients to keep documents current so a sudden appointment offer does not go to waste.
For now, the embassy’s marker — January 7, 2026 — has become the date many households are counting toward.
The German Embassy in Tehran will reopen Schengen visa intake on January 7, 2026, with TLScontact opening a waiting list within 48 hours. The move follows 2025 service disruptions that left over 6,000 cases delayed, including 4,000 family reunification files. Applicants must register via TLScontact, complete the VIDEX form, and keep documents current. Capacity remains limited, so appointment queues may stay long despite the restart.
