Germany is a country with incredible historic sites, brimming with the beauty of fairy tale castles, artistic churches, strikingly beautiful landscapes, and lively party scenes. A visa is necessary for individuals visiting Germany as a tourist, for work, to live, or study. A Germany visit visa allows one to enter the country depending on the purpose, number of times one plans to visit, and the length of your trip. Germany is included in the list of 26 Schengen Area European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. Hence with a German visa, you can also get access to other Schengen countries as well.
Citizens from EU (European Union) or EEA (European Economic Area) countries can enter Germany without a visa. They need to apply for a residence permit for stays of more than three months.
Types of Germany visa
You can apply for the following visas before visiting Germany.
For a short stay trip (up to 90 days) to Germany, you must apply for a Schengen short-stay visa, also known as C type visa or a Germany Schengen visa. If you are planning to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you must apply for a German long-stay visa, also called a D-type Visa or National visa. There are different kinds of short-stay visas in Germany depending on your purpose of entry, and it is important to apply for the correct type as per your requirement.
1. Germany Tourist visa
If you plan to visit or tour the attractions of Germany for exploring, sightseeing, and vacations for less than 90 days, you need a Schengen tourist visa. Germany also has an agreement with 62 countries allowing nationals of these countries to travel for up to 90 days without a visa.
2. Germany Transit visa
You can apply for a Germany Transit visa if you want to land at any German airport and catch a flight to your non-Schengen destination.
3. Student Visa
Individuals who have received an admission letter from an educational institution in Germany must apply for a student visa.
4. Student Applicant Visa
The student applicant visa is for people wanting to visit Germany for education from recognized German universities.
5. Language Student Visa
Individuals planning to take a language course in Germany, lasting between six to twelve months, must apply for this visa.
6. Job Seeker Visa
Individuals having a certificate of higher education recognized by German authorities can apply for a job seeker visa that allows them to stay in Germany for six months to search for a job.
7. Working Visa
The working visa is for qualified individuals who have found a job in Germany from abroad.
8. Visa for Researchers and Scientists
Researchers or scientists, who have been invited by a German institution to carry out research, study, or work on a project, must apply for this visa.
9. Internship visa
If you wish to do an internship in Germany, you must apply for an internship visa, and your internship must not be longer than twelve months.
10. Self-Employment Visa
Individuals planning to start a business or work as a freelancer in Germany need to apply for a self-employment visa.
11. Au Pair Visa
If you wish to work as an au pair (helping with housework or childcare) with a family in Germany, you must apply for an au pair visa. You can work as an au pair in Germany only if you are older than 26 years.
12. Family Reunion Visa
If you are a resident of Germany and want to bring your family members outside the EU countries, then you can apply for a family reunion visa.
13. Germany Medical Visa
You can apply for a medical visa if you need to receive any treatment or medical care in Germany.
14. Visa for Sports, Culture, and Film Crews
You can apply for this visa if you need to attend any sport or activity related to culture or religion. You can apply for this visa if you are a part of a film crew.
15. Germany Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Visa
You can apply for this visa if you are intending to attend a training session or do an internship in Germany.
16. Germany Golden Visa
The Germany Golden Visa is a visa that helps you to become a German citizen within six years. To get this visa, you need to apply for a self-employment visa and make a major investment in the country.
Steps for Visa Application Process
- Identify the Type of Visa you want to apply for.
- Check where you need to apply.
- Fill out the German visa application form.
- Submit all the required documents.
- Schedule an appointment for your visa interview.
- Attend the interview on the stipulated date at the German Embassy, Consulate, and visa application center.
Where to Apply for a Germany Visa from Dubai
One of the commonly asked questions for German visa is ‘where to apply’? To make your Germany visa application process smooth, you can get in touch with us at germanyvisa.ae. Our visa experts will guide you at each and every step of the Germany visa process . Once you submit all the necessary documents, we will forward them to the Germany consulate or visa center in Dubai or the UAE.
Documents Required when Applying for a Germany Visa in Dubai
The following is the list of documents required for a short-term Germany visa application.
- A duly completed visa application form
- A duly signed declaration
- Passport valid for at least three months, not older than ten years, and containing two blank pages.
- Two passport-size photographs
- Copies of your previous visas (if any)
- A copy of your round-trip flight reservations
- Proof of accommodation during your trip
- Proof of your financial funds
- A cover letter explaining the reason for your visit to Germany and all the details of your trip.
- Proof of your civil status (birth certificate of children, marriage certificate, death certificate of spouse, etc.)
- Travel Health Insurance covering medical emergencies with a minimum of 30000 €.
You may have to submit some additional Germany visa requirement of the documents based on the type of visa you wish to apply for.
Processing Time Taken for German Visa
The Germany visa takes around 10-14 business days for a short-term visa. However, during peak seasons, it may take thirty to sixty days to process from the time of your interview with a German Consulate. Therefore, it is necessary to apply for Germany Visa four to five months before your trip to Germany. Germany visa once received can be also extended once it relapses. You can check out this guide for Germany visa extension for more details.
Germany Visa Fees
The Germany visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Moreover, the visa fee for children and adults is also different. The fee for Germany visa will be around AED 625.