Did you know that Germany has been receiving more than 2 million visas annually, making it one of the most travelled and popular destinations in Europe. No matter what you intend to do here, be it visiting its fairytale castles, enrolling in a highly ranked university, or even wanting to take up a promising career, you must start somewhere. And that is by applying to get a Visa. The process can be intimidating and especially when it comes to first-time applicants. Preparation can make this process a whole lot less dramatic.
How-to guide to the application
The procedure entails:
Figure out the kind of Visa
Before you can apply, you should know what type of visa you need, as the requirements differ.
- Schengen Visa (C-type, short stay up to 90 days).
- Tourism, family/friends, business or short medical treatment, or short training courses visits.
- National Visa (D-type, more than 90 days more than 90 days).
- To study (Bachelor, Master, PhD, language courses, more than 90 days).
- To work (in case you have a job or high-skilled profession).
- Family reunion (joining a spouse, parent, or child).
- To conduct research, training or long-term medical treatment.
Gather the documentation that matches the requirements
This is the most important step because your documents are what are taken into consideration when it comes to your application.
General documents (nearly always required):
- Visa application form: You can find this form on the website of the German Embassy/Consulate and then complete it fully.
- Passport: should be at least 6 months after your planned stay and no older than ten years.
- Biometric passport photographs: taken within 6 months.
- Travel insurance: Has to include medical emergency and repatriation of at least 30.000 euros throughout the Schengen region.
- Travel itinerary: Booking or reservation of a flight (not necessarily paid).
- Evidence of accommodation: Hotel reservations, Airbnb reservation or invitation letter in case of family/friends.
- Cover letter: State why you want to travel, the duration and how you will fund it.
Additionally, depending on the type of visa:
- Work visa: work contract, curriculum vitae, academic certificates, and recognition of qualifications by German authorities.
- Family reunion visa: Marriage certificate, birth certificates, and evidence of the residence of the German/EU family member in Germany.
Book an appointment
It is possible to make appointments conventionally on the German embassy/consulate website or with the assistance of third-party services such as VFS Global (in some countries). A reservation should be considered in advance, especially to avoid long queues that may be extended by several weeks or even months, depending on the season. The study and work visa will have to be applied for 3-6 months before the travel date.
Additional service fees may be charged in some cases (applying through VFS or other service providers). The fees are not refundable even in the case that your visa is denied.
Appear at a Visa interview
You should be at least 30 minutes early on the day of your appointment.
Have all of the necessary documents in original copies, as well as at least 2 copies of each document. Biometric data (photo, fingerprints) shall be taken.
You should be prepared to answer questions like:
- Why do you go to Germany?
- How are you going to Flashback to finance your stay?
- Are you planning to come back once you are done with your visit/studies/work?
- Who will accommodate you (in case of a family/friend invitation)?
Visa processing time
Short stay visas (Schengen): Processed within 15 calendar days in the normal case. During the peak seasons, it may take 30 to 45 days.
Long stay visas (National): These are generally visas of 6-12 weeks, but can be longer depending on the background checks and the nature of the visas.
Conclusion
Every step of the process of your appointment to the interview is significant to the result of your application. Germany is a highly popular travel, study and work destination, and its visa procedures are meant to screen out ill-prepared applicants. All it takes is adherence to the rules, telling the truth during the application process, and remaining organised, and you will have a better chance at a smooth approval process.
You can view these posts:
Getting Germany’s passport
Things to know before immigrating to Germany
Frequently Asked Questions on Germany
