Visa to Germany

A Germany's visa is a document that allows its holder to enter Germany and reside for some time in the country.

Germany has the following 12 types of visa:

  • Airport transit visa
  • Tourist or Visitor visa
  • Business visa
  • Student visa
  • Researcher visa
  • Employment visa
  • Job Seeker visa
  • Freelancer visa
  • Student internship visa
  • Family reunification visa
  • Language course visa
  • Medical treatment visa

It must be noted that some of these visa sub-types can be included into a broader category, and they are different in the sense that they require different documents to apply for.

Fees

Depending on your chosen visa type, the processing fees may range from 35 to 75 EUR. Please not that this may be subject to change due to individual circumstances.

Time frames

In most cases it takes from 10 to 15 to process a visa application. Please, keep in mind that any these time estimates may change drastically, depending on your chosen visa time and various special cases, e.g. when the visa issuing authority must ask for additional documents.

Documents needed

When applying for a visa to Germany, in most cases you will need the following documents, depending on the type or sub-type of visa:

  • Any visa
    • visa application form
    • 2 passport-format photos of the applicant
    • valid passport valid for at least 6 month before the tenry date
    • travel health insurance
    • proof of sufficient finances for sustenance
    • proof of accommodation, e.g. a hotel
  • Any visa for minors
    • birth certificate
    • a letter from the parents or legal guardians proving their consent for the minor to travel
    • if travelling with one parent or legal guardian, then the written consent of the other still required
    • ID/passport of both parents or legal guardians
  • Transit visa
    • proof of the intention and ability to travel further, e.g. a valid plane ticket
    • plan of the journey and activities in the country
  • Business visa
    • invitation letter from the respective business partner or the host of the business event, with the dates and the purpose of the travel
    • informational letter from the applicant's company with the travel plan, its intended duration, as well as the applicant's position
    • business license of the sending company
  • Tourist visa for the purposes of visiting a person
    • letter of invitation by the host in the country
    • identity documents of the host
    • Formal Obligation Declaration - a document stating that the host is responsible for the accommodation
  • Visitor visa
    • No Objection letter from the applicant's employer or educational institution
    • proof of intended entry and return
  • Cultural visa
    • letter from the respective cultural organisation of the applicant's county
    • letter from the respective cultural association of the hosting country
  • Medical treatment
    • letter from the applicant's medical institution with the treatment confirmation
    • document with treatment confirmation from the hosting medical institution
    • proof of payment for the treatment
    • proof that the applicant is able to cover any additional medical expenses that may arise
    • proof of correspondence between the applicant's and the hosting medical institutions

Photo requirements

The photo you submit with the application documents must meet certain criteria:

  • recently and professionally taken
  • 3,5 cm х 4,5 cm in size
  • taken in color
  • has a light background
  • facing forward
  • facial features clearly visible (i.e. nothing covers the face)
  • no tinted eyeglasses or decorational headwear
  • neutral facial expression
  • unifrom lighting
  • no ink or other marks
  • no editing

Germany's visa and Schengen area

Instead of Germany's visa, you can enter the country with a Schengen visa. You can use Germany's visa to enter the Schengen area.

Immigration to EU

If you wish to immigrate to Germany or a EU country in general, you will most likely need a visa to enter the country for preliminary arrangements before you can actually receive a residence permit. Contact us to see which visa you would need, as well as check out our EU residency solutions.