How to apply for a Germany visa and FAQ's about Germany visas: Every year, Germany welcomes a sizable number of tourists as well as a sizable number of long-term residents. The majority of people must, however, possess a current visa in order to enter the country.
2019 saw the issuance of 324.636 long-term visas and 1.959.401 short-term visas to foreign nationals by German embassies and consulates.
Does Anyone Need a Visa for Germany?
If you are a citizen of one of the 62 countries that do not require a visa to enter Germany, you do not need one if you are visiting for tourism. A German tourist visa entitles its holder to a maximum of 90 days of stay within a 180-day span in Germany. During the duration of the visa's validity, holders are allowed to visit Germany and the other 25 Schengen countries.
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Types of German visas
The German Immigration Authorities have established several different visa types due to the various reasons someone might want to enter Germany.
You can apply for the following types of German visas:
- To transit through a German airport, you need a visa for Germany airport transit.
- Visits to family and friends, travel, medical treatment, official, cultural, or sporting events are all permitted with a Schengen visa for Germany.
- For meetings and other business-related events, a Germany business visa is required.
- For those who are considering attending school in Germany or who have already been accepted, a Germany student visa is required.
- Prior to being fully admitted to a university, applicants for a Germany Language Course Visa may be required to take a language course.
- Students who wish to take part in a training program or internship in Germany for a period longer than 90 days must obtain a Germany Student Internship Visa.
- Germany A researcher visa is required for foreign academics and researchers who will attend a scientific conference in Germany.
- People who have a job offer in Germany and can work on a paid job may be eligible for a Germany employment visa.
- Germany Job Seeker Visa for individuals looking for rewarding employment opportunities in Germany who do not yet have a job offer.
- Foreign freelancers from a variety of fields can enter Germany with a freelancer visa and work there.
- In particular, spouses and children of those who have already settled in Germany are eligible for a Germany Family Reunion Visa.
- Medical treatment visas are required for every foreigner with health issues who wants to receive treatment in Germany.
What Do I Need to Do if I Need to Stay in Germany for More Than 90 Days?
If you are not a citizen of one of the aforementioned nations and plan to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you should apply for one of the German long stay visas. Unlike short stay visas, which are issued for stays under 90 days, long stay visas for Germany are granted for longer stays and for entirely different travel purposes. Only those who are citizens of the following countries do not require a long-stay visa for Germany:
- EU/EEA/EFTA Countries
- Australia
- Israel
- Japan
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The Republic of South Korea
- United States of America
When you arrive in Germany, you must obtain a German residence permit if your visa is approved.
Depending on why the visa was issued, the following types of German residency permits are available:
- Germany Student Residence Permit - given to a student who enrolls in a university or training program and is valid for the duration of the course.
- German Employment Residence Permit – given to individuals who actively seek employment while on a Job Seeker visa and receive a job offer in Germany.
- Family members of German residents may be granted a German Family Reunion Residence Permit in order to reunite their families.
- Germany EU Blue Card: A residence permit for highly skilled workers who wish to work in Germany in their field of specialization.
- For these individuals who wish to reside in Germany from another EU countries an EU Residence Permit is issued.
- Those who have fled a situation in their home country are granted a Germany Humanitarian Residence Permit.
- issued a permanent residence permit in order to relocate to Germany
In addition, see: German retirement visa options
How do I obtain a visa for Germany?
In order to apply for a German visa, you must first locate the closest German mission in your nation. After that, you can take the following actions:
- Complete the online visa application.
- Get the necessary paperwork ready.
- Schedule a time for the embassy or consulate interview.
- Show up for the visa interview.
- Give us your fingerprints.
- The visa application fee must be paid.
- Trip to Germany
Remember that since each local German mission has its own procedures, the application procedure for a German visa may vary depending on the country from which you submit your application.
Where Can I Get a Visa for Germany?
You must apply for a short-stay Germany visa at a German embassy in your home country or one that is close by. However, if you want to apply for a long-stay visa, you must do so at two different places:
- A German expedition. You must still apply for your entry visa (national D visa) at a German embassy or consulate in your home nation to be allowed to enter Germany.
- The Foreigner's Office. To obtain your residence permit after entering Germany, you must register at the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigner's Office).
