EuropeSelect the passports you hold to see short-stay access and per-route eligibility for Germany.
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals (e.g. US, UK, Canada, Japan). Valid 3 years for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. We apply on your behalf end-to-end. Fees illustrative.
Tourist Visa
Short-stay visa for tourism: up to 90 days within any 180-day period. We prepare your forms and documents; you attend the consulate/VFS appointment to submit biometrics. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Transit Visa
Required by some nationalities to pass through the international transit area of a Schengen airport without entering. Whether you need one depends on your nationality. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Business Visitor Visa
Short-stay visa for business trips (meetings, conferences, negotiations): up to 90 days within any 180-day period. We prepare forms and documents; you submit at the consulate/VFS. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Not yet researched
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
For stays over 90 days to study. Issued under national rules -- apply at the consulate of your destination country. We guide you; submission is in person. Fees and processing times vary by country.
Student Visa
For admission to a German university or preparatory course (Studienkolleg). Financial proof of EUR 11,904/year (EUR 992/month, unchanged for 2026), usually via blocked account; students may work 140 full days (or 280 half days) per year. Residence permit issued for 1-2 years and extendable; graduates get an 18-month job-search permit and can reach a settlement permit 2 years after graduation in qualified work.
Language Course Visa
For attending an intensive German course (at least 18 lessons/week) not linked to university study; stays of 3 to 12 months. Requires enrolment with fees paid and financial proof of EUR 1,091.20/month (EUR 13,094.40/year, 2026 value), typically via blocked account. Employment is not permitted; switching to study or work permits from within Germany is restricted.
Internship / Trainee Visa
For students enrolled abroad (or graduates within 2 years of graduation) doing an internship in Germany related to their field of study. Requires an internship agreement, approval by the Federal Employment Agency (ZAV) even for unpaid internships, and the host's written commitment to cover living and return-travel costs. Issued for the internship duration; EU/EU-funded programme internships (e.g. Erasmus+) have simplified rules.
Exchange Program Visa
Cultural-exchange stay for non-EU nationals aged 18-26 living with a German-speaking host family for 6-12 months; basic German (around A1) is required and a prior au pair stay in Germany disqualifies. The host family provides board, lodging, insurance and at least EUR 280/month pocket money; Federal Employment Agency approval is required. Not extendable beyond 12 months and not a path to residence.
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Digital Nomad Visa
Germany has never offered a dedicated digital nomad visa (as of June 2026); the freelance permit under Section 21(5) AufenthG is the closest available route and generally expects German/local clients.
Freelancer Visa
For liberal professions (Freiberufler) such as IT consultants, doctors, lawyers, artists, journalists and designers; Germany has no dedicated digital nomad visa, so this is the closest route. Applicants must show they can finance the activity and their living costs (no fixed statutory income threshold), hold any required professional licence, and applicants over 45 need adequate pension provisions. Initial permit up to 3 years (residence permit fee up to EUR 100, national visa EUR 75); settlement permit possible after 5 years.
Self-Employment Visa
For founders of a commercial business (Gewerbe) in Germany. The business must serve an economic interest or regional need, be expected to have a positive economic impact, and be financed by own capital or a loan commitment; the local chamber of commerce (IHK) assesses the business plan. No statutory minimum investment since 2012 (in practice substantial capital strengthens the case); permit up to 3 years, settlement permit possible after 3 years if the business succeeds.
Skilled Work Visa
For stays over 90 days to work. Requires employer sponsorship / a work permit before you can apply, so eligibility is conditional. Issued under national rules -- apply at the consulate of your destination country. Fees and processing times vary by country.
Skilled Work Visa
For workers with a German-recognised vocational qualification (Section 18a) or university degree (Section 18b) and a qualified job offer; Federal Employment Agency approval required, salary must match local market/collective-agreement rates. First-time applicants aged 45+ must earn at least EUR 55,770 gross/year (2026) or prove adequate pension provision. Permit up to 4 years; settlement permit possible after 3 years (2 years for German university graduates).
