In Germany, there are different types of visas and each of them is issued to a different category of the applicants owing to the fact that they are allowed to stay in Germany for a definite period of time or purpose.Germany has several types of visa which you can apply for if you are looking to study in Germany. You can read more about them in this article, and see what the requirements are to get each one so that you can choose the right one for you.
The most common question asked by the foreigners who want to be in Germany is whether or not they need to apply for a visa before entering the country. The truth is that this immigration type can be permanent or temporary, depending on your reasons and circumstances, but the general rule is that you have to have a residence permit before entering Germany. On the other hand, you could stay there without applying for a residence permit, just staying with an entry visa. This immigration type allows you to qualify as an individual with continuous residence in Germany.A German visa requires an invitation from a German host, who also pays for the traveler’s stay. There are two types of invitation:
How Many Types Of Visa In Germany
Who Needs a Visa for Germany?
If you are travelling to Germany for the purpose of tourism, then you will not need a short-stay visa to Germany if you are a national of the 62 visa-exempt countries. A German Tourist visa entitles its holder to stay in Germany for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Holders are permitted to travel to Germany and the other 25 Schengen countries while the visa is valid.
Types of Visas for Germany
Due to the several purposes under which one might wish to enter Germany, the German Immigration Authorities have established a few types of visa.
Here are the types of German visas that you can apply for:
- Germany Airport Transit visa – to transit through a German airport.
- Germany Schengen visa – to visit family and friends or for tourism, for medical treatment, for official, cultural or sports visits.
- Germany Business visa – to attend meetings and other business related events.
- Germany Student Visa for prospective students in Germany or those that have already been admitted in a German university.
- Germany Language Course Visa for prospective students in Germany may need to attend a langue course before being fully admitted to a university.
- Germany Student Internship Visa for students who want to participate in a training program or internship in Germany that lasts longer than 90 days.
- Germany Researcher visa for international scholars and researchers who will participate in a scientific event in Germany.
- Germany Employment Visa for persons that have a job offer in Germany and can be used to work on a paid job.
- Germany Job Seeker Visa for those seeking attractive job opportunities in Germany but do not have a job offer yet.
- Germany Freelancer Visa for foreign freelancers of different fields to enter Germany and work there as a Freelancer.
- Germany Family Reunion Visa for bringing specifically spouses and children of those who have already settled in Germany
- Medical Treatment Visa for every international with health issues to seek medical treatment in Germany.
What Should I do if I Have to Stay in Germany for Longer Than 90 Days?
If you will stay in Germany for longer than 90 days and are not a national of one the countries mentioned above, you should apply for one of the German long stay visas. The Germany long stay visas, contrary to short stay visas are issued for stays that exceed 90 days and under completely different purpose of travel than the purpose of short stay visas. You will not need to apply for a German long stay visa only if you are a national of:
- EU/EEA/EFTA countries
- Australia
- Israel
- Japan
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Republic of South Korea
- the United States of America
Then, if your visa is granted, upon arrival in Germany you will have to get a German residence permit. Here are the types of German residence permits based on the purpose of the visa that has been issued:
- Germany Student Residence Permit – issued to a student who participates in a training program, study at a university and is issued for the length of the course.
- German Employment Residence Permit – issued to those who get a job offer in Germany after actively seeking work under a Job Seeker visa.
- German Family Reunion Residence Permit – issued to family members of German residents for the purpose of family reunification.
- Germany EU Blue Card – residence permit for highly skilled workers and want to work in their area of expertise in Germany.
- EU Residence Permit – issued for these groups of people who want to reside in Germany on another EU country.
- Germany Humanitarian Residence Permit – issued to those who have escaped a situation in their home country.
- Permanent Residence Permit – issued to settle in Germany
Also read: Visa options for those who want to retire in Germany
How to Apply for a Germany Visa?
The first thing you need to do when applying for a German visa is to find the nearest German mission in your country, and then you can proceed with the following steps:
- Fill out the online visa application form.
- Prepare the required documents.
- Set up an interview date at the embassy/consulate.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Submit your fingerprints.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Go to Germany.
Keep in mind that the application process for a German visa may be different depending on which country you apply from since each local German mission works differently.
Where to Apply for a Germany Visa?
For a short-stay Germany visa, you have to apply at a German mission in your home country or near you. However, if you are applying for a long-stay visa you have to apply at two different institutions:
- A German mission. For your entry visa (national D visa), you still have to apply in your home country at a German embassy or consulate so you can enter the country.
- Foreigner’s Office. When you enter Germany, you have to register at the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigner’s Office) to get your residence permit.
What If My Application Is Rejected?
If the German embassy rejects your visa application, you will receive the reason behind this decision. If you think this decision is unjust, you can always appeal by writing an appeal letter for visa refusal.
Here you can read about the 9 most common reasons for Germany visa denial.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Visa to Germany?
It takes up to 15 business days to process your Germany visa application. If you are applying for a long-term visa, your application’s processing time may take several months.
However, keep in mind that the time it takes to process your visa application is dependent on several factors such as the staff available at the visa office, the time when you apply for the visa (off-season or in-season), and whether you submit a completed application or not.
How Much Does a Germany Visa Cost?
A Germany short-stay visa costs €80 for the main applicant. However, the fees change based on what type of German visa you are applying for and how old you are. For example, if you have a child under 6, their visa application is free of charge, while for children between ages 6 and 12, the cost is reduced to €40.
You are usually required to pay the fee after you complete your interview; sometimes, you can complete the visa payment when you fill out the online visa application form- it depends from country to country.
It’s important to remember that the Germany visa fee is non-refundable, even if your visa application is denied. Also, please keep in mind that most foreign German missions do not accept payments from digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay; you are usually required to pay cash or by credit card (you must be the cardholder).