Schengen visa applications outsourced to TLS Contact
The German Embassy in Windhoek has announced changes to the way Schengen visa applications are handled, aimed at reducing waiting times and improving service delivery for Namibian residents travelling to Europe.From Monday, 19 January 2026, all Schengen visa applications will be processed exclusively through TLS Contact, the Federal Foreign Office’s regional service provider. TLS Contact already operates in several African countries and will handle applications for travel to Germany as well as Belgium, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and Switzerland, which are represented by the German Embassy in Windhoek.
Under the new system, applicants will submit their visa forms and supporting documents at the TLS Contact German Visa Application Centre, located at Maerua Mall in the Regus Office Tower. The centre is centrally situated and accessible to persons with physical challenges.
Biometric data collection and passport return will also take place at this facility.
The embassy said the outsourcing arrangement is expected to make the application process faster and more convenient, with easier and quicker appointment bookings. However, the final decision on whether a visa is issued will remain the sole responsibility of the German Embassy in Windhoek.
Appointments for Schengen visa applications can be booked only through the TLS Contact website. The TLS Contact German Visa Application Centre will begin operations on 19 January 2026 and will be open from Monday to Friday, between 08:30 and 15:30.
Applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable service fee of €24.51 (approximately N$500), in addition to the standard visa fee, which remains unchanged. Payments at the centre are card-only, with no cash accepted.
The embassy said that procedures for national visas, namely for stays in Germany exceeding 90 days, including for study, work or family reunification, will not change. Applications for national visas can still be submitted via the German Embassy’s website or through the Consular Services Portal.
Further details are available on the German Embassy Windhoek’s official website and social media platforms.
