Current News

Due to The Victory Day holiday in Bangladesh, the Embassy in Berlin will be closed on 16 December 2025.

Please note that embassies and consulates are generally closed on official Christmas holidays. We recommend planning your requests in advance.

To keep you well informed, we have compiled an overview of the opening hours of all embassies and consulates nationwide. This table will be updated regularly as we receive additional closure information.

Starting December 15, a new requirement applies to all applicants for visa categories H1-B, H-4, F, M, and J:
Please ensure that the privacy settings of all your social media accounts are set to “public.”
This measure serves the legally required identity and eligibility check by the U.S. authorities.

India E-Visa: Current Information on Processing Times

At present, there are significant delays in the issuance of electronic visas (E-Visas) by the Indian authorities. Please note:

• The current processing time is approximately 10 working days.
• We are unable to influence or expedite applications that are in progress.
• The Indian authorities do not offer an express processing service.

We therefore strongly recommend that you apply for your E-Visa well in advance to ensure your travel plans proceed smoothly and without concern.

The Chinese National Immigration Administration (NIA) announces that, effective November 20, 2025, a digital Arrival Card will be implemented for foreign travelers. Travelers will be able to complete their entry information online in advance through the NIA website.

The digital registration applies to all standard entry points – air, rail, sea, and land borders. Upon entering the required passport and travel information, travelers will receive a QR code to present at the border control.

Travelers who do not complete the entry registration in advance may still do so upon arrival via QR code scan, terminal, or paper form for the time being.

Exempt from this requirement are:

• Transit passengers staying less than 24 hours
• Cruise ship passengers
• Holders of Chinese permanent residence permits

The initiative aims to enable faster, more efficient, and modernized processing at all Chinese border checkpoints.

Business Visum is pleased to assist you with the online registration process.

Effective 1 November 2025, all travelers to Saudi Arabia must obtain an electronic authorization from the Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) when carrying certain controlled medications, including those prescribed for pain management, anxiety, or ADHD.

The Traveler Clearance Permit must be applied for online prior to each entry or exit from the country.

The system outage at the Korea Centers for Disease Control (KCDC) has been resolved, and online registration is now fully operational. The KCDC recommends that travelers generate their Q-Code before departing for South Korea to ensure a smooth entry. Business Visum can now assist you again with creating your Q-Code online.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Berlin has announced that visa-free entry for citizens of 47 countries – including Germany – has been extended until the end of 2026.

Travelers holding a valid ordinary passport can continue to enter China without a visa. Visa-free stays are allowed for business and tourism trips, academic or cultural exchanges, visits, and transit, with a maximum duration of 30 days per entry.

A full list of countries eligible for this convenient travel option can be found here here.

As of now, German citizens as well as nationals of countries with which Brazil has signed a short-stay visa exemption agreement (VIVIS) can provide technical support in Brazil for up to 90 days within 180 days – visa-free. The condition is that the activity is not paid from a Brazilian source.

The regulation specifically includes:

• Assembly and repair of equipment or systems exported to Brazil
• Technology transfer
• Technical consulting

The Embassy of the Republic of Gabon in Berlin has announced that E-Visas are currently unavailable due to technical system issues.

Travelers who require a visa for Gabon must therefore submit their applications through the Embassy in Berlin. It is not yet known when the online E-Visa application service will be available again.