Applying for a visa to enter Germany
Depending on the country you come from, a visa may be required for entry into Germany. You can find out to which countries this applies with the help of the "Staatenliste zur Visumpflicht" (list of countries whose citizens require visas) of the German Federal Foreign Office.
Note: If you already hold a residence permit that is still valid, you do not need a visa to enter the country.
Visas are issued for two distinctive use cases:
Transit and short stays
If you are only passing through the Schengen area by air or land, i.e. you are on your way to a so-called third country (which is not itself a Schengen country), you must apply for a Schengen visa of category "A" (air transit) or "C", respectively.
For a short stay of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days, you may apply for a Schengen visa of category "C", if you do not intend to take up gainful employment. This visa also entitles the holder to short stays in the other member states of the Schengen Agreement.
Long-term stays [...]
- residence permit,
- the EU Blue Card,
- the ICT card,
- the Mobile ICT Card,
- the settlement permit and
- the permit for permanent residence - EU
After entering the country with a national visa, the corresponding permit is issued upon application for a specific legal purpose of stay. In special cases (e.g. for highly qualified professionals), a (permanent) settlement permit can also be issued immediately.
It is mandatory to apply for the issuance of a new visa at the immigration office before the current visa expires.
For citizens of the European Union and nationals of the EEA states Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, no visa is required for entry and no residence permit is required for residence. As a rule, this also applies to citizens of Switzerland.
Point of contact
German foreign representation in your country of origin (embassy, consulate)
–> German foreign representations
Department of Foreign Affairs (Auswärtiges Amt)
Onlineantrag und Formulare
Zuständige Stelle
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- Warum soll ich einen Ort angeben?
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- Welchen Ort soll ich angeben?
- Zum Beispiel Ihren Wohnort, wenn Sie einen Reisepass beantragen wollen oder den Unternehmensstandort, wenn Sie ein Gewerbe anmelden möchten.
Service details
Prerequisite
As a rule, the issuance of a visa requires that
- your identity is clarified and you fulfill the passport obligation,
- your livelihood is secured,
- there is no reason for expulsion and
- if there is no entitlement to a residence permit, your stay does not impair or threaten the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany for any other reason.
If you intend to stay for a longer period of time, you must also meet the specific requirements for a residence permit in accordance with the intended purpose of your stay.
If you have previously been expelled, deported or returned from Germany, a visa cannot be issued as long as a re-entry ban is still in place.
Procedure
The application forms for entry visas are available in various languages on the website of the German representation in your country of origin.
- Fill out the form accurately and sign it.
- Compile the necessary supporting documents.
- Hand in the application (at least two copies) with the required documents in person at the German foreign representation in your country of origin.
Examination and issuance of the visa
- The foreign representation of the Federal Republic of Germany obtains the consent of the immigration office at your future place of residence in Germany.
- With this approval, the foreign representation can issue the visa.
Entry
- If you are granted a visa, entry and residence are permitted via an endorsement in your passport.
Legal basis
- § 5 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) – General issuing requirements
- § 6 AufenthG – Visa
- Schengen Borders Code
- EU visa ordinance
Release note
Based on the German version authorized by Sächsisches Staatsministerium des Innern. 08.10.2020