Apply for a national visa
Description
Depending on your nationality, you will need a national visa for stays in Germany that last longer than 90 days. The procedure and requirements also depend on the purpose of your stay in Germany (e.g. employment, family reunification, study and training).
There is no visa requirement for nationals of EU countries and some other countries (for example Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia). As a rule, they can enter Germany for a longer stay without a national visa and apply for their residence title at the Aliens' Registration Office after entry. A complete list of countries with an indication of the respective visa requirements can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
In certain cases you will have to prove knowledge of the German language. The issuing of the national visa is governed by the same regulations that apply to the issuing of the residence title that you must apply for in Germany after the visa expires (e.g. residence permit, EU Blue Card).
The requirements depend on your nationality and the purpose of your stay. They are regulated in detail in the provisions of the Residence Act and other legal ordinances.
Details on the documents to be submitted can be found on the websites of the German missions abroad.
- Standard rate: EUR 75.00
- for minors up to their 18th birthday: EUR 37.50
In certain cases, the fee may be reduced or waived altogether.
Please submit your application in good time. You will find information on the appointment situation and on booking appointments on the websites of the German missions abroad .
Depending on the individual case between a few days and several months
Contact persons for national visas are the visa offices of the German missions abroad.
- Forms: yes
- Online procedure possible: no
- Written form required: yes
- Personal appearance required: yes
You must apply for a visa for a long-term stay at the diplomatic mission or consular post responsible for you.
- Find out more about the application procedure and the documents to be submitted on the website of the diplomatic mission responsible for you
- Make an appointment at the diplomatic mission abroad
- Download, print and complete the visa application form. Please visit the diplomatic mission in person on the agreed date. Please bring the completed application and all required documents with you.
- A member of staff from the diplomatic mission abroad will interview you. For security reasons, this will take place at the counter.
- In certain cases, after accepting your application, the diplomatic mission or consular post will contact the foreigners authority or, in the case of employment, the Federal Employment Agency in Germany, which is responsible for the place where you wish to live or work. In these cases, the diplomatic mission abroad can only issue the visa if the foreigners authority or the Federal Employment Agency agrees.
- The visa is affixed to your passport in the form of a label.
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You will only receive a written decision if you cannot be granted a visa. You then have the following legal remedies:
- You can submit your objections in writing to the diplomatic mission abroad within one month (remonstration). The diplomatic mission or consular post will then re-examine your visa application.
- If your application is still rejected after the second examination, you can lodge a complaint with the Berlin Administrative Court within one month.
- You can also lodge a complaint directly with the Berlin Administrative Court within one month.
- If you are already in Germany: Please contact the immigration authority responsible for you. It is responsible for matters relating to residence law and will decide on your application.
Federal Foreign Office
20.08.2020
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
- National visa issuance
Remark: Anzeige der Leistung im Ursprungsportal
