Germany Visa
Germany is one of the most varied and charming countries in the continent. As a destination, it offers a clutch of lovely cities.
As a member state of the Schengen Area, Germany permits the nationals of 62 countries part of the visa-waiver program to enter its territory without the need to obtain a visa first. The countries that fall under the visa-waiver program are as following:
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominica
El Salvador
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao
Macedonia
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
Samoa
San Marino
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Taiwan
Timor Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States of America
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
TYPES OF GERMANY VISA
These are the most frequent Germany visa types:
This visa is for people who wish to enter Germany with the purpose of visiting friends or relatives, or to just sightsee and experience the country and its culture. Read more Germany Tourist Visa
This is a visa for family members of German residents, who wish to join them in Germany.
This visa gives to its holder the opportunity to come to Germany and seek a job. Read more Germany Job sicker
For foreigners who wish to enter the country with the sole purpose of attending a language course or to continue their studies at an educational institution in Germany.
For people who have gotten a job in Germany. Read more Germany Employment Visa
For business people that need to remain in Germany for a period longer than 90 days within 6 months, with the purpose of making business.
This is required for a very limited number of third-world nationals, that need to pass through one of the German airports in their way to their final destination. Read more Germany Airport Transit visa
This visa has been established in order to permit foreigners with different illnesses and medical conditions to enter Germany and seek medical treatment
This type of visa is suitable for people who are planning to participate at a trade fair or exhibition.
For people who are planning to enter Germany, under the purpose of participating at a Cultural, Sports, and Religious event or as part of a Film Crew.
REQUIREMENTS OF GERMANY VISA
The following documents are required for any short term German visa application:
- A Filled and completed application form.
- 2 passport photos
- Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond return date – are required.
- Travel health insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Germany and the entire Schengen area.
- A cover letter stating the purpose of a visit to Germany and itinerary
- Flight Itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Germany
- Proof of Hotel Booking
- Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay.
- Proof of paid visa fee – 60 Euro
Depending on the types of visa, you may be asked to provide some other additional documents during your application process.
- For a tourist visa, you will not be required to have any formal invitation letter of any sort.
- For a student’s visa however, in addition to all the documentation above, you have to hand in the letter of acceptance at the educational institution you are planning to study in, as well as proof of financial sustainability for the time being in Germany (bank blocked account), among others.
- For a business trip, you will have to hand in a formal invitation letter by the parties residing in Germany, fully explaining the nature of your visit.
- For employment in Germany, you have to hand in your employer’s formal letter stating the positing you’ve been accepted for, period of employment, nature of the job, and the exact dates of when you are expected to enter and leave the country.
HOW TO APPLY FOR GERMANY VISA
It is time to begin the application process, once you have determined that you need a visa for Germany. Germany has strict procedures you must follow in order to obtain a visa. Your application should be processed at the embassy or consulate of Germany in your country.
Choose the visa type based on the purpose of your travel and fill in the application form. Collect the required documents for visa application – All documents need to be submitted in two copies.
Schedule an appointment with the German Embassy or Consulate or a visa application center in your country of residence
Attend the interview and submit your visa application and then pay the Visa fee. You will be issued a receipt after paying the fee as a confirmation
Fingerprints are biometric data that are collected from the Embassy and is the final step of your visa application.
After your visa is issued you will be notified about it. Collect your visa on time.
VISA PROCESSING TIME
The processing of short-stay visas to Germany take around ten days to be processed. The application processing usually takes about 2 weeks if you applied for a Schengen visa and a few months for long stay visas.
However, at times when the embassy is processing a lot of visa applications, tourism visas may take a bit longer, since business visas or others are treated with more priority.
GERMANY VISA FEES
Based on the purpose of travel to Germany, candidates will be required to pay the following fees after submitting the application:
- Airport transit visa (ATV) – 60 Euros
- Tourist Schengen Visa – 60 Euros
- Germany Long-term Visa – 75 Euros
- Children up to 17 years old – 35 Euros
- Spouse/children of the EU nationals – Free of charge
Children younger than 6 are free of charge for German visa.
GERMANY VISA VALIDITY
With a Schengen visa you can stay in Germany and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days, but this is a a so called “short-stay” visa which is valid for travelling purposes, not working or studying.
GERMANY VISA APPLICATION FORM
To apply for a visa, applications must complete a Germany visa application form dowloaded from this website then print and sign it before going to the visa application centre.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. My visa has been issued by an embassy from a Schengen state, can I use that to travel to Germany?
Yes, you can use a Schengen visa issued at another country to travel to Germany.
2. How long is a Schengen visa valid for?
With a Schengen visa you can stay in Germany and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days, but this is a a so called “short-stay” visa which is valid for travelling purposes, not working or studying. If you plan to go to Germany to look for a job or have found employment, then you need to apply for a work visa. If you have been accepted to a German university you will need to get a student visa.
3. When can I apply for a visa?
You are free to apply 90 days before the date of your travel for a German visa. It is recommended that you apply 3-6 weeks in advance before you travel to avoid any visa processing delay issues interfere with your travel itinerary.
4. Do I need to get a travel insurance?
Yes, you do. You need to provide proof that you have travel insurance during you travel before applying for any kind of German visa, expect the Airport transit visa.
5. I am planning to apply for a visa at the German Embassy/Consulate. For how long should my passport be valid?
Your passport must be valid for at least three months upon conclusion of your trip.
