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Long term stays over 90 days (National visa)
The national visa allows the holder to enter Germany for a long term stay with a specific purpose - for example to take up an employment or to study.
The national visa allows the holder to enter Germany for a long term stay with a specific purpose - for example to take up an employment or to study. The Embassy is only competent to handle your visa application should your permanent place of residence be in Tanzania or on the Comores.
Usually the visa will be issued for 90 days. After entering you have to apply at the competent Aliens Authority in Germany for the subsequent residence Permit.
Attention:
We would like to point out that job placement for health professions (apart from studies) must be carried out exclusively by the Federal Employment Agency and must be proven as part of the visa procedure.
This page contains all relevant information about the application procedure. We advise to start preparing your application and if necessary book the appointment for your interview as soon as you have plans for a long-term stay in Germany. The whole visa application process can take several months and special appointments will not be provided.
A word about commercial visa agencies:
Our offices do not work with brokers or agencies in the processing of national visas. These individuals and organizations are NOT able to make appointments for national visa applications with us nor will their involvement lead to a speedier handling of your case.
The only cost incurred for visa applicants when dealing with the German missions directly are the visa fees charged by the Embassy.
Application forms, general information, checklists and appointments are offered free of charge!
The German mission checks your application and ensures that it meets the legal requirements. Depending on your intended stay in Germany either the German Mission or the competent authority in Germany is involved on the outcome of your application. Depending on the purpose of your stay in Germany this can take up to three months. Please refrain from status update enquiries – these will not be answered.
As soon as the decision is made you will be contacted via email by the German Mission.
Please understand that no questions about the processing status can be answered during the processing time.
Thereafter, the following applies: Only inquiries from the applicant himself, his legal representative or a person authorized in writing can be answered. The reference number as well as personal data (date of birth, name, passpirt number) need to be provided to enable the Embassy to respond. Requests without authorization by applicant will not be responded without further notice.
If your visa application has been approved the German Mission will request the flight itinerary andproof of your health insurance. You will be informed as soon as the passport is ready for collection. The general requirement is that you collect your passport in person.
Should your visa have been declined, you will receive a refusal letter from the competent German Mission notifying you about the reasons for the refusal and the legal remedies. You will receive a refusal notification along with your passport. It is possible to submit a new application at any time with complete, verifiable documents.
If your visa has been issued, please check all the visa data for possible mistakes as soon as you receive your passport! Pay particular attention to
- the visa’s validity (start and end dates)
- check the correct spelling of your name
- check the number of entries you were granted
The visa section must be informed of possible mistakes immediately and cannot be held responsible for any problems that occur as a result of incorrect data or a missing signature in the travel document.
Once all the information on your visa is correct, nothing will stand in the way of your trip.
Please register yourself at the city/town hall (Einwohnermeldeamt) within the first week of arrival in Germany.
After registration you have to schedule an appointment at the relevant Alien Office to apply for the residence Permit.
Health insurance in the national visa procedure
Information on the requirements for the required health insurance can be found here.
Which visa do I need?
The type of visa depends on the purpose of the planned stay. The Visa Navigator can help you to find out which visa you need to apply for.
Select your planned purpose of stay here to find out all the information about the application process: