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Visa - long term (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.

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.

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 or the Consulate General respectively. Application forms, general information, checklists and appointments are offered free of charge!

All covid-related entry restrictions have been preliminarily lifted. Please find more information here.

Before you start

If you need basic general information or in-depth guidance about the types of longterm visa for Germany as well as the surrounding process, then we recommend using our VISA NAVIGATOR first.

After having accessed the information compiled in the VISA NAVIGATOR, please continue with the country-specific information for your application on this Website.

Application Process

You should start preparing your application as soon as you have plans for a long-term stay in Germany. The whole visa application process can take several months. Prepare your application in the following three steps:

1. Fill in the application form
2. Compile the required documents according to the purpose of your stay in Germany by using the following checklists.

Blue Card
- Blue Card

    Employment (qualified professionals)
    - Skilled workers holding university degree
    - IT specialists with professional experience
    - Research
    - Skilled workers with vocational training qualification
    - Work in case of partial recognition of qualification

    Study
    - General Studies
    - Doctorate Studies
    - Language Course

    Au Pair & Voluntary Service
    - Au Pair
    - Voluntary service

    Job seeker, vocational training, voluntary service
    - Seeking employment as skilled worker
    - Vocational training
    - Seekers of vocational training places

    Family reunification
    - Spouse
    - Parent to German child
    - Child to foreign parent
    - Family members of non-German EU citizens
    3. Schedule an appointment online (see below) at the German Mission which is responsible for you to hand in your application. . If you are a resident of Madagascar please ensure to book an appointment for your interview at our Embassy in Madagascar. The application will then automatically be forwarded to Tanzania. Applicants for an Au-Pair/BfD Visa from Madagascar are requested to apply for an appointment via our waitlist.

Please note that the availability of an appointment can take up to 4 weeks or longer. The wait time for Au-Pair/BfD can be up to six months.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is complete upon submission. Incomplete applications cannot be processed and you may be asked to book a new appointment. Please note, rescheduling of appointments on our system are only allowed after three months.

Appointments for national visas can be booked online (free of charge). Residents of the following countries must submit their visa application to the indicated mission:

Online Appointments:

Visa Applicants from Tanzania book appointments here: Online Appointments

Visa Applicants from Madagascar book appointments here: Online Appointments

To lodge your application, please appear in person for your appointment at the German Mission. Submit your complete application with the requested documentation, pay the fee and answer questions about the planned stay in Germany. In addition, your Biometrics will be captured.

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 and either health or travel 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.