By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: The German Consulate General in Karachi suspended visa services for non-European Union citizens Monday, canceling all appointments “until further notice” and leaving Pakistani applicants with no clear path forward.
The unexplained move has disrupted travel plans and sparked speculation about shifting visa policies or logistical snags.
In a terse social media statement, the consulate said, “All confirmed visa appointments for non-EU citizens for an undisclosed time are cancelled and will not be rescheduled.” Applicants must “register again via our appointment system” once services resume, though no reopening date was specified. The shutdown, also noted on the consulate’s website, has frustrated those vying for slots in an already competitive process to work, study, or join family in Germany.
Unlike the Karachi consulate, the German Embassy in Islamabad has not signaled a similar suspension, suggesting a localized issue.
The closure comes as visa policies shift across the region. Earlier this month, Sweden resumed visa services in Islamabad to ease short-term travel for Pakistanis, a contrast to Germany’s halt. Meanwhile, US consulates in Karachi and Lahore last month tightened rules, mandating public social media profiles for F, M, or J visa applicants, mirroring a policy from New Delhi, amid rising security concerns.
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