Visa Process for Germany – All you need to know!

Travelling to Germany has never been more coordinated or stress-free, regardless of the reason for visiting. Citizens of Schengen member states can travel visa-free in the Schengen area thanks to the 1985 Schengen Agreement. Here, we shall take you through the visa Process for Germany.

On the other hand, nationals of non-Schengen countries are permitted to enter the whole area with one unified document known as the Schengen Visa.

Student Visa: Which Consulates are open, US, UK and more

Germany is the place to be when it comes to higher education quality, research infrastructure, teaching methodology, low-cost studies, and career prospects. As a result, many international students continue to feel that Germany is the best place to further their studies.

The short-stay Schengen visa allows its holders to enter and reside in Germany for a maximum of 90 days (3 months) within 180 days. However, during this time, you are not entitled to engage in a paid activity.

German Visa

Citizens of the EU countries do not require a visa to visit Germany, irrespective of visit. It may be settlement or education; free entry and exit are provided to EU nations.

If you are not an EU member, you will need to obtain a visa first to enter Germany. On the other hand, even if you are a passport holder of any of these countries, but your purpose is other than tourism or business, and you need to remain in Germany for more than 90 days within six months, then you will still need to obtain a visa.

Types of German Visas

Depending on your travel to Germany, different types of visas will apply to your situation. Whether you plan to visit Germany, study or work or even settle there permanently, you will have to apply for a different Schengen visa, accordingly.

These are the most frequent German visa types:

• Tourist and Visitor Visa – for people who wish to enter Germany to visit friends or relatives, or just sightsee and experience the country and its culture.
• Family Reunion Visa to Join a Relative or a Partner – a visa for family members of German residents who wish to join them in Germany
• Job Seeker Visa – allows its holder to come to Germany and seek a job.
• Studying and Language Learning Visa – for foreigners who wish to enter the country with the sole purpose of attending a language course or continuing their studies at an educational institution in Germany.
• Working Visa – for people who have gotten a job in Germany
• Business Visa – for business people that need to remain in Germany for a period longer than 90 days within six months to do business.
• Airport Transit Visa – which is required for a minimal number of third-world nationals that need to pass through one of the German airports on their way to their final destination
• Guest Scientist Visa – for scientists or researchers an institution has invited to carry out a study or research.
• Training/Internship Visa – is a visa that allows attending training or internship to nationals of third-world countries.
• Medical Treatment Visa – has been established to permit foreigners with different illnesses and medical conditions to enter Germany and seek medical treatment.
• Trade Fair and Exhibitions Visa – for people who plan to participate at a trade fair or exhibition.
• Visa for Cultural, Film Crew, Sports, and Religious Event Purpose – for people who are planning to enter Germany, under the purpose of participating in a Cultural, Sports, and Religious event or as part of a Film Crew.

SOP for Student Visa [With FREE Sample,Tips, & More]

Requirements for the German Visa

The following documents are required for any Germany visa application:

• Application Form – duly completed with correct and honest answers that comply with the other documents information. Do not forget that you can download the Germany Visa Application form right here on our website.
• Passport – according to the German embassy’s passport requirements, among which validity of three months beyond your planned stays in the Schengen.
• Photo must take within the last three months and according to the German embassy’s other photo standards.
• Health Insurance – a document that confirms you have obtained travel health insurance that covers illnesses and accidents, and even repatriation in case of death, as well as the whole Schengen Area with a minimum coverage of € 30.000.
• Travel Itinerary – that includes proof of your round-trip flight/travel reservations or other documents that show intended transport, as well as proof of what you are planning to do in Germany within the period that you wish to Remain
• Proof of Financial Means – a document that proves you have the amount of money to finance yourself during your planned stay in Germany. This can be a recent bank statement that shows you have enough funds to spend at least 45€ per day spent in Germany.

Process of application

Below, we have mentioned the process of application for the German Visa.

1. Ask the embassy for a checklist of the required documents for your visa type you wish to apply for.
2. Fulfil the application form with correct information and obtain the required documents for your visa.
3. Appoint an interview at the German embassy in your country of residence. The earliest you can schedule the appointment is six months before your trip.
4. Pay the visa fee and save the receipt to show it later to the consular officer during the interview.
5. Show up on time at the embassy with all the required documents you arranged in the given order. The session will last around ten minutes, during which the consular officer will look at your records. They will ask you a few questions regarding your background and the purpose of your trip to Germany.

Fees of the German Visa

Germany Visa fees differ depending on the type of visa you apply for, thus your travel motif. The German and European permits, in general, are pretty cheaper than visas to the US, Canada, or even India. Moreover, with a single visa, you will be able to explore most of the old continent.

A German short-stay visa fee is EUR 80, whereas a long-stay visa is EUR 75. However, you should check it out since there are some visa fee exemptions for a few categories of applicants.

Loans for Germany – All you need to know!

FAQs

We have answered some questions here for your ease.

Q1. How long does it take to get a visa to Germany?

Ans. The processing time for visa applications (short stay) takes up to 15 days. If long-term residence permits for employment in Germany are applied, the processing time will be up to several months.

Q2. Is Germany Visa easy to obtain?

Ans. Most of our customers unanimously agree that the German consulate is the easiest to apply for a Schengen visa. If you apply for a tourist visa at VFS, you do not have to attend the consulate interview.

We truly hope we were able to resolve any queries you might have had.

Good luck!