Skilled Work Visa
Employment route without formal German recognition of qualifications, used heavily by IT specialists: requires a foreign vocational qualification or degree (state-recognised in the country of training), at least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the last 5 years, and a job offer paying at least EUR 45,630 gross/year (2026, 45% of the pension contribution ceiling) unless the employer is bound by a collective agreement. For IT specialists, proven experience can replace the formal qualification entirely. Leads to standard extension and settlement-permit options.
Skilled Work Visa
For university graduates (and IT specialists with 3+ years of experience in the last 7 years even without a degree) with a German job offer. 2026 salary thresholds: EUR 50,700 gross/year general, EUR 45,934.20 for bottleneck professions (IT, engineering, natural sciences, medicine) and new entrants who graduated within 3 years. Issued for contract length plus 3 months, max 4 years; settlement permit after 27 months (21 months with German B1); facilitated family reunification without language requirement.
Skilled Work Visa
Points-based job-seeker permit (mapped here to skilled_work; it is a job-search card, not an employment permit itself): fully recognised foreign qualification grants direct eligibility, otherwise at least 6 points for qualification, experience, German/English skills, age and Germany ties, plus German A1 or English B2. Requires proof of funds of about EUR 1,091/month (2026; blocked account of EUR 13,092/year or a 20h/week part-time job offer). Valid up to 1 year with part-time work (20h/week) and trial work allowed; can be followed by a 2-year extension once qualified employment is found.
Seasonal Work Visa
Quota-based short-term work route (25,000 BA work permits/year) for any nationality regardless of qualification, used for peak demand in hospitality, catering, airports and agriculture. Employment max 8 months within any 12-month period, minimum 30 hours/week, employer must be bound by a collective agreement, pay accordingly, cover travel costs and may hire at most 10 such workers per year. Employer applies to the Federal Employment Agency; visa-required nationals then obtain a visa/residence title.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
For managers, specialists and trainees transferred from a non-EU entity to a German branch of the same company group. Requires at least 6 months' prior employment in the group (transfer itself must exceed 90 days), a valid work contract/assignment letter and Federal Employment Agency approval; pay must match comparable German workers. Valid for the transfer duration up to 3 years (trainees 1 year); includes EU intra-mobility, and a Mobile-ICT card covers transfers already holding another EU member state's ICT permit.
Not yet researched
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Business Investor Visa
The former fixed requirement (EUR 250,000 investment / 5 jobs) was abolished in 2012; self-employment permits are now assessed case-by-case with no golden-visa-style route in Germany.
Not yet researched
Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Working Holiday Visa
For young people aged 18-30 (South Koreans up to 34, Canadians up to 35 under Youth Mobility) from partner countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, Uruguay, plus the Canada Youth Mobility agreement. Allows a stay of up to 12 months with holiday jobs permitted to fund the trip; proof of funds and health insurance required. Australians, Israelis, Japanese and New Zealanders may apply at any German mission or after arrival in Germany.
Not yet researched
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Family Reunification Visa
For spouses and minor children joining a non-EU national holding a German residence title. The sponsor must have adequate housing and secure livelihood without public benefits; spouses must generally prove basic German (A1) and both be 18+, with exemptions for spouses of EU Blue Card, skilled-worker and researcher permit holders. The permit's validity follows the sponsor's title and allows full work access; minors over 16 joining alone face additional integration requirements.
Spouse / Partner Visa
For spouses and registered same-sex partners of German citizens habitually resident in Germany; both partners must be 18+ and the foreign spouse generally needs basic German (A1), with hardship exceptions. Unlike reunification with foreigners, securing a livelihood is generally not a precondition. The residence permit (usually 3 years) allows full work access; settlement permit possible after 3 years and naturalisation typically after 3 years of marriage and residence.
