National Visa Issuance
Depending on your nationality, you may need a national visa for stays in Germany lasting longer than 90 days. The procedure and requirements also depend on the purpose for which you want to stay in Germany (e.g. employment, family reunification, studies and training).
There is no visa requirement for citizens of EU countries and some other countries (e.g. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia). As a rule, they can also enter the country for a longer stay without a national visa and apply for their residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office after entering the country. 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 need to prove your knowledge of the German language. The issuance of the national visa is governed by the same rules that apply to the issuance of the residence permit that you must apply for in Germany after the visa expires (e.g. residence permit, EU Blue Card).
Process flow
You must apply for a visa for a long-term stay at the diplomatic mission 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 fill out the visa application. On the agreed date, please visit the diplomatic mission in person. Please bring the completed application and all required documents with you.
- A member of staff at the diplomatic mission will have a conversation with you. For safety reasons, this takes place at the counter.
- In certain cases, once your application has been accepted, the diplomatic mission will contact the Foreigners' Registration Office or, in the case of taking up employment, the Federal Employment Agency in Germany, which is responsible for the place where you would like to live or work. In these cases, the diplomatic mission can only issue the visa if the Foreigners' Registration Office or the Federal Employment Agency agrees.
- The visa will be pasted into your passport in the form of a label.
- Only if you cannot be granted a visa, you will receive a written decision. You then have the following legal remedies:
- You can submit your objections in writing (remonstrate) to the diplomatic mission within one month. The diplomatic mission will then review your visa application again.
- If your application has been rejected even after the second examination, you can file a complaint with the Berlin Administrative Court within one month.
- You can also file a complaint directly with the Berlin Administrative Court within one month.
- If you are already in Germany: Please contact the Foreigners' Registration Office responsible for you. She is responsible for questions of residence law and decides on your application.
Who should I contact?
The contact persons for national visas are the visa offices of the German missions abroad.
Competent authority
The diplomatic missions of the Federal Republic of Germany (embassies, consulates general) are responsible for visa matters abroad. On the website of the Federal Foreign Office you will find all the necessary information about your responsible German mission abroad.
Requirements
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.
Which documents are required?
Details on the documents to be submitted can be found on the websites of the German missions abroad.
What are the fees?
- 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.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
Please submit your application in good time. Information on the appointment situation and booking appointments can be found on the websites of the German missions abroad.
Processing duration
Depending on the individual case, between a few days and several months
Applications / forms
- Forms: yes
- Online procedure possible: no
- Written form required: yes
- Personal appearance required: yes
Application for a national visa, category D, on the website of the Federal Foreign Office
Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office
Information on visas and residence on the website of the Federal Foreign Office
Technically approved by
Foreign Office
Professionally released on
20.08.2020
Author
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
