Visa Germany for Russians: How to apply for a German visa

If you are coming from Russia and wish to visit Germany, you will need a visa to enter Germany from Russia. Since there is no agreement between Russia and Germany that exempts you from visa requirements, Russians must apply for a Germany visa. In this article, we explain what you need to know about the visa from Russia to Germany.

Do Russians need a visa for Germany?

Russians are subject to visa requirements. If you are coming for a short stay of up to 90 days, a regular Schengen visa is sufficient. With the Schengen visa type C, you can travel from Russia to Germany and stay there for a maximum of 90 days. So, if you want to go on holiday to Germany, a tourist visa for Russians in the form of a Schengen visa will suffice. The same applies to short visits and business trips. The Schengen visa allows you to travel not only to Germany but also to the other 25 countries in the Schengen area. If you plan a longer stay in Germany that exceeds 90 days, you will need a D visa, known as the national visa.

Where can I apply for a visa to Germany in Russia?

You can submit your application for a national visa or Schengen visa at:

• the German Embassy in Moscow
• the Consulate General in Yekaterinburg
• the Consulate General in Kaliningrad
• the Consulate General in Novosibirsk
• the Consulate General in St. Petersburg

You will need to make an appointment, as your fingerprints will be taken and your personal appearance is required. If you are traveling with your entire family from Russia to Germany, you will need to make an appointment for each person. However, the Foreign Office warns of longer waiting times due to limited capacities. Therefore, it is advisable to schedule your visa appointment early before your planned departure and allow plenty of time!

Alternatively, visas for Russians to Germany can also be applied for through the contract partner of the German embassy Visametric. Visa application offices can be found in the following Russian cities:

• Novosibirsk
• Irkutsk
• Khabarovsk
• Krasnoyarsk
• Omsk
• Vladivostok
• Moscow
• Kazan
• Krasnodar
• Nizhny Novgorod
• Rostov-on-Don
• Samara
• Saratov
• Yekaterinburg
• Perm
• Ufa
• St. Petersburg
• Arkhangelsk
• Vologda
• Kaliningrad

If you are traveling with more than ten people, you must make an appointment. This saves you a trip to the German embassy or consulates, but you should expect additional fees for this service.

Note: Visametric processes all applications for Schengen visas from Russia to Germany. However, for a national visa, it is not possible to apply for a visa through Visametric for all purposes of stay. Please inquire in advance with the respective branch.

Visa Russia Germany: How can I invite relatives to Germany?

If you live in Germany and wish to invite family and friends to Germany, you must apply for a visitor visa for entry from Russia to Germany. The invitation letter will explain the reason for the invitation. This document is submitted with the visa application.

What do you need for the invitation to Germany?

For an invitation for a visa from Russia to Germany, the inviting host can issue the invitation in simple written form. There are templates and examples available online for how an invitation letter to Germany can look.
Good to know: There is no specific form for an invitation letter; rather, the content and reason for the visit are more important!

Entry from Russia to Germany: Special features of the visitor visa

If it is a visitor visa and you plan to stay privately in Germany or if your trip from Russia to Germany is even funded by a host in Germany, you will need to present a declaration of commitment from the inviting person along with the invitation letter. The inviting host or sponsor must make an appointment with the local immigration office to verify their identity and financial capacity. An invitation letter is also required for a business trip. Have the inviting company confirm the purpose of the trip and possibly the assumption of travel costs in an official letter.

What documents do Russians need for a German visa?

To apply for a Schengen visa for a short stay, you must first complete the application form. Additionally, you will need the following documents:

• A passport that is valid for three months after your return and has space for the visa sticker (two blank pages) and a copy of the first page of the passport with your personal information
• Two recent biometric passport photos (35mm x 45mm) against a light background, without head covering
• A valid travel health insurance covering the entire travel duration and with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies
• Proof of accommodation: Confirmed reservation in your name (hotel, youth hostel, or campsite)
• Proof of travel: Confirmed flight tickets, train, or bus tickets. If traveling by car, you must provide a detailed travel plan along with documentation for your vehicle (copy of the driver's license and vehicle registration as well as the international insurance policy)
• Proof of financing: Bank statements for the past three months, savings account, or declaration of commitment
• Proof of employment: Employer's letter, student certificate, pension proof, or for self-employed individuals, proof of registration in the commercial register or business registration
• Proof of a legitimate interest in returning to the Russian Federation: Close relatives, property, or vehicles

Note: If you wish to stay in Germany with a Germany visa for Russians for more than 90 days or take up work, you must apply for a national visa. Depending on the purpose of your trip, you will need to submit different or additional forms for your visa application.

Processing time for visas from Russia to Germany

Normally, the processing time for a Schengen visa application is two weeks.
Prepare well and submit all necessary documents to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible. Russians can already apply for a German visa up to three months before their desired travel start. In case of an emergency, an express visa can also be applied for. However, this incurs higher costs! For a national visa, you should expect several months of processing time.

How much does a German visa cost for Russians?

You will pay €35 for a visa to Germany from Russia for a short-term visa (Schengen visa type C). The express visa costs double the price, bringing the total to €70. The national visa for Russians to Germany costs €75. If you apply for your German visa in Russia through the official partner Visametric, an additional fee of around €20 will be charged.

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What is the cost of a visa for Germany in Russia?

The consular fee for a Schengen Visa Type C is 35 euros. Citizens of the Russian Federation pay less than other countries due to a visa facilitation agreement. If you need the C visa as an express service, it costs 70 euros. The Schengen Visa Type D (national visa for Germany) costs 75 euros.

How long can a Russian stay in Germany?

With the Schengen Visa Type C, a Russian can stay in Germany for up to a maximum of 90 days. The 90/180-day rule should be considered: within a six-month period, citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Germany and the Schengen Zone for a maximum of 90 days. For a longer stay, you need the Schengen Visa Type D - the national visa.

What is needed for an invitation to Germany?

In the invitation letter, the content is more important than the form. Certain information is absolutely required in the invitation letter to Germany. This includes the personal details of the visitor as well as the inviting host, such as name, first name, date of birth, place of birth, home address, and passport number.