Ancestry / Repatriation
Citizenship (not a visa) for people deprived of German citizenship on political, racial or religious grounds between 1933 and 1945 and all their descendants (Art. 116(2) Basic Law), plus, since August 2021, Section 15 StAG for those who lost, renounced or were denied citizenship due to Nazi persecution in other ways. Applications go to the Federal Office of Administration (BVA), are free of charge, require no residence in Germany or language test, and dual citizenship is permitted. A related repatriation track (Spätaussiedler under the BVFG) exists for ethnic Germans from the former USSR.
Not yet researched
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Talent / Highly Skilled Visa
For researchers with a doctorate or doctoral-entry degree who conclude a hosting agreement or contract with a recognised German research institution; the institution commits to cover living and return costs unless publicly funded. Issued for at least 1 year (or project length), allows teaching alongside research and EU short-term research mobility; family members get work access and no language requirement. Settlement permit possible after 4 years (or faster via Blue Card routes).
Permanent Residence
Permanent residence after holding a residence permit for 5 years with secured livelihood, 60 months of pension contributions, adequate German (B1 for the general route) and housing. Faster tracks: skilled workers after 3 years, German university graduates after 2 years, EU Blue Card holders after 27 months (21 with B1), spouses of Germans after 3 years. Fee EUR 113 (EUR 124 self-employed, EUR 147 highly qualified); the parallel EU long-term residence permit (Section 9a) adds intra-EU mobility.
Not yet researched
Data verified against official sources — see how.
Completed application form
Complete the official visa or residence application form for your destination. Most consulates now use an online portal where you fill in the form, upload documents and book an appointment; print and sign the confirmation page.
| Issued by | Destination consulate / immigration portal |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Usually free (the visa fee is separate) |
| Typical time | 30–60 minutes to complete |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Passport
Apply for or renew your passport at your country's passport authority (often the foreign-affairs or interior ministry, a passport office or designated post office). Most visa portals want a clear colour scan of the bio-data page; keep the passport valid at least 6 months beyond your trip with two blank pages.
| Issued by | National passport authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $20–$150 |
| Typical time | 1–6 weeks (expedited often available) |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Passport photo
Have a recent passport photo taken at a pharmacy, photo booth or photographer, or use a compliant online photo tool. The common size is 35×45 mm with a plain light background, neutral expression and no glasses; the US and a few others require 2×2 in (51×51 mm). Get 2–4 prints plus a digital copy.
| Issued by | Any photographer or photo booth (ICAO 9303 standard) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $5–$15 |
| Typical time | Same day |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Travel medical insurance
Buy a travel-medical insurance policy covering your whole trip and every destination country, then print the certificate. For the Schengen Area the EU Visa Code requires at least €30,000 of cover for medical emergencies and repatriation, valid across all member states.
| Issued by | Any approved insurer |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $10–$60 per trip |
| Typical time | Immediate |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of accommodation
Show where you will stay: a hotel booking, a signed tenancy/lease, a host's invitation with their address, or an address-registration document. For longer stays a registered rental contract is usually expected.
| Issued by | Landlord / host / municipality |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Return / onward ticket
Provide a flight reservation or an onward/return ticket itinerary. Many travellers use a held reservation (not a paid ticket) from an airline, travel agent or flight-itinerary service so they are not committed before the visa is granted.
| Issued by | Airline / travel agent |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$30 for a reservation |
| Typical time | Same day |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of sufficient funds
Show you can support your stay using bank statements, a salary or pension certificate, a sponsorship/affidavit of support, or evidence of savings or income that meets the published minimum for the visa. Combine several documents if one is not enough.
| Issued by | Your bank / employer / sponsor |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$20 |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
University admission letter
Once you are accepted, request an admission/acceptance letter or certificate of enrolment from the school or university's admissions or registrar office. It should confirm the programme, the dates and that tuition is arranged.
| Issued by | School / university (admissions office) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Usually free |
| Typical time | A few days–2 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of qualifications
Use your original diploma or degree certificate; for a replacement or official copy, ask the issuing institution's registrar. For use abroad it usually needs to be apostilled or legalised and translated.
