Do you have friends from abroad who would like to visit you in Germany? Or do you want to invite potential business partners to Germany? In both cases, you should be aware that citizens of certain third countries are required to obtain a visa for Germany and the Schengen area. Find out whether your private or business guest needs to apply for a visa for Germany.
If your guest needs a visa for Germany, they must submit an invitation letter when applying for the visa. Are you wondering how to draft an invitation to Germany? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about invitation letters for Germany.
Why is an invitation letter necessary for a Germany visa?
If you are inviting friends, relatives, or a foreign business partner to Germany and they are subject to visa requirements, your visitor must present an invitation letter proving that they have been invited by you for a specific reason.
How can I invite relatives to Germany?
Not all foreign nationals can visit you without restrictions! If you are inviting friends or family, they will need a visitor visa. For foreign business partners, a business visa for Germany would be required. In both cases, an invitation letter to Germany must be written in a simple format!
The invitation letter for the visa must be submitted to the German diplomatic mission in the visitor's home country. The German embassy or consulate will then determine whether a visa for Germany is granted for a private or business visit. That is why the invitation to Germany is so crucial!
What should an invitation letter for foreign visitors include?
There is no specific format for an invitation letter. Instead, the content is what matters. Whether you are writing an invitation for foreign visitors or international business partners, your invitation to Germany should include the following elements:
- Full name, address, and contact details (including phone number and email) of the host or inviting company
- Full name of the invited guest, their address, and date of birth
- Reason for the visit/business visit
- Duration of stay
- Date and signature of the host/company representative
In your visa invitation letter, feel free to elaborate on the reason for the visit. Explain the exact family relationship or mention how long you have known each other and why the visit should take place at this specific time. A business visit should also be justified!
Good to know: If you are not a German citizen, you must submit a copy of your residence permit!
How much does an invitation to Germany cost?
The invitation letter can be written in a simple format and submitted with the visa application. A simple invitation letter is therefore free of charge. You can find samples and templates online on how your invitation to Germany should look—whether for business people or private visitors. Additionally, it must be ensured that the guest can afford the trip. For the visa application for Germany, the guest must provide proof of financial resources with bank statements or salary slips. The visa application process also aims to ensure that the host country does not incur any costs! If this is not the case, a declaration of commitment is also required. A processing fee of 29 euros is charged per declaration of commitment along with the invitation.
What is a declaration of commitment?
If your guest does not have sufficient financial resources, the host must issue a declaration of commitment, guaranteeing to cover all costs incurred during the trip. The declaration of commitment covers accommodation, meals, and all other expenses that may arise during the stay. A business visit may also require a declaration of commitment!
Are there templates for a declaration of commitment?
There are official templates for the declaration of commitment, which you can obtain from the competent immigration office at your place of residence. If you need to submit a declaration of commitment, your creditworthiness will be checked. Schedule a personal appointment with your local immigration office to prove your financial ability and have your signature certified! Only with an invitation and, if necessary, a declaration of commitment can the foreign mission decide on the German visa.
Important: Never send an invitation letter for a visa or a declaration of commitment unsolicited to a German embassy or consulate. Generally, you send the invitation for a Germany visa to the visa applicant, who then submits the documents with the visa application.
What is needed for a visitor visa to Germany?
Regardless of whether the applicant is invited privately or by business people to Germany, in most cases, this involves a short stay of less than 90 days. If this applies, a Schengen visa type C must be applied for. In addition to the invitation letter for a visa, adequate health insurance is always required for the stay in Europe! Your travel health insurance should have a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros to cover possible hospitalization and repatriation costs.
Adequate travel insurance is mandatory for foreign visitors
AXA offers various travel insurance plans that are accepted by the foreign missions of Schengen countries for travel in Europe. The most affordable AXA Schengen insurance plan that meets all visa requirements is the low-cost insurance, which costs just 22 euros per week! If you want additional coverage beyond the basic benefits, the Europe Travel health insurance plan is the right choice for you, costing only 33 euros per travel week.
Good to know: The host can also take out AXA health insurance as an incoming travel insurance for their foreign guest!
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- Schengen Visa Germany: Everything you need to know
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