Germany Visitor Visa : Everything Explained

This article is expository on the German Visitor Visa, it has all your possible questions answered. According to German law (section 71 (2) of the Residence Act), the Federal Republic of Germany’s missions, including its embassies and consulates general, are in charge of issuing visas. In general, the Federal Foreign Office is not involved in decisions on individual visa applications and is not aware of how each application is progressing through the embassies.

The mission in charge of the region where the applicant has his or her usual residence or domicile has Ratione loci competence (local responsibility) for issuing the visa. The duty for ratione materiae (subject-matter competence) rests with the Schengen state.

Types of Germany Visas

There are many types of visas that may be necessary for your trip to Germany depending on your objectives. Depending on your plans, you will need a different Schengen visa, whether you want to travel to Germany, study, work, or even move there permanently.

The following are the most typical forms of German visas:

• Tourist & Visitor Visa – for people who wish to enter Germany with the purpose of visiting friends or relatives, or to just sightsee and experience the country and its culture.
• Family Reunion Visa – Families of German residents who wish to join them in Germany may apply for a Family Reunion Visa to Join a Relative or a Partner.
• A job seeker visa enables its holder to travel to Germany and look for employment.
• For foreigners who seek to visit the nation with the sole intent of taking a language course or continuing their studies at an educational institution in Germany, there is the Studying & Language Learning Visa. 
• People who have landed a job in Germany are eligible for a working visa.
• Business visas are for persons who need to stay in Germany for more than 90 days in a six-month period in order to do business.
• A relatively small percentage of third-world people who must pass through a German airport on their way to their final destination are needed to obtain an airport transit visa.
• For scientists or researchers who have been invited by a facility to conduct a study or research, there is the guest scientist visa.
• Training/Internship Visa: This type of visa enables citizens of third-world nations to participate in training or internships. a, also known as a tourist or visiting visa, is required if you intend to enter Germany for a brief length of time as a tourist or guest.

Since this article is focused on the Germany visitor visa, let’s go over all you need to know about the prerequisites for the application process for a German visitor visa.

Entering Germany as a Tourist/Visitor with the Germany Visitor Visa

Due to Germany’s membership in the Schengen Area, citizens of  62 other countries are not required to obtain a German visitor visa in order to enter Germany for tourism. These nationals are permitted to stay in Germany without a visa for 90 days within a six-month period. The primary goal of Schengen is the elimination of border controls between member states, allowing all citizens of the nations listed below, including those of Germany, free and equal access.

You are free to travel to any of the other Schengen Zone members while you are in Germany, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The rule, however, can occasionally be broken. You might or might not need a Schengen visa in order to enter both Germany and the Schengen Area simultaneously, depending on your nationality.

Requirements to Apply for a Germany Visitor Visa

When it comes to obtaining a Germany Visitor visa, German authorities adhere to a set of (tight) norms and specifications. Therefore, it’s crucial to be aware of every criterion before submitting an application.

You need the following documents to apply for a Germany visitor or tourist visa to Germany:

• Application form: Completely filled out, printed, and signed at the conclusion.
• Two current pictures: taken recently—within the past three months—and in accordance with the requirements for Schengen visa photos.
• Genuine passport with a minimum validity of three months past your intended stay in Schengen, and no more than ten years old. To be able to attach the visa sticker, it needs to contain at least two blank pages.
• Booking or scheduling for round-trip travel. A record that specifies the dates and flight numbers for entering and leaving the Schengen region. Learn how to book a flight in order to apply for a German visitor visa.
• Travel Health Insurance. Evidence that you have purchased health insurance that covers medical emergencies with a minimum of €30,000, for your whole period of stay in Germany.
• Evidence of accommodation. Evidence indicating your planned lodgings during your Schengen visit. This could be:
  • Booking a hotel or hostel. For the duration of your stay in the Schengen region, please provide your name, complete address, phone number, and email.
  • Agreement for rent. If you have a rental in the country, you will be staying.
• Letter from the tour organiser. If you’re going to be using a travel company.
• Evidence of financial capacity. Evidence that you have the resources to support yourself during your stay in the Schengen area. This might be a:
  • Bank statement.
  • Authorization Letter. When you will be visiting the Schengen Zone with the financial support of another individual. Another name for it is an affidavit of support.
  • A combination of the two.
• A letter of invitation from your German host, together with a copy of their passport and/or German residency permit
• Identification proving your connection to the German host.
• Verpflichtungserklärung. This form, also known as a letter of commitment, must be signed by your host if they will be paying all of your expenditures. The form can be received from the German immigration officials at your host’s residence, and these authorities will verify your host’s solvency.
• Show proof of employment.
  • If employed
    • Employment agreement
    • Employer approval for time off
    • Financial Statement
  • If you’re self-employed
    • A copy of your business license
    •  Company’s bank statement, for six months’
    • Income tax returns (ITR)
  • If you are a Student
    • A letter from the university stating that there are no objections and
    • Proof of enrolment
• Travel itinerary. A description of your journey to Europe, your objectives, the locations you’ll visit while there, how long it will last, and all of your personal information.
• For minors:
  • A copy of the parent’s death certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate, custody order, or divorce decree.
  • Letter of permission from the parents, together with copies of each parent’s or legal guardian’s passport.

Application for the Germany Visitor Visa

Simply follow the instructions below to apply for a German visitor visa to Germany:

• To start, remember to apply as soon as possible. At least three weeks before the date of your trip.
• Find the closest consulate or embassy of Germany in your country. You should go there to schedule an appointment. If your home country does not have a German embassy or consulate, you should look up the German embassy in a neighbouring country. You might be able to schedule an appointment online, depending on the embassy.
• Fill out the application honestly and precisely. Print two copies, then sign them both.
• Take the payment confirmation with you after paying the visa fee.
• Before submitting the application, make sure you have all the required documentation.
• Search online for typical interview questions posed in similar situations to better prepare for the interview.

Processing time for the Germany visitor visa

The application centre’s current workload has a big impact on how quickly the German visitor visa is processed. The average wait period for a Schengen visitor/tourist visa is two weeks worldwide, but since one can never be too sure, it’s crucial to submit an application as soon as you can.

The wait time for a German visitor visa is occasionally 30 days, but it occasionally takes up to 60 calendar days, depending on the situation. As previously stated, a lot depends on the workload.

When should one apply for a German visitor visa?

Your application should be turned in as soon as possible. Until recently, you could apply three months before the date of your trip. The new Schengen visa regulations, however, allow you to apply 6 months in advance of your intended trip.

What is the cost of a German visitor or tourist visa?

Adults must pay €80 to obtain a German visitor or tourist visa. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 must pay €40. Citizens of nations with which the EU has Visa facilitation accords must pay €35. The cost of a Schengen visa is not refundable if your application is denied, and it is liable to alter at any time.

How long is the German visitor visa good for?

The maximum duration of the short-stay Schengen visa is usually 90 days during a six-month period. The embassy that issued your visa, on the other hand, is responsible for determining its validity. The duration of your stay in the Schengen region is specified on the visa sticker attached to your passport. Hope this article has the information you need to start your visitor trip to Germany. If not, do ask your questions in the comments section or sign up here on Setlinn and join a community of travel enthusiasts to get the exact information you need.