Visum für die Einreise nach Deutschland beantragen

• § 5 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) – Allgemeine Erteilungsvoraussetzungen
• § 6 AufenthG – Visum
• Schengener Grenzkodex
• EU-Visumverordnung

Depending on the country you come from, a visa may be required for entry into Germany. You can find out which countries are subject to this requirement by consulting the "List of countries subject to visa requirements" published by the Federal Foreign Office.

Note: If you are already in possession of a residence title that is still valid, you do not need a visa to enter Germany.

When issuing a visa, a distinction is made between two cases:

Transit and short stays

If you are only passing through the Schengen area by air or land, i.e. you are on your way to a so-called third country (which is not itself a Schengen country), you must apply for a Schengen visa of category "A" or "C".

For a short stay of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days, a Schengen visa category "C" can be considered if gainful employment is not intended. This visa also entitles the holder to short stays in the other member states of the Schengen Agreement.

Longer-term stays

Longer-term stays (e.g. for the purpose of gainful employment or for the purpose of family reunification) require a national visa for foreign nationals who are subject to visa requirements.

The issuance is governed by the regulations for the

• Residence permit,
• the EU Blue Card
• the ICT card,
• the Mobile ICT Card,
• the settlement permit and
• the Permit for Permanent Residence - EU

and partly requires the approval of the foreigners authority at the intended place of residence.

After entry with a national visa, the corresponding permit is issued upon application for a specific legal purpose of residence. In special cases (for example in the case of highly qualified persons), a (permanent) settlement permit can also be granted immediately.

The permit must be applied for at the Foreigners' Registration Office before the visa expires.

For EU citizens and nationals of the EEA states Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, no visa is required for entry and no residence permit is required for residence. In principle, this also applies to Swiss nationals.

In order to avoid time-consuming additional demands, you should contact the diplomatic mission or consular post in good time before the start of your journey and find out about the documents you need to submit.

As a rule, the issuing of a visa requires that

• Your identity has been clarified and you fulfil the passport obligation,
• Your livelihood is secure,
• there are no grounds for expulsion and
• if you are not entitled to a residence title, your stay does not impair or endanger the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany for any other reason.

If you intend to stay for a longer period of time, you must also meet the special requirements for a residence title in accordance with the intended purpose of stay.

A visa cannot be issued if you have been expelled, deported or returned as long as the time limit set for the re-entry ban has not expired.

• Schengen visa: EUR 60,00, for children between six and twelve years: EUR 35.00
• national visa: EUR 75.00, for minors: EUR 37.50

In certain cases, the fee may be reduced or waived entirely.

The form for applying for an entry visa is available in various languages on the website of the German mission in your country.

• Fill out the form accurately and sign it.
• Compile the necessary supporting documents.
• Hand in the application (at least two copies) with the required documents in person at the German mission abroad in your home country.

Examination and issuing of the visa

• If necessary, the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Federal Republic of Germany will obtain the approval of the foreigners authority at your future place of residence in Germany.
• The mission can then issue the visa.

Entry

• If you are granted a visa, entry and residence are permitted with an endorsement in your passport.

Usually two to ten working days

If you are applying for a visa that entitles you to a longer-term stay or to take up employment, you should expect a processing time of several months.

Validity: usually at least three months

There may be waiting times before the application can be submitted to the mission abroad. If a visa is required to enter Germany, you should therefore submit the application in good time.

You can also apply for a short-stay visa at the diplomatic mission or consular post of another Schengen state. In principle, however, you should apply for a visa at the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Schengen state in which the main destination of your short stay is located.

Lawsuit (details about the procedure in the official notification)