| Issued by | Issuing institution / education ministry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 (plus apostille) |
| Typical time | Days–weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Language proficiency
Take the required language test (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL for English, DELF/TCF for French, Goethe or telc for German, or a national integration exam) at an accredited test centre and collect the certificate. Book early, as test slots fill up.
| Issued by | Accredited test provider |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $100–$300 |
| Typical time | 2–6 weeks including results |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Motivation letter
Write a signed cover or motivation letter explaining the purpose of your trip or application, your plans and your ties to your home country, addressed to the consulate. You prepare this yourself.
| Issued by | Self-prepared |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Free |
| Typical time | Same day |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
ZAV approval
Request a letter on company letterhead from your employer stating your position, start date, salary and that your leave or continued employment is approved, signed by HR or a manager. For work visas this may instead be a formal work permit or job-offer letter issued by the employer or labour authority.
| Issued by | Employer (HR) / labour authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Free |
| Typical time | A few days |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Au pair contract
Obtain a signed copy of your employment contract from your employer's HR. It should show the parties, job title, salary, duration and signatures; some consulates want it stamped or, for work visas, registered with the labour authority.
| Issued by | Employer / labour authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Free |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Business/financing plan
Prepare a business or project plan describing the activity, market, financial projections and job creation. You usually write this yourself; some startup or investor visas require it to follow a set template or be reviewed by an approved incubator.
| Issued by | Self-prepared (sometimes incubator-endorsed) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–consultant fee |
| Typical time | Varies |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Client letters of intent
Have your sponsor sign a letter or affidavit of support undertaking to cover your costs, attaching their ID and proof of funds or income. Some countries require a notarised affidavit or an official guarantee form.
| Issued by | Sponsor (sometimes notarised) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Days |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
References / CV
Write an up-to-date CV/résumé listing your education and work history. Some visas ask for the Europass format or a signed and dated version; you prepare this yourself.
| Issued by | Self-prepared |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Free |
| Typical time | Same day |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Professional licence
Get an up-to-date extract from the commercial/companies register (chamber of commerce or trade registry) showing your company's registration, or your trade or professional licence. Many registries issue this online for a small fee.
| Issued by | Commercial register / chamber of commerce |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Marriage/birth certificate
Order a certified copy of your birth certificate from the civil-registry/vital-records office where you were born (often available online). For foreign use it usually needs an apostille or legalisation and a translation.
| Issued by | Civil registry / vital records |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $10–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–3 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Marriage/partnership certificate
Order a certified copy of your marriage (or divorce) certificate from the civil registry that recorded it. For foreign use add an apostille or legalisation and a certified translation.
| Issued by | Civil registry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $10–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–3 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
German spouse's ID
Prove the family link with civil documents — marriage and birth certificates connecting you to the relative, a family or household register, or, for unmarried partners, evidence of cohabitation (joint lease, bills, photos). Civil documents often need an apostille and translation.
| Issued by | Civil registry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Varies |
| Typical time | Days–weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Evidence of persecution/loss of citizenship
Obtain a national ID card or a citizenship/nationality certificate from your civil-registry or interior ministry. For ancestry- or origin-based routes, request the birth, naturalisation or archive records that prove the qualifying lineage.
| Issued by | Civil registry / interior ministry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–several weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Criminal record information
Request a criminal-record certificate from your country's police or justice/interior ministry — many issue it through a national online portal, sometimes requiring fingerprints. For foreign use it usually must be apostilled or legalised and translated, and most consulates accept one issued within the last 3–6 months.
| Issued by | National police / justice ministry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | A few days–4 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of doctorate or qualifying degree
Book a medical examination with a doctor or, where required, a clinic on the consulate's approved-panel list. Tests may include a general exam, a chest X-ray/TB screening and blood tests; the clinic issues the certificate directly.
| Issued by | Licensed doctor / panel clinic |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $30–$200 |
| Typical time | 1–2 weeks including results |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
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