What do you need for a visitor visa for Germany?

Depending on the German visa categories , you must submit different documents when applying for a visa at the German Embassy. If you are traveling to visit a family member, friend, or acquaintance living in Germany, it is called a visitor visa. If you are not from the Schengen Area or the EU, you must apply for a Visitor Visa for Germany before entering. If you do not intend to stay longer than 90 days within 6 months in Germany, a Schengen Visa Type C for Short Stays will suffice.
 

Do you need a visitor visa for Germany? Read here how to apply for a Schengen Visa for Germany and which documents you need for that.

Where can I apply for a visitor visa for Germany?

If you are planning a visit to Germany, schedule an appointment with the visa office of the responsible diplomatic mission, where you will submit your complete visa application along with the required supporting documents in person. Once all documents are complete, your application will be forwarded. The diplomatic mission is the German Embassy or a German consulate. You should visit the diplomatic mission responsible for your place of residence. In some countries, the German embassy also works with external service providers who offer locations at other sites. Make sure to submit your visa application only through officially recognized agencies – fraudsters often promise to quickly obtain a Schengen visa for a fee.
 

Where can I get the application form for my visitor visa?

The application for a Schengen visa can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, you can also fill out the application form for the Schengen visa for Germany online on the VIDEX portal. An online assistant will help you complete the form.
 

Note: Please note that for your first visa application, fingerprinting is required, so you cannot submit your application online. Once the fingerprints are recorded, they are stored for the next 5 years.
 

How far in advance should I apply for my visitor visa for Germany?

Submit your visa application as early as possible to ensure that waiting times, delays, or inquiries do not interfere with your travel plans. With the introduction of the new EU visa regulation in February 2020, you can apply up to 6 months before your planned travel. However, on average, it is sufficient to apply about 6 weeks before your departure date. The more carefully you prepare your application documents for your visit to friends or family, the smoother the process will be for obtaining a visitor visa for Germany.
 

What is the cost of applying for a visitor visa?

The application for a visitor visa (Schengen Visa C) costs €80 and for children between 6 and 12 years old, €40. Children under 6 years old and other selected groups, such as students and pupils, are exempt from the fees. If you use a recognized service provider, additional fees may apply.

Applying for a Visitor Visa for Germany: What documents do I need?

In addition to a completed and signed application, you will need other important documents and evidence to apply for your visitor visa for Germany. If you fail to provide requested documents or submit them incomplete, it may result in the rejection of your visitor visa application.
 

Visitor Visa Germany: Checklist of required documents

• Completed and signed Schengen Visa application
• Valid passport: no older than ten years; at least three months valid beyond the end of your trip; at least two empty pages for your visa label
• Two recent biometric passport photos
• A letter stating the purpose of travel
• If applicable, Invitation letter from relatives, friends, or acquaintances: if you are not staying in a hotel but privately, you will need an invitation letter from your host
• Proof of accommodation in Germany (e.g., hotel booking, invitation, and address of the host)
• Travel dates via an entry and return ticket
• Proof of financial means, such as current bank statements
• If your host is covering the costs for travel and stay, this must be evidenced with appropriate documents, and a declaration of commitment from the host must be provided
• Conclusion of a Schengen Visa travel health insurance

For applications for minors who are not traveling with their parents or legal guardians, a birth certificate, proof of custody, and a written and officially certified declaration from the legal guardian must be included, allowing the child or teenager to travel.
 

Note: If you need assistance, you can find sample letters for inviting your family member, friend, or acquaintance on the internet for your visitor visa.

Declaration of Commitment for Visitor Visa: Where can I get the forms?

By submitting a declaration of commitment, the inviter can take on the costs for the stay of a third-country national in Germany if they do not have sufficient means. The German immigration authorities at the residence of the inviter are responsible for receiving such a declaration according to §§ 66 - 68 Residence Act. You can also obtain the corresponding forms there. As part of signing a declaration of commitment, the creditworthiness of the inviter is checked and their signature is notarized. The declaration of commitment for a visitor visa is valid for no longer than 6 months, and there is a fee of €29.

What travel health insurance do I need for a German visitor visa?

To obtain a visitor visa for Germany, you need a travel health insurance that provides a minimum coverage of €30,000 and covers medical emergencies or necessary repatriation to your home country. AXA offers an affordable low-cost insurance, which provides the required coverage starting from €0.99 per day. When you purchase an AXA Schengen travel insurance , you will receive a personal insurance certificate, which you can submit as proof with your application at the embassy or consulate.

Can I extend my visitor visa for Germany?

In principle, a visitor visa in the form of a Schengen Visa Type C is not extendable. However, you can extend your visitor visa if there are reasons of force majeure, humanitarian reasons, or serious personal reasons. You can also apply for an extension if your entry into Germany was delayed and you could not fully utilize your Schengen visa.
 

In such cases, you can apply for an extension at the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) in Berlin. This is stipulated in Article 33 of the EU Visa Code. For more information on how to apply for an extension of your visitor visa for Germany, visit the City of Berlin Service Portal.

You might also be interested in these articles

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• How do I apply for a marriage visa for Germany?
• How do I apply for a work visa for Germany?
• How do I apply for a family reunification visa for Germany?
• How do I apply for a visa for training in Germany?
• How do I apply for a language course visa for Germany?
• Schengen visa Germany: Everything you need to know at a glance
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FAQ: Visitor Visa Germany

Where can I apply for a visitor visa for Germany?

A visitor visa for Germany can be applied for at the competent foreign representation. In Germany, this refers to German embassies and consulates, which are responsible for the respective district.

Do I need an invitation for a visitor visa to Germany?

If you are planning a private visit, you do not need to provide a hotel booking, but you will need an invitation letter from your host along with their address. If you are staying in a hotel, you only need proof of your hotel booking.

How long is a visitor visa for Germany valid?

For a short stay with a Schengen visa, the traveler can stay in the Federal Republic of Germany for a maximum of 90 days at a time within a 180-day period.