How Will I Know If My Application Is Rejected?
You will be informed of the reason for the German embassy's rejection of your visa application. You can always appeal this decision by submitting an appeal letter for visa denial if you believe it to be unfair.
The nine most frequent causes of Germany visa denial are detailed here.
How long does it take to obtain a German visa?
Your Germany visa application will be processed in up to 15 business days. The processing of your application could take several months if you are requesting a long-term visa.
However, keep in mind that the length of time it takes to process your visa application depends on a number of variables, including the staff members on hand at the visa office, the time of year you apply for the visa (off-season or in-season), and whether you submit a fully completed application or not.
What Is the Price of a Germany Visa?
For the primary applicant, a short-stay visa for Germany costs €80. The costs, however, vary depending on the type of German visa you're requesting and your age. For instance, a child under the age of six can apply for a visa for free, while a child between the ages of six and twelve can do so for just €40.
Typically, you must pay the fee after your interview; however, depending on your country of residence, you may be able to do so when completing the online visa application.
It's critical to keep in mind that the Germany visa fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether your application is granted. Additionally, please be aware that the majority of German embassies abroad do not accept payments made with digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay; rather, you must pay with cash or a credit card in most cases (you must be the cardholder).
How long can a visitor with a visa stay in Germany?
Depending on the type of visa you applied for, your german visa's validity may vary:
- Validity of Visa Type
- 24 hour transit visa for airports in Germany
- 90 days in a 180-day period require a German Schengen (tourist) visa.
- 90 days of a 180-day Germany business visa
In the event that you haven't yet received a formal admission, a 3-month visa for students from Germany is required.
Deutschland Student visa
- Beyond three months (depends on your study program)
Visa for Work in Germany
- 60 days
German Visa for Scientist Guests and Research
- between three and six months (may last longer depending on the research)
- 3 month entry visa for freelancers in Germany
- Long-Stay Freelancer Visa for Germany for up to three years
- Three-month visa for language study in Germany
- 1–3-year Germany Temporary Work Permit (depends on the contract)
- 1 year visa for family reunion in Germany (initially)
- four-year EU Blue Card for Germany (with possible extension)
Please be aware that your initial entry visa (D visa), which you will need to apply for a long-stay visa in Germany, is only good for three to six months. Depending on your visa type, you can receive a temporary permit for one year to three years after entering the country. Then you can look into options for a visa for permanent residence.
You must calculate your stay to avoid overstaying consequences because Germany follows the 90/180 rule for brief stays. You can use the 90/180 rule calculator found here
Germany Extended Visa
If you have very good reasons, such as the following, you can extend your visa to Germany:
greater force. An earthquake, a storm, or the inability to enter your own country are all examples of events that are beyond your control.
for private reasons. Personal factors include unexpectedly pressing business or matters pertaining to one's family.
Humanitarian motives The sudden illness of you or a member of your family is an example of a humanitarian reason.
late entry You didn't use the entire duration of your visa because you arrived in Germany after it had already been issued.
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How Do I Extend a Visa to Germany?
You must apply for a visa extension at the Berlin Ausländerbehörde on Keplerstr in order to extend your stay in Germany. The following paperwork is required for the application process:
- your passport is current.
- A legitimate visa.
- Extension of visa for Germany.
- income documentation.
- insurance for health.
any additional papers that are relevant to your visa category.
Please be aware that you must schedule a meeting via email with the Foreigner's Office before receiving your extension. If your request for a visa extension is granted, it will happen that day.
Do I Have to Pay to Extend My Visa to Germany?
If your extension was due to a personal circumstance or a delayed entry, you must pay €30 for the extension of your Germany visa. However, you are exempt from paying a visa extension fee if you have compelling humanitarian or unavoidable circumstances.
The cost for a second extension is €60 for adults and €30 for minors, so keep that in mind.
A German visa may be revoked.
In the event that the terms under which it was issued no longer apply, your Germany visa may be revoked. If any of the following occurs, your Germany visa may also be revoked:
When you applied for the visa, you gave false information.
You are viewed as a threat to Germany and its ideals because you committed a crime.
A new German visa application is always possible. However, since your visa was previously revoked due to false information or a crime you committed, getting another German visa might be more difficult.