German spouse visa refused: what can I do next?
Short answer
The German Missions in Nigeria say you can appeal a refused spouse visa within one month by filing an action at the Administrative Court in Berlin. They also say you can reapply with complete documents and a new appointment. This is what their Lagos page says. It is the only official source we found for the one-month rule.
On this page
What do you receive when a visa is refused?
The German Missions in Nigeria say a notification will be sent to you if your visa is refused. It states that the application was unsuccessful, gives the grounds on which it was rejected, and tells you about your right to appeal the decision.
Sources for this part1
Can you appeal, and how long do you have?
The German Missions in Nigeria say you may appeal within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin. They add that this procedure is subject to a fee. Their page gives no amount and does not say what the court procedure involves.
That is the Nigeria missions' page. We did not find the same rule on the Accra embassy's family reunion page, so we do not state it for Accra.
Sources for this part1
Can you apply again instead?
The German Missions in Nigeria say you can also reapply with complete documents and a new appointment.
Sources for this part1
Do you get the visa fee back?
The German Missions in Nigeria say the processing fee is not refundable in case of visa rejection.
Sources for this part1
What happens if a document is forged or false?
The two missions do not say the same thing, so read them separately.
Lagos: the consulate says any application submitted with forged documents, or documents containing false information, will be immediately and automatically rejected. You will be entered into a warning database, which will also negatively affect any later visa application. You will also be issued a Schengen-wide entry ban.
Accra: the embassy says applications with forged documents, or documents with false content (for example, forged birth certificates), will be automatically and immediately denied. You will be entered in a warning system, which will also affect a later reapplication.
Reading the answer is the easy part. Say it out loud.
The officer will ask about this. Answer in your own words, then read what your answer missed. Your first practice interview is free.
Practise saying it out loudPeople also ask
How long do I have to appeal a German spouse visa refusal?
The German Missions in Nigeria say one month, by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin, and that the procedure is subject to a fee. The missions say the notice gives information on your right to appeal. 1
Can I appeal a refused German spouse visa in Ghana (Accra)?
We did not find the one-month appeal rule on the Accra embassy's family reunion page, so we do not state it for Accra. The German Missions in Nigeria say the court procedure is subject to a fee but give no amount, and we have no official figure. 12
Can I reapply after a refusal?
The German Missions in Nigeria say you can reapply with complete documents and a new appointment. 1
Is the visa fee refunded if my application is refused?
The German Missions in Nigeria say the processing fee is not refundable in case of visa rejection. 1
Sources
- 1National visa for long term staysOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 31 Oct 2026
- 2Family ReunionOfficialGerman Embassy Accra · checked 31 Oct 2026
Official is the embassy or a German government page. Applicant reports are what applicants say happened at their appointment. Secondary is everything else we checked.
General information, not legal advice. VisaRoom isn't connected to any embassy or government, and only the embassy decides on your visa. Something out of date? Tell us.