"You can build something beautiful even from stones that are put in front of you to stumble upon." (Auch aus Steinen, die einem in den Weg gelegt werden, kann man Schones bauen)- famous writer Goethe. It is one of my favorite quotes from Germany. Creating something new and beautiful depends on us entirely. Everyone has a list of things to do before dying. I don't know what is on your list, but one of the goals on my list is visiting Germany. More than 38 million people travel to Germany per year. It makes Germany one of the ten most visited countries in the world. I do not doubt that there are many among our readers who have such a desire. Considering this, we decided to talk about a visitor visa to Germany. In this blog, you will get answers to these questions: how to apply for Germany visitor visa, what are the Germany visitor visa requirements, what is checklist for Germany business visa, how much are Germany visitor visa fees, and more.
Germany visa policy
If you are not from one of the visa-free countries, you will need to apply for Germany visitor visa. We can divide German visas into three categories, depending on the length of stay and the purpose of the visit. These categories are: • Schengen Visa- Short-stay Visa • Airport Transit Visa • National Visa- Long-stay Visa The Schengen visa allows visiting Germany for a maximum of 90 days every six months. Short-stay visa has the subcategories shown below: • Germany Tourist Visa • Germany Business/Congress/Trade Fair Visit Visa • Germany Medical Treatment Visa • Germany Cultural, Scientific, Sports Events Visa • Germany Visiting Family and Friends Visa • Germany Visa for Spouses / Relative of EU / German Nationals • Germany Study (Schengen) Visa • Germany Work (Schengen) Visa Foreigners who want to stay more than 90 days can apply for a national visa. Depending on the purpose of the visit, it has various subcategories: • Germany Employment Visa & Blue Card • Germany Job Seeker Visa • Germany Self-Employment Visa • Germany Study (National) Visa • Germany Family Reunion Visa • Germany Medical Treatment Visa • Germany Au Pair Visa
How to apply for Germany visitor visa?
You will need to finish several steps to obtain your visitor visa to Germany. As Germany is a Schengen area country, the application process is almost the same as other countries. The steps of the visa applications process are: • Collecting required documents • Appointing an interview • Paying the visa fee • Attending the interview • Waiting for processing There are plenty of tourist activities in Germany. Local cuisine, beautiful and historical German cities will mesmerize you. One of the fascinating things about Germany is castles. There are more than 20000 castles in Germany and people who want to travel back in time love to visit Germany and walk around in those castles. But how much time do I have? How long does visa validity last? The visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days at most per 180 days.
Required documents for visitor visa
Of course, when we decide to get a visa for any country, we should collect the necessary documents, provide some details, and answer Germany visitor visa requirements. We advise all applicants to prepare a visa checklist. You can plan your application through the checklist and be sure that you have all the required documents. Also, prepare it for other visa applications (for example, checklist for Germany business visa) too. • Germany visitor visa application form. The applicants must fully complete the Germany visitor visa application form in English or German, sign, and date (parents must sign for minors). • Passport. It must have a minimum validity of three months beyond your planned stay in Schengen, with at least two blank visa pages. It should not be older than ten years. Also, the bearer must sign, and photos should securely be affixed to the passport. • Two Photos. Photos should not be older than six months. A frontal view of the face must cover 70-80% of the photo. On the light background, with open facial features and eyes. • Copy of ID card. Validity at least three months after the departure date from Germany. • Residence permit/visa copy. As in the ID card, validity must be a minimum of three months beyond the departure date from Germany (if the residency and citizenship of the applicant are different). • Photocopies. Copy of the main page of your passport, copies of earlier Schengen visas, and visa for the final destination (if you have). • Travel itinerary. Applicants must present evidence of flight tickets and accommodation reservations. The document about accommodation reservations (hotel, hostel, and so on) must contain all details, such as name, street, city, zip code, contact details, and booking reference. • Letter from a local employer or sponsor; Applicants need to present a letter from the local employer. Furthermore, the applicants must provide details of the employer or a company (name, postal address, and telephone number ). If the person is an owner of the company, a valid business license copy, company ownership documents should be provided. • Proof of financial means. People should have sufficient funds to cover their expenses, such as rent, food, municipality, and so on. Applicants can give these documents as evidence: for example, personal bank statements of at least the last three months before application, personal property, assets, etc. • Overseas medical insurance. It should be valid for the entire duration of the visa (for all Schengen countries) and must cover at least 30,000 EURO (insurances of credit cards are not accepted). • Papers for children. If the applicant travels with the children, he (she) needs to present several documents related to them.
Germany visitor visa fees
After presenting the necessary documents, the next move is to pay the charge. How much is it? The fee for the Schengen visas is 80 EURO since 02 February 2020. People may also need to pay additional administrative fees such as the visa application center fee, courier service fee, etc., (depends on the country and location of documents' submission). Is the amount of payment the same for everyone? No, there are some nationalities that pay discount versions because of the agreement. They will pay 35 EURO. The agreement has been signed between the EU and these countries: • Albania • Armenia • Azerbaijan • Bosnia and Herzegovina • Georgia • Kosovo • North Macedonia • Moldova • Montenegro • Russia • Serbia • Ukraine
People who are free from visa fee
Besides the countries mentioned above, some people are totally free from visa fees. The same rule applies to all Schengen area countries. • Researchers from third countries traveling within the European Community for the purpose of carrying out scientific research as defined in Recommendation 2005/761/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005 • School students, undergraduates, postgraduates, and accompanying teaching staff who want to travel for the purpose of study or training • Representatives of non-profit organizations (25 years old or less) joining seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations • Spouses, same-sex partners, and minor single children of German citizens • Parents of minor German residents • Family members of EU/EEA nationals • Children under six • Those traveling for the "replacement" of an old, valid visa in a "full" travel document (one that has no empty pages) with a new visa valid for the same period in the applicant's new travel document
Visa processing time
The next step that I want to mention is processing time. After providing all documents, paying the fees, and participating in an interview, you will wait for processing. How long does it take? The average processing time for a visa is approximately 15 calendar days. Keep in mind that you should submit your visa application not earlier than six months.
Reason for visa rejection
Applicants need to be attentive during the Schengen visa application process. Thousands of people apply for a Schengen visa per year. It is not hard to guess that not all of them get positive answers. There are many people who get rejection after they apply for Germany visitor visa. Why do people get a refusal at the end of their application? There can be various reasons for failing. • Financial means. Applicants should have sufficient money to fund their visit to Germany or any Schengen country. All foreigners should cover all of their expenses such as eating, accommodation, purchasing, and so on • Criminal record. People who have a criminal record have low opportunities to get a good answer after a visa application • Incorrect or lack of documents. Present all of the required documents and do not try to cheat during the application • The passport may not have enough validity • Having stayed more than 90 days within 180 days
Where can I apply?
Candidates can submit their visa applications in visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever is responsible for visa applications in their country of residence. If none of them are available in your country, you should apply to the closest embassy or consulate to your location. I hope the information that you read here will be helpful during your visa application process. Follow the rules and try to fit all requirements.
