Germany Visa Requirements and Application Guidelines 2021 has been shared by Newsonline.
Newsonline reports that the Federal Republic of Germany is the most powerful European economy and one of the founders of many European agreements and organizations as the European Union and the Schengen Area. It has an area of 357,386 km2 and a population of 82,800,000 as of 2018.
Germany, Newsonline reports shares its borders with 9 neighbouring countries., more than any other country in Europe, which makes it an even more valuable tourism attraction. Germany is home to many castles, palaces and a lot of monuments that are part of German and European history.
The Brandenburg Gate, Cologne Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle, Bamberg and many other German attractions are on the “must-see list” of tourists in Europe.
To visit Germany, many world nationals may need a visa. Since 1995 when Germany as an EU Member State also became a member state of the Schengen Area, travellers can enter Germany with a Schengen Visa.
Germany Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Germany and the rest of the EU and Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020. Entry restrictions are frequently changing based on the COVID-19 situation in other countries.
Read “Travelling to Germany This Summer Amid COVID-19 – Everything You Need to Know” to get the latest updates regarding Germany entry restrictions and other measures imposed by German authorities.
Germany Entry Requirements
Germany is one of the founders of the idea behind the borderless travel area of Schengen. As such, every EU national coming to Germany only needs to carry with them an identification document.
On the other hand, non-EU travellers showing up at the German port of entry, need to present the following, in order to be allowed to enter Germany:
- A passport or travel document. Issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three more months beyond their planned date of exit from Germany.
- A valid visa. If require.
- Proof of sufficient funds for the entire stay in Germany. Travellers to Germany must be able to attest possessing at least 45€ per day they plan on spending in German territory.
- A round-trip ticket to Germany and back.
You will have to present these documents to the German border police upon arrival. In addition, you will be asked a few questions about your trip to Germany like:
- What is your purpose for visiting Germany?
- How long do you intend to stay in Germany?
- Where are you going to stay in Germany? Etc.
Then, the German border police will decide whether you shall be permitted to enter Germany or not, since it is in the competence of this person to give the final decision on your admission to Germany.
If you are permitted to enter, make sure that the German border officer stamps your passport. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from Germany.
Who Needs a Visa to Enter Germany?
You will need a short-stay visa to enter Germany and any other member country of the Schengen zone if you are a:
- Passport holder of a third-world country that has not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states
- Passport holder of a third-world country that has signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states, but you were previously rejected from entering Germany or any other Schengen country.
What Type of Visa Do I Need to Enter Germany?
If you are planning to visit Germany for a short stay trip (up to 90 days), then you have to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa to Germany, known also as a C-type visa, and if you plan to stay in Germany longer than 90 days, you will have to apply for a German long-stay visa, known also a D-type visa.
Depending on your purpose of entry in Germany, you can apply for one of the following short-stay visa types for Germany:
- Germany Airport Transit Visa. Apply for this visa if you need to land at one of the German airports to take a flight to your non-Schengen destination.
- Germany Transit Visa. Apply for this visa if you need to embark on one of the German harbours, to take a vessel that will take you to your non-Schengen destination
- Germany Tourist Visa. Apply for this visa if you wish to visit Germany for vacations, sightseeing, exploring or similar.
- Visa for Visiting Family or Friends in Germany. Apply for this visa if you wish to visit relatives or friends living in Germany.
- Germany Business Visa. Apply for this visa if you need to enter Germany to take part in activities related to business.
- Visa for Official Visit in Germany. Apply for this visa if you need to enter Germany for an official visit.
- Germany Medical Visa. Apply for this visa if you need to receive medical care in Germany.
- Germany Visa for Cultural, Sports and Film Crews. Apply for this visa if you need to attend an activity related to culture, sport, religion, or as a part of a film crew.
- Germany Trade Fair & Exhibitions Visa. Apply for this visa if you are planning to participate in a trade fair or exhibition taking place in Germany.
- Germany Training/Internship Visa. Apply for this visa if you want to attend training or do an internship in Germany.
What Documents are Required when Applying for a German Visa?
The following list of documents are required for any short-term German Schengen visa application:
- A visa application form. Complete the form with correct information in compliance with the information in the rest of the documents. Here you can learn easily how to fulfil the German visa form without any mistakes!
- Declaration. Which is a form issued by the German authorities in your country of residence that you need to sign. Through this paper, you confirm that you have provided all required information to the best of your knowledge and belief.
- Two passport photos. These photos must be identical and taken within the last three months.
- Your passport/Travel document:
- Valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from Germany.
- No older than 10 years.
- And it should contain at least two blank pages.
- Copies of your previous visas (if you have any).
- Round-trip Flight Itinerary. A copy of the round trip airline reservation with passenger details, and dates that prove the stay in Schengen does not exceed 90 days.
- Proof of accommodation. A document through which you prove to the German embassy/consulate where you will be staying during your trip in Germany, i.e. A hotel booking.
- Germany Travel Health Insurance. Prior to your application, you should obtain travel health insurance for the whole territory of Germany and all the other Schengen states. Your insurance must cover medical emergencies with a minimum of 30,000€.
Travel health insurance policies for foreigners visiting Germany that fulfil Germany Visa requirements can be purchased online from Europ Assistance, AXA Assistance or DR-WALTER. Travel insurance policies issued by all of these companies are accepted by German authorities worldwide.
- Proof financial funds for your trip to Germany. According to the European Commission information, a foreign applicant applying for a German visa must be able to attest possessing 45€/day to the German Embassy or Consulate for the period of stay in German territory.
- A cover letter. Explain in this letter the reason why you are applying to visit Germany, how long you wish to stay, and other details regarding your trip.
- Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.
Additional German Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status
The additional Germany visa requirements depending on your working status:
If employed:
- Employment contract
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Leave permission from the employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If a student:
- Proof of enrolment
- No-objection certificate from school or university
- Advertisements
If retired:
- Pension statement of the latest 6 months
If applicable:
- Proof of regular income generated by the property, for the last 6 months
Additional Germany Visa Requirements for Minors
The additional Germany visa requirements for children applying to get a short-stay visa are as follows:
- Birth certificate of the minor travelling to Germany.
- German application form signed by both parents.
- Family court order. In cases where only one parent has full custody of the child.
- Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents.
- A notarized parental authorization to travel to Germany, signed by both parents/guardians if the minor will be travelling alone.
