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Visa Information in English
Schengen Visum, © colourbox
Information on the visa procedure for a long-term stay in Germany
Checklist visa application
- Put together the application documents listed below. Missing documents can lead to the rejection of the application. All documents must be submitted as originals with 2 photocopies each. Originals and the passport are not withheld.
- To apply for a visa, you have to come to the embassy in person.
Foreign-language documents must be submitted with a translation into German. At www.justiz-dolmetscher.de you will find a translator database from the ‚Landesjustizverwaltungen‘.
All copies must be presented in A4 format
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Important information
- The decision to issue a visa may require the submission of further documents in individual cases.
- Your visa application will be processed as quickly as possible. The embassy will contact you if there are any further questions or after completing the visa procedure. Please refrain from inquiring about the processing status.
- You can finally pick up the issued visa by presenting your passport at the embassy.
- Due to the new version of Section 26 (2) BeschV (Western Balkans regulation), since January 1st, 2021, nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia can only apply for a visa according to this regulation to the competent diplomatic mission in one of these six countries. It is no longer possible to submit an application to the Embassy in Helsinki.
Argentinian, Chilean and Uruguayan nationals can apply for a working holiday visa at any German mission abroad. As a rule, only nationals of these three countries can apply for these visas at the Embassy in Helsinki. Please contact the embassy by email if you would like to apply for a Working Holiday Visa and state your nationality. The embassy will then check whether an appointment is available and inform you which documents you need to submit.
Documents required for working in Germany
Documents required for university studies
Documents required for an internship that is part of your studies
Documents required for family reunification with foreign family members
Visa-Navigator
Which visa do I need for Germany?
I want to travel to Germany as a tourist, on business, for my studies, to work, or to join family members who live there.
Which visa should I apply for?