# 🇩🇪 Germany — visa routes > Verified visa and immigration data for Germany from VisaPassage. > Canonical page: https://visapassage.com/destinations/germany 26 routes with deep coverage. Every entry below is checked against official sources and carries its own verification date. Statuses describe typical eligibility — they are never a promise of approval; individual applications require review. ## Short visits by passport - **United States**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days - **United Kingdom**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days - **India**: Visa required · apply before travel - **Canada**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days - **Australia**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days Other passports: check https://visapassage.com/visa-checker for your specific passports. ## Visit | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ETIAS travel authorisation | Travel authorisation · typically eligible | 90 days | €7 | €19 | 4 days | | Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) -- tourism | Consular visa · typically eligible | 90 days | €90 | €49 | 15 days | | Airport transit visa (Type A) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €90 | €39 | 15 days | | Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) -- business | Consular visa · typically eligible | 90 days | €90 | €49 | 15 days | - **Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) -- tourism** — Key documents: Completed application form, Passport, Passport photo, Travel medical insurance, Proof of accommodation, Return / onward ticket, Proof of sufficient funds ## Study & Training | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | National long-stay visa (Type D) -- study | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | €200 | — | | Germany Student Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €200 | — | | Germany Language Course Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 365 days | €75 | €200 | 63 days | | Germany Internship Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €200 | — | | Germany Au Pair Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 365 days | €75 | €200 | — | - **Germany Student Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, University admission letter, Proof of financial means, Proof of qualifications, Health insurance · Rights: Work: 140 full or 280 half days/year · Study: Primary purpose; enrolment required · Residency: Via post-study job permit, then PR · Family: Conditional: must prove finances & housing · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany Language Course Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Course enrolment confirmation, Proof of financial means, Health insurance · Rights: Study: Language course only, not academic study · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: kuwait.diplo.de - **Germany Internship Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Internship agreement, ZAV approval, Proof of enrolment or recent degree, Cost-coverage declaration, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Internship activity only, no outside work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany Au Pair Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Au pair contract, Proof of basic German, Host family details, Insurance confirmation · Rights: Work: up to 30 h/week · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: stadt.muenchen.de ## Work & Self-Employment | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Digital nomad visa | Not available | — | — | — | — | | Germany Freelance Residence Permit (Freiberufler) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €250 | — | | Germany Self-Employment Residence Permit | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €250 | — | | National long-stay visa (Type D) -- work | Consular visa · Conditional | — | — | €200 | — | | Germany Skilled Worker Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €200 | — | | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Consular visa · typically eligible | 365 days | €75 | €200 | — | | Germany EU Blue Card | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €200 | 56 days | | Germany Visa for Professionally Experienced Workers (incl. IT Specialists without Degree) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €200 | — | | Germany Short-Term Contingent Employment Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 240 days | €75 | €200 | — | | Germany ICT Card | Consular visa · typically eligible | 1,095 days | €75 | €250 | — | - **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. · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany Freelance Residence Permit (Freiberufler)** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Business/financing plan, Client letters of intent, Proof of qualifications, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Freelance, permit-tied · Residency after 5 years · Family: Spouse may work; children included · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany Self-Employment Residence Permit** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Business plan, Proof of capital/financing, CV and qualifications, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Self-employed, permit-tied · Residency after 3 years · Family: Spouse may work; children may join · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany Skilled Worker Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Employment contract or binding job offer, Recognition of qualification, Declaration of employment, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Full-time, employer-tied · Residency after 3 years · Family: Spouse no German pre-test; kids included · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Proof of qualification, Language certificates, Proof of financial means, Points self-assessment evidence, Health insurance · Rights: Work: up to 20 h/week · Family: No spouse on card; children if funds covered · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany EU Blue Card** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Employment contract or binding job offer, University degree, Declaration of employment, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Full-time, employer-tied first 12 mo · Residency: PR in 21 mo with B1 German, else 27 mo · Family: Spouse: immediate work, no German req · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany Visa for Professionally Experienced Workers (incl. IT Specialists without Degree)** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Employment contract or job offer, Proof of professional experience, Qualification from country of origin, Declaration of employment, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Full-time, employer-tied · Residency after 3 years · Family: Spouse and minor children may join · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com - **Germany Short-Term Contingent Employment Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, BA work permit, Employment declaration, National visa application, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Full-time, seasonal, employer-tied · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: arbeitsagentur.de - **Germany ICT Card** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Work contract and assignment letter, Proof of prior group employment, Proof of professional qualifications, Federal Employment Agency approval, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Full-time, employer-tied · Family: Spouse/children may join; spouse can work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: stadt.muenchen.de ## Invest & Capital | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Statutory investor threshold under Section 21(1) AufenthG | Not available | — | — | — | — | - **Statutory investor threshold under Section 21(1) AufenthG** — 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. · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: make-it-in-germany.com ## Retire & Lifestyle | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Germany Working Holiday Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 365 days | €75 | €200 | — | - **Germany Working Holiday Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Proof of financial means, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Work to fund stay; ~6 mo/employer · Study: Short courses only; not main purpose · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: auswaertiges-amt.de ## Family & Origin | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Germany Family Reunification Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €250 | — | | Germany Spouse of a German Citizen Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €250 | — | | German Citizenship Restoration (Art. 116(2) GG / Section 15 StAG) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €0 | — | — | - **Germany Family Reunification Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Marriage/birth certificate, Sponsor's residence title and passport, Proof of income, Proof of adequate housing, German A1 certificate (spouses), Health insurance · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: welcome.hamburg.com - **Germany Spouse of a German Citizen Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Marriage/partnership certificate, German spouse's ID, German A1 certificate, Health insurance · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: service.berlin.de - **German Citizenship Restoration (Art. 116(2) GG / Section 15 StAG)** — Key documents: Application form (BVA), Proof of ancestor's German citizenship/residence, Evidence of persecution/loss of citizenship, Proof of descent, Applicant identity documents · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: bva.bund.de ## Special Categories | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Germany Researcher Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €75 | €250 | — | | Germany Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €113 | — | — | - **Germany Researcher Visa** — Key documents: Valid passport, National visa application form, Hosting agreement or work contract, Proof of doctorate or qualifying degree, Cost-coverage commitment, Health insurance · Rights: Work: Full-time research, host-tied · Study: Research is the purpose · Residency after 3 years · Family: Family may join; spouse may work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: bamf.de - **Germany Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)** — Key documents: Valid passport and current residence permit, Application form, Proof of secure livelihood, Pension insurance record, German language certificate, Proof of adequate housing, Health insurance · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: bamf.de --- Source: VisaPassage (https://visapassage.com/). 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