The German Embassy has officially ended its visa-free travel regime for Canadians. Effective August 1st, 2009, Canadian citizens will require a visa to enter Germany. Canada is not on the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for either a Visa Waiver Certificate or a Visa Landing. The German Embassy reserves the right to refuse any visa application at its discretion.The German Embassy has a service that allows Canadians to apply for their visa online, which is what I did. On the day of my appointment, I dropped off all the paperwork (required documents) and paid the visa fee at the bank. Since I brought all the documents in, I did not have to wait very long before it was my turn to be helped. The staff member (consulate officer) who assisted me was friendly and helpful, asking me questions about my time in Germany and why I wanted to visit. After twenty minutes, I had what I needed and was ready to go.

German Visa For Canadian

You have chosen to come to Germany. Enjoying your working holiday visa is only part of the experience. Your visa is not only a start, but also a continued process to your future endeavors, be it for studying or for seeking employment in Germany. If you are an investor, entrepreneur or want to set up a business in Germany, then you most certainly need a different kind of German visa – one that allows you entry into and stay in Germany for the purpose of conducting such business activity.

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Applying for a Germany Visa in Canada

German Schengen Visa Requirements and Application Guidelines for Canadian Citizens and Residents

Canadian citizens with a valid travel passport can travel to Germany and other countries of the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days without having to apply for or obtain a Schengen visa.

Non-Canadian citizens, who wish to stay in Germany or transit through Germany may require a Schengen visa depending on their citizenship. To determine whether you need a visa, please check the list of nationals who are required to have a Schengen Visa.

Convention Refugee: Holders of a blue Canadian Travel Document (Convention of July 28th, 1951) do not need a visa for transit and/or short-term stay (e.g. for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days) in Germany.

Below you can find more information on applying for a Germany visa from Canada.

Who Can Apply for a Germany Visa in Canada?

All non-Canadian citizens who do need a visa to enter Germany and the Schengen area must hold a valid permanent resident card or valid multiple entry visa for Canada with three (3) months validity after returning from the Schengen area. If your Canadian visa has expired, please have it renewed before applying.

Only applications from residents of Canada (Permanent residents, persons holding a Canadian student visa or work permit) can be accepted. Applications from persons holding long-term visitor’s visa can only be accepted if they can prove that they were unable to apply in their home country.

You should apply for a Germany visa via the Embassy of Germany in Canada if:

Germany is the only Schengen country you plan on visiting
Germany is your main destination (the country you will be staying the longest in)
Germany is the first Schengen country you are visiting

In case you plan on staying in Germany for more than 90 days you must apply for a residency permit, not a Germany Schengen visa.

Please, note that if you are not a resident in Canada you should apply at the German Embassy in your country of residence.

Germany Visa Requirements for Canadian Residents

The following documents are required in order to obtain a German visa in Canada:

A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure that:
- Your passport has been issued (not extended) within the previous 10 years,
- Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
- Your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
A valid permanent resident card or valid multiple entry visa for Canada must be presented.
The Canada residence permit or visa should be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States.
One application form (please see below) filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read the explanations carefully).
One passport format photo that has a light background, is brightly coloured and shows full face features. The photo must be less than three months old and be glued to the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected.
A cover letter that explains the purpose of the visit to Germany
Proof of travel arrangements: Round trip flight reservations from Canada to Germany and back or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Germany.
Travel Health Insurance stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation not just in Germany, but in the whole Schengen zone (minimum coverage of € 30.000 – approx. 50,000.00 CAD). Canadian residents can easily purchase travel insurance online from AXA-Schengen or Europ Assistance. All these insurance companies are accepted by German Embassies and Consulates in Canada.
Proof of accommodation in Germany:
- Evidence of a hotel booking or rental agreement, or
- Invitation from your German host (family member, friend) along with a copy of their passport or ID (Proof of sponsorship if dependant)
Proof of financial subsistence:
- A recent statement of Canadian bank account for the last three months showing funds of at least 70CAD that are equivalent to 45€ per person per day spent in German, or
- Traveller’s cheques
Invitation letter (not older than 4 weeks) from the business partner in Germany, confirming the business trip and schedule of your visit, including the name and full address of the contact person in Germany (Business Visa)
Prepaid Xpresspost envelope (Canada Post only), Regional Standard to Ontario or National Standard to all other provinces (shipment to a Canadian address only!)
Visa fee (approximately 95.00 CAD)

Note: Photocopies of the original documents should also be submitted and documents should not be more than one month old.

The documents listed above are documents required in all cases, regardless of the purpose of your visit to Germany. Depending on your employment status, here is a list of additional documents that are required for your visa application:

For employees:

Employment contract
Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
Leave permission from the employer
Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

For the self-employed:

A copy of your business license
Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
Income Tax Return (ITR)

For foreign students in Canada:

Reference letter from the educational institution (school/college/university) stating that you are in good standing, your major and the expected date of graduation.

For retirees:

Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:

A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date,
Spouse’s valid passport
An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation must be in English or German and must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place.

Required documents for visa application for underage children

Original birth certificate among others.
Signed travel consent from both parents
- If one parent is not located in Kanada they should submit their signed consent to the German Embassy/Consulate of their residing country

Note: All documents must be either in German or English or officially translated by a certified translator.

To find more about the documentation needed for applying for a visa to