The German Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate-General in Erbil have reopened their consular and visa sections, ending a three-month suspension triggered by security concerns after a string of attacks in Iraq this spring. From this week, Iraqi applicants can again submit Schengen and national-visa requests through the online appointment portals, while German citizens regain access to routine consular services.
![German Embassy Reopens Visa Sections in Baghdad and Erbil After Three-Month Closure]()
For anyone needing a one-stop overview of the constantly shifting German entry rules, VisaHQ’s dedicated Germany portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) can help. The service collates up-to-the-minute requirements, automates form completion, and can liaise with courier partners for document submission—features that can save both private applicants and corporate mobility teams precious time while embassy backlogs clear.
The Auswärtiges Amt has published an extensive FAQ clarifying how cancelled appointments will be re-scheduled and warning of longer processing times as staff work through a backlog that built up between March and May. Applicants whose national-visa interviews were cancelled will receive new dates automatically; Schengen applicants must re-register on waiting lists once they go live. The mission also advises that study visas for the summer semester 2026 can no longer be issued and that fresh admission letters for the winter semester will be required. Why it matters: Germany remains the top EU destination for Iraqi skilled-worker, family-reunion and study migrants. According to BAMF data, more than 9,000 Iraqis received German residence permits in 2025. Multinational companies employing Iraqi talent had been forced to divert visa filings to Amman or Ankara during the shutdown, increasing lead times and travel costs. The reopening should stabilise mobility pipelines, although corporates are urged to build in at least eight extra weeks for security vetting. Practical tips for employers and relocation providers: 1. Audit pending applications—cancelled national-visa slots will be reassigned automatically, but only if email addresses are still valid. 2. Warn travellers that biometric enrolment may be shifted to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) or VFS centres at short notice. 3. For time-critical travel (medical or business emergencies) use the newly published emergency hotlines, but note that evidence of urgency is strictly required. The embassy cautions that any renewed deterioration in the security situation could lead to fresh curbs, so HR teams should maintain contingency routing plans through neighbouring countries.
For anyone needing a one-stop overview of the constantly shifting German entry rules, VisaHQ’s dedicated Germany portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) can help. The service collates up-to-the-minute requirements, automates form completion, and can liaise with courier partners for document submission—features that can save both private applicants and corporate mobility teams precious time while embassy backlogs clear.
The Auswärtiges Amt has published an extensive FAQ clarifying how cancelled appointments will be re-scheduled and warning of longer processing times as staff work through a backlog that built up between March and May. Applicants whose national-visa interviews were cancelled will receive new dates automatically; Schengen applicants must re-register on waiting lists once they go live. The mission also advises that study visas for the summer semester 2026 can no longer be issued and that fresh admission letters for the winter semester will be required. Why it matters: Germany remains the top EU destination for Iraqi skilled-worker, family-reunion and study migrants. According to BAMF data, more than 9,000 Iraqis received German residence permits in 2025. Multinational companies employing Iraqi talent had been forced to divert visa filings to Amman or Ankara during the shutdown, increasing lead times and travel costs. The reopening should stabilise mobility pipelines, although corporates are urged to build in at least eight extra weeks for security vetting. Practical tips for employers and relocation providers: 1. Audit pending applications—cancelled national-visa slots will be reassigned automatically, but only if email addresses are still valid. 2. Warn travellers that biometric enrolment may be shifted to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) or VFS centres at short notice. 3. For time-critical travel (medical or business emergencies) use the newly published emergency hotlines, but note that evidence of urgency is strictly required. The embassy cautions that any renewed deterioration in the security situation could lead to fresh curbs, so HR teams should maintain contingency routing plans through neighbouring countries.
