Are you planning a trip or a longer stay in the Federal Republic of Germany and wondering who needs a visa for Germany? Citizens of 104 countries need to apply for a visa to enter the Schengen Area, and thus also Germany. Make sure to check in advance whether you are subject to visa requirements! Additionally, depending on the purpose of your trip and the duration of your stay, there are different types of visas for Germany. In this article, you will learn which Germany visa applies to your situation.
First, it is important to distinguish between two main types of visas for Germany. The main difference between the two types of Germany visas lies in the purpose of travel and the duration of stay.
- C-Visa Germany (also referred to as Schengen Visa)
- D-Visa Germany (also known as National Visa)
1. C-Visa Germany: Visa for Short-Term Stays
The C-Visa Germany is a short-stay visa, which allows for a stay in the Schengen Area and the Federal Republic of Germany for up to 90 days. It is suitable for short visits such as visiting family and friends, business trips, or tourist stays. Therefore, the C-Visa is the most widely used visa among Schengen visas.
2. D-Visa Germany: Visa for Long-Term Stays
If you are planning a long-term stay or starting a job, you will need to apply for the D-Visa for Germany. The D-Visa is also referred to as a national visa and allows for a stay of more than 90 days in Germany. Thus, the national visa Germany is suitable for study stays, taking up work, completing training, family reunification, and even marriage to a partner from a non-Schengen area.
C-Visa for Germany: Which Visa Should I Apply For?
Furthermore, the Schengen C-Visa differs in purpose of travel. Are you coming to Germany as a visitor, business traveler, or tourist? For each purpose, you need to provide separate documentation.
1. The C-Visa as a Tourist Visa for Germany
If you are coming solely as a tourist for a short stay in Germany, the Tourist Visa for Germany in the form of the Schengen C-Visa is sufficient. With this type of visa for Germany, you can stay in the Federal Republic for up to 90 days and explore the southern German castles and mountains to the northern German coast and lakes. Additionally, with a Schengen Tourist Visa (unless otherwise stated on the visa label), you can move freely throughout the entire Schengen Area.
2. The C-Visa as a Visitor Visa for Germany
If you want to visit friends or family in Germany, you should clearly state the visit as the reason for your trip when applying for your Schengen short-stay visa. In this case, an invitation letter is required, which your host can prepare for you. Your host can also act as a sponsor for the trip if you are unable to finance your stay on your own. In such a case, a declaration of commitment is also necessary, which your host can submit to the local immigration office. With a Schengen Visitor Visa, you can also move freely in the Schengen Area (unless otherwise stated on the visa label).
D-Visa Germany: Which Visa Should I Apply For?
The national D-Visa is also divided into different visa types based on the purpose of travel. Depending on your intent with a D-Visa application, you will need to provide separate documentation.
1. The D-Visa for Family Reunification in Germany
If you are staying long-term in the Federal Republic of Germany and would like your family to be nearby, you are certainly wishing for family reunification. For this, a D-Visa for Family Reunification is suitable. In the case of family reunification, spouses and minor children may join. You can apply for family reunification if you are a citizen of an EU state and are permanently residing in Germany, or if you are a foreigner holding a residence or settlement permit for Germany.
2. The D-Visa as a Marriage Visa for Germany
If you are a German citizen and want to marry a foreign partner, you will need the Marriage Visa. To marry a foreign partner in Germany, you should first consult with the registry office in your place of residence. For international marriages, foreign documents and certificates often need to be translated and certified! If your registry office has all the necessary documents, your future spouse can apply for the visa for marriage at the appropriate German diplomatic mission. Only with a national D-Visa for Germany can you obtain a residence permit after the marriage. If you apply for a C-Visa and marry in Germany, you must return to your country after the visa expires.
3. The D-Visa as a Student Visa for Germany
If you come from a non-Schengen country and wish to complete a study or study stay in Germany, you would come to Germany for more than three months and need to apply for the D-Visa Germany. In our other articles, you can find everything you need to know about the requirements and application documents for your Student Visa for Germany.
4. The D-Visa as a Language Visa for Germany
If you wish to participate in a German language course that lasts more than 90 days to immerse yourself even deeper in German culture, you will need to apply for a Language Visa for Germany. If the language course lasts less than 90 days, the C-Visa is sufficient. If your language course lasts longer than three months, you will need the language course visa in the form of the national D-Visa.
5. The D-Visa as a Work Visa for Germany
If you are coming to Germany to work in the land of inventions and innovations, you will need a German Work Visa. In principle, you need a national visa for Germany for any form of employment. With this visa, you can only work in Germany. You have the option to extend your visa and convert it into a residence permit. For more relevant information on applying for a work visa, please refer to our resources.
6. The D-Visa as a Training Visa for Germany
If you wish to complete an apprenticeship in the world's fourth largest economy to gain a foothold in the home of renowned companies and corporations and be well-prepared for the German labor market, then the Training Visa Germany in the form of a D-Visa is the right visa for you. In our article on the application for a training visa for Germany, you can read further information and specifics.
What Travel Insurance Do I Need for Germany Visa?
Visa-required travelers who wish to apply for a Germany visa need a travel health insurance that provides sufficient coverage in the Schengen Area for the visa application. With Schengen visa health insurance, destination countries protect themselves from costs that may arise in the event of a medical emergency.
The AXA Insurance Group has three different Schengen health insurance policies in its portfolio specifically for this purpose, which meet the legal requirements of the Schengen states and are recognized by the foreign representations of the Schengen countries. The following three Schengen travel health insurances from AXA cater to the different needs of travelers:
- Low-Cost Insurance: This travel insurance offers the required minimum coverage for just 99 cents per travel day and includes a coverage amount of 30,000 euros for medical emergencies. With this Schengen travel insurance, you can be insured for up to 6 months (or 180 days) for the Schengen area.
- Europe Health Insurance "Europe Travel": This option provides you with not only the basic services but also an extended coverage of up to 100,000 euros. The insured countries include all Schengen countries and all countries of the European Union (including Ireland, Bulgaria, and Romania) as well as the microstates of Liechtenstein, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City. With this Schengen travel insurance, you can be insured for up to 6 months (or 180 days) in the Schengen area.
- AXA Schengen "Multi Trip" as Annual Insurance: This insurance coverage is ideal for you if you are a frequent traveler and come to the Schengen area more than twice a year. However, individual trips must not exceed 90 days!
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FAQ: Types of Visas for Germany
What types of visas are there in Germany?
Depending on your travel purpose and length of stay, there are different types of visas in Germany. For a short-term stay as a tourist or business traveler or for a visit, you need to apply for the C-Visa Germany. If you are staying long-term for studies, employment, or marriage, then you will need the national D-Visa.
What is a D-Visa?
With the D-Visa, you can stay in Germany for more than 3 months, unlike the C-Visa. This national visa must be applied for directly at the foreign representation of the Schengen state where you will be staying long-term.
How much does a visa to Germany cost?
For a national D-Visa, you pay 75 euros. If you come to Germany with a short-term Schengen Visa of category C, the visa fee is 80 euros.
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