Schengen Visa to Germany

Germany is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the Schengen region. Several travellers visit the country to embrace its views of majestic castles, scenic landscapes, and countryside. If you are a UAE national planning to visit the country as a tourist, you would not require a Schengen visa to Germany. However, if you are travelling to the country with the intent to pursue studies or work, a visa is mandatory.

This write-up provides insights into questions like who needs a Schengen visa to Germany, the documents required for a Schengen visa to Germany online application, the processing time, the need for travel insurance, and more. 

Do you need Schengen Visa for Germany?

You don’t require a tourist visa for Germany from the UAE. As a UAE national, you can stay in the country visa-free for up to 90 days. However, as mentioned earlier, individuals planning to work or study in the country would necessarily require a visa. Ex-pats or people of different nationalities residing in the UAE would need to secure a Schengen visa to Germany in any case.

Requirements to Apply for German Schengen Visa

While UAE residents and nationals don’t need a Schengen Visa for Germany if their stay is of less than 90 days, they would still need to provide certain documents upon arrival into the country like –

• Valid UAE passport or travel document – it should have at least three months’ validity beyond the intended duration of the trip to Germany
• A document or proof indicating the purpose of visit 
• Proof of income – to demonstrate that you are financially sound to travel to Germany

It’s still essential to note that even if a visa is not required for shorter stays for UAE citizens, those going to the country for a long stay (more than 90 days) would need a Schengen visa for Germany from Dubai. For this, you would need to provide the following documents –

• A filled out form – take out two printouts of the form and sign both the copies towards the end 
• Valid Passport – should not be older than 10 years and should be valid for at least three months after the date from which you plan for the trip to Germany 
• Two Passport-sized Photos clicked within the last three months as per the Schengen visa standards 
• Proof of Residence in the UAE – you should have a UAE resident visa that is valid for at least 3 months from the date of departure to Germany 
• Travel Flight Itinerary – documents that show your flight tickets from UAE to Germany and back. This document must contain the exact dates of when you are reaching the country and leaving the country. 
• Proof of Accommodation –information about the hotel, rental home, or a letter of invitation by a host 
• Cover Letter – to provide a reason as to why you need to travel to Germany, the duration of your stay, and other associated details 
• Travel Insurance 
• Proof of Income that could be any of the following documents –
  • Bank account statement - Your bank account should have sufficient funds to cover your trip. This statement should be for at least three months. 
  • Sponsorship letter - This document should be provided by a third party to confirm that they are financially assisting your trip to the Schengen nations. For the letter to be valid, you would need to affix sponsor’s bank statement as recent as last three months.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa for Germany?

To apply for the Schengen visa to Germany, consider following the steps mentioned below –

• Connect with the German Embassy and check if the embassy manages the visa application process or outsources it to a third-party
• Make an appointment at the authorised Visa Centre
• Attend the interview and carry all the mandatory documents (organised in the manner requested)
• Wait for the response – the process usually takes at least 15 days to get completed

The German Embassy, based in Abu Dhabi, has delegated the task of submitting the visa in the UAE to VFS Global. Thus, to get a Schengen visa to Germany, you would need to submit the application at their Visa Application Centre in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. 

The Visa Application Centre situated in Abu Dhabi accepts applications from individuals with a residence permit issued by the Emirate of Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. The Visa Application Centre in Dubai accepts visa applications from the Emirates of Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain. 

The Visa Centres remain open from Sunday to Thursday from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm. You can file your visa application from 09:00 am to 03:00 pm. 

Contact Details and Address

• Abu Dhabi - Level 25, Shining Tower, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, 26th Street, Near Khalidyah Mall
• Dubai - Joint Visa Application Centre, Waafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2
• Contact Details - 04-2055666; info.germanyuae@vfshelpline.com 

Who Can Apply for Germany Schengen Visa in the UAE?

The following types of individuals can apply for Schengen visa for Germany –

• UAE passport holders who cannot get visa-free entry to Germany 
• Expats in the UAE who possess permanent or temporary residence visas –
  • This includes nationals of another country that has an agreement on a visa-free programme with Schengen nations, yet are refused visa-free entry in Europe 
  • Nationals of any other country that doesn’t have any visa-free agreement with the Schengen nations like Germany

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Germany Schengen Visa?

Travel insurance for a Germany Schengen visa is mandatory. Moreover, this Schengen travel insurance plan must be valid across all Schengen countries and must have a medical cover of at least EUR 30,000. 

Getting travel insurance for Germany Schengen visa, besides fulfilling the minimum requirements, is also beneficial for you as it offers financial cover in case of a medical emergency or travel inconvenience like loss of luggage, flight delay, or delay in baