Germany Visa 2023: Types of visas, conditions and how to submit the application

Based on the Schengen Agreement reached in 1985, citizens of Schengen member states are allowed to travel without a visa throughout the area.

On the other hand, citizens of non-Schengen member states are allowed to enter the area with one unified document known as a Schengen visa.

When you are in Germany , you are allowed to visit all other member states of the Schengen Area, namely: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands. , Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

However, there are always exceptions to this rule. Depending on your nationality, you may be required to obtain a Schengen visa before entering the Schengen Area and Germany. A short-stay Schengen visa allows its holders to enter and stay in Germany for up to 90 days (3 months) within a 180-day period. During this period, you are not allowed to work for compensation.

In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need about a Germany visa, including the conditions, required documents, and all necessary procedures.

Do you need a visa to visit Germany?

Currently, citizens of 62 countries are allowed to enter Germany without a visa for tourist activities or visits of less than 90 days within a 180-day period.

However, from 2024, you will be required to apply for the ETIAS system to enter Germany .

If you are not a national of any of these 62 countries that have a visa-free agreement with the European Union, you will be required to obtain a visa before traveling to Germany .

On the other hand, even if you are a citizen of one of these countries but the purpose of your visit is not tourist or business, and you need to stay in Germany for more than 90 days within a 6-month period, you will have to obtain a visa.

Who needs a visa to visit Germany?

If you plan to visit Germany for a short stay and belong to one of the following countries, you will need to obtain a visa before travelling:

Afghanistan, Bhutan, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Algeria, Bolivia, China, Eritrea, Kiribati, Malawi, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Maldives, Armenia, Burkina Faso, Congo, Fiji, Kuwait, Mali, Azerbaijan, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Laos, Mauritania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Djibouti, Ghana, Lebanon, Micronesia, Belarus, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Pakistan, Lesotho, Mongolia, Belize, Cape Verde, Ecuador, Guinea, Liberia. , Morocco, Benin, Central African Republic, Egypt, Bissau, Libya, Mozambique, Somalia, East Timor, Vietnam, Guyana, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Togo, Yemen, Haiti, Nauru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Zambia , India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Niger, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Turkey, Philippines, Iran, Nigeria, Swaziland, Turkmenistan, Qatar, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Tuvalu, Russia, Ivory Coast, Northern Marianas, Tajikistan, Uganda, Rwanda, Jamaica, Oman, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Samoa, Jordan, Palau, Thailand, Vanuatu, Sao Tome and Principe, Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea.

The process of obtaining a Germany visa requires gathering the required documents, attending an interview, paying the visa fee and waiting for a decision on your application.

Categories exempt from short-stay visa in Germany

Even if you belong to one of the above-mentioned countries, whose citizens usually need to obtain a short-stay visa to enter Germany, there is still a possibility that you will be visa-exempt, if one of the following exceptions applies:

1. You are a national of an EU/EEA/EFTA country.
2. You are the partner or child of a person who is an EU/EEA/EFTA national and you are traveling with them.
3. You are a holder of a diplomatic, service or special passport issued by Chad, Ghana, Philippines, Thailand and Turkey.
4. You are a holder of a diplomatic passport issued by Algeria, Georgia, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Pakistan, Russian Federation, South Africa and Tunisia.

Please note that you may be required to comply with specific conditions or provide additional documentation to take advantage of these exceptions.

Do you need a visa to travel to Germany from the UK?

As the UK is no longer part of the Schengen Area as of 1 February 2020 and is no longer a member of the European Union, citizens of non-EU countries who have been resident in the UK for at least three months and wish to visit Germany must obtain a Entry visa.

For British nationals, the ETIAS program is expected to apply when it is fully operational in May 2023. An ETIAS e-Visa is required for travel to Germany and other countries in the Schengen Area.

Please note that this information is correct to the best of knowledge as of September 2021. Before travelling, it is best to check the latest travel and visa requirements from the German Embassy or official travel website to confirm current laws and requirements.

