Applying for a Schengen Visa to Germany

If you’re planning a visit to Germany for tourism, business, or family reasons and intend to stay for up to 90 days, you may need to apply for a German Short-stay visa, known as the Germany Schengen Visa.

Our visa experts have crafted the following guide to assist you at every stage of the German Schengen visa application process. Filled with valuable insights and in-depth information based on our expertise, this comprehensive guide will aid you in thoroughly preparing for your upcoming German adventure.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa to Germany?

Here’s the step-by-step process for how to obtain a visa to visit Germany:

1. Check if you need a visa.
2. Understand the type of visa you need.
3. Determine where to lodge your visa application.
4. Complete and download the visa application form.
5. Schedule your German visa appointment.
6. Prepare the required documents.
7. Attend your visa appointment.
8. Wait for the visa to process.
9. Collect your passport.

Check if You Need a Visa

Not every traveller heading to Germany needs a visa. Before you travel, check the information below to determine whether you must apply for a visa or not.

Who Needs a Visa?

You will have to apply for a visa when travelling to Germany if you are:

• A citizen of a non-EU country that has not reached a visa liberalisation agreement with the EU.
• A citizen of a non-EU country that has reached a visa liberalisation agreement with the EU, but you were rejected from entering Germany or any other Schengen country visa-free.

Exemptions from Visa Requirements

You are exempt from applying for a visa to enter Germany if you fall into any of the following categories:

• You are a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
• You hold a passport from the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, or any other country with a visa liberalisation agreement with the EU.
• You possess a valid residence permit from any country within the Schengen area.

For those exempt from a visa, check out the required documents for entry into Germany. It’s always good to be prepared!

Germany Visa Policy: A Visual Guide

Understand the Visa Type You Need

If your plan involves a short trip to Germany, lasting up to 90 days, whether it’s for tourism, visiting friends and family, or business purposes, you should apply for a short-stay visa, commonly referred to as a C-type or Schengen Visa.

However, if your visit involves other purposes or you plan to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you’ll need a long-stay visa, also known as a D-type visa.

Short-Stay Visa (C) Types

• Airport Transit Visa: For transiting through German airports to reach a destination outside the Schengen Area.
• Tourist Visa: Designed for those wanting a vacation or sightseeing experience in Germany.
• Visitor Visa: Intended for individuals with family or friends in Germany who are aiming to visit them.
• Business Visa: Tailored for business professionals participating in activities related to business in Germany.
• Visa for Official Visit: Applicable to delegations travelling to Germany on official visits.
• Visa for Medical Reasons: For patients requiring medical care in German hospitals or clinics.
• Visa for Study Purposes: For those seeking to study at an educational institution in Germany for up to three months.
• Visa for Training/Internship:This type of visa is designed for individuals who wish to undergo specific training or participate in an internship in Germany.
• Visa for Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews: Suited for individuals attending cultural, sports, or film events in Germany.

Remember, having a visa doesn’t guarantee entry; you must meet specific entry requirements outlined by German border officials. Ensure you fulfil these requirements before planning your journey to Germany.

Long-Stay Visa (D) Types

• Germany student visa. If you plan to study in Germany for more than 90 days, you’ll need a Germany long-term student visa to pursue academic studies, research, or educational programs at German universities or educational institutions.
• Germany family reunion visa. This visa allows spouses, children, parents, or other relatives to reunite with their family members in Germany for an extended period.
• Germany work visa. You can apply for this visa if you have a job offer or employment contract from a German employer.
• Germany job seeker visa. This visa allows you to stay in Germany for up to six months to search for employment and attend job interviews.
• Germany guest scientist visa. If you’re a researcher or scientist invited by a German research institution or organization for a specific project or collaboration, you’ll need a German guest scientist visa.
• Germany freelancer visa. With this visa, you can work as a freelancer and reside in Germany.

Determine Where to Lodge Your Visa Application

The location where you should submit your German Short-Stay visa application is determined by your place of residence. See below to find out whether you need to submit your visa application directly to the German Embassy/Consulate or through the authorized visa application centers.

Finding the Right Submission Location

• Individuals residing in Albania, Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, or the United Kingdom are required to submit their German Schengen visa applications through TLS Contact.
• Individuals residing in Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The United Arab Emirates, or Vietnam are required to submit their German Schengen visa applications through VFS Global.
• If you are a resident of the United States, or Mexico, you are required to submit the German Schengen visa application through BLS International.
• Individuals residing in Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Russia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan are required to submit their German Schengen visa applications through iData or Visametric.
• Residents from countries not mentioned above have to submit their German Schengen visa applications to the German embassy or consulate in their country of residence.

Ensure a smooth application process by contacting the appropriate entity based on your location. If you require clarification or have specific inquiries, please reach out to the relevant agency/consulate for guidance.

Who Should Apply for a Schengen Visa at the German Embassy/Consulate/VAC?

If Germany is the only country in the Schengen Area you plan to visit, it’s straightforward – apply at the German embassy/consulate or the authorized Visa Application Center (VAC) in your country of residence.

However, if your journey includes Germany and at least one more Schengen state, apply at the German embassy/consulate/VAC in your country of residence only if:

• You will spend more days in Germany than in the other Schengen countries.
• You will spend an equal amount of time in each country, but you are starting your Schengen adventure by entering through Germany.

You can’t apply for a short-stay German visa from a country where you are currently on a short-stay visa. You must hold a residence permit in the country where you are applying.

Complete & Download the Visa Application Form

Once you know you need a short-stay visa to go to Germany and you’ve figured out the type of visa you need and where to submit your application, the next thing to do is fill out a form.

You can do this in two ways: either download the standard Schengen visa application form or visit the official Videx website of the Auswärtiges Amt and fill in all the needed details yourself.

Our visa experts have created guides to assist you in accurately completing the German Schengen visa application form, whether it’s in PDF or Videx format.