The German Visa for your Trip to Germany
If you are thinking of travelling to Germany on a holiday or to meet a relative or on a business trip, then applying for a German visa can become a necessary task.
Usually, a visitor should be able to apply for the required German visa online/ at the nearest German consulate in the country where you live.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of German Visa
Before applying for a visa for Germany, it is recommended you check whether you meet all the German visa requirements.
A brief summary of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the visa for Germany:
- You do not intend to undertake volunteer work that can otherwise be done by a paid worker in Germany.
- You do not plan to enter into a work relationship in Germany.
- You do not intend to give services to German organisations (this is permitted with a German work visa or business visa).
- You do not intend to give or offer services or products to consumers in Germany.
- You and your relative are not in debt to the Germany Government.
- You do not pose a threat to the health or safety and security of the people of Germany.
- You have the ability to show that you have enough financial resources to finance your trip and return from Germany.
Do I require a German visa?
It relies on your citizenship and also the kind of travel document you are using to travel to Germany.Please go here to check if you require a German visa.
Who can make an application for a German visa?
Any person choosing to go on holiday to Germany can make an application for a German visa.
There are several kinds of visa for Germany which you can use as a visitor to Germany. If you are uncertain which kind of German visa you need to apply, please speak to the nearby German visa office to get further information as aim of this web page is to provide you general guide when getting German visa.
What type of German visa do I need?
This relies on 3 things:
- The nationality according to your passport – If the citizenship according to the passport is from a country that is on visa free travel to Germany or eligible to apply for a visa on arrival in Germany, then you may not require to apply for a German visa before departure from your home country. Please click here to check if you require a German visa.
- The length of your visit in Germany – If you wish to stay in Germany for a much shorter duration less than 90 days, then you can get the German visa. If you prefer to remain longer, then speak to the nearby German visa office to find the appropriate visa for your trip.
- The activities you want to accomplish in Germany – If your main purpose of taking a trip is for holiday, then you can apply for all kinds of German visas stated on this web page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Apply for German Visitor Visa
- Tourist visa application form for Germany – Completed German visa application form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months before going into Germany and three months after leaving Germany. It needs to contain a minimum of 2 extra visa pages and can not be older than 10 years.
- Passport type photo – Photo should be no older than 6 months and should be 35 x 40mm in width.
- Previous passport – Provide a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous German visas information if you had any.
- Flight tickets to Germany – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some circumstances the German visa office may request for prepaid flight tickets to Germany.
- Travel insurance – Proof of travel insurance policy with a minimum cover set by the German embassy provided with the Certification of Insurance policy and the table of benefits. The travel insurance should cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency need to be issued by an insurance provider. If you are considering utilizing your credit card travel insurance for your travel to Germany, please contact German embassy to find out more and travel insurance requirements for the German visa.
- Original financial institution statements – Original financial institution statements for the last 3 months showing sufficient funds to cover your visit in Germany. If statements are printed online then it needs to be Authenticated (marked) by the financial institution representatives.
- Hotel Reservations in Germany – Copy of confirmed hotel bookings including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, time-span of stay. In many conditions, only bookings which are partially or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Work letter – This letter should be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, confirming your ongoing employment, the status of employment, regular monthly income and yearly leave. Additionally, please supply your 3 most recent pay slips. If you are self-employed: supply certified copies of company registration, income tax return.
- For students. Please give the following:
- Proof of current student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming on-going enrolment, verifying the payment of tuition fees or any kind of scholarships, and confirming semester break.
- Insurance coverage from Organisation/University– Offer a letter from the University specifying the purpose, duration of travel and confirmation that you will be covered by the insurance for the entire trip in addition to the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
In general, visa applications for German visa should be sent for an optimum of 6 months, and no behind 15 days, before the trip.