Types of visas

There are different types of visas available to travel to Germany, depending on the purpose of your travel. Below are examples of the most common visa types in Germany:

1. Tourist and Visit Visa: For people who want to visit friends or relatives in Germany or explore tourist attractions.
2. Family Reunification Visa: For individuals who wish to join a family member residing in Germany.
3. Job Seeker Visa: For people who want to search for job opportunities in Germany.
4. Study and language learning visa: For students who want to study at German educational institutions or attend German language courses.
5. Work visa: For people who have received a job offer in Germany and want to work there.
6. Airport Transit Visa: For travelers who need to pass through a German airport on their way to their final destination.
7. Visiting Scientist Visa: For scientists or researchers who have been invited to carry out research or studies at German institutions.
8. Training/Internship Visa: For individuals who wish to attend training or internship programs in Germany.
9. Medical Treatment Visa: For people who need to receive medical treatment in Germany.
10. Trade fair visa: For people who plan to participate in trade fairs or similar events in Germany.
11. Visa for cultural, sporting and religious purposes: for individuals who plan to participate in cultural, sporting or religious events in Germany.

Please note that this is a general list and that there are other types of visas available depending on individual circumstances. You should contact the German Embassy or the official travel website for more detailed information about which visas are suitable for you and the purpose of your travel.

Germany visa requirements

To obtain a Germany visa, a set of requirements must be met. Although there is a unified document for visa requirements in the Schengen Area, requirements can vary from one country to another. It is important to strictly adhere to all requirements and carefully implement them down to the last detail. Usually, the German embassy in each country provides an updated list of Germany visa requirements for all visa types.

Therefore, it is advisable to check the official website of the German embassy in your country or the country you are in for updated information about the requirements for the visa you wish to obtain. This may include filling out application forms, submitting personal photographs, proof of income, booking a return ticket, health insurance, hotel reservation, official invitation, and other required documents depending on the type of visa and purpose of travel.

Please do not hesitate to contact your local German embassy or consulate for precise and comprehensive details about the specific requirements for the visa that concerns you.

Here is the list of documents required to submit a Germany visa application:

1. Application Form: The application form must be filled out with correct and honest answers according to the information in the other required documents. You can download the Germany visa application form from the official website of the German Embassy .
2. Passport: You must have a valid passport with a validity of more than three months for the duration of your planned stay in the Schengen Area.
3. Photo: The photo must be recent, taken within the last three months, and comply with the photo standards set by the German Embassy.
4. Health Insurance: You must submit a document confirming that you have health insurance covering illnesses, accidents and repatriation of death to your country, in addition to a coverage of at least €30,000 in the Schengen Area.
5. Trip itinerary: You must provide proof of round-trip travel reservations or other documentation showing the planned means of transportation, as well as proof of what you intend to do in Germany during your planned stay.
6. Proof of financial means: You must submit a document proving that you have a sufficient amount of money to finance yourself during your stay in Germany. This can include a recent bank statement showing the availability of the required amount of money, which must be at least €45 for each day you spend in Germany. If you do not have the ability to provide proof of your financing, the applicant can submit an official declaration from a third person pledging to finance his trip and stay in Germany and provide financial proof for him.
7. Additional Documents: There may be additional requirements depending on the type of visa, your country of residence, and your nationality. Please contact the German embassy or consulate in your country for exact details on the requirements for a Germany visa which must be provided when submitting your application.

You must ensure that all required documents are completed and submitted correctly to facilitate the process of obtaining a Germany visa.

Here is a step-by-step guide to the Germany visa application process:

1. Contact the German embassy in your country and request a list of documents required for the type of visa you wish to apply for.
2. Fill out the application form with the correct information and get all the documents required for the visa and according to the checklist you received.
3. Schedule an interview at the German embassy in your country of residence. The appointment must be within six months before your planned trip.
4. Pay the visa fee and keep the payment receipt as proof for the consular officer during the interview.
5. Bring all required documents on time at the embassy and maintain their specified order. All documents must be complete and correct.
6. During the interview, the consular officer will review your documents and ask some questions regarding your background and the purpose of your trip to Germany. Answer all questions honestly and clearly.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you will increase your chances of successfully obtaining a Germany visa.

Germany visa fees

Germany visa fees vary depending on the type of visa you apply for. In general, short-stay visas to Germany are much cheaper than visas to the United States, Canada, or even India. In addition, with a single visa, you can explore most parts of the European continent.

In general, the fee for a short-stay visa in Germany is around 80 euros, while a long-stay visa is around 75 euros. However, the exact fees should always be checked, as there are some exceptions and fee reductions for some categories of applicants.

It is important to check current visa fees and specific instructions from the German embassy in your country or from the official embassy website. You can find this information by contacting the embassy or visiting its website.

Tourism in Germany is characterized by many activities and places that can be visited. Click here to explore the best activities and tourist places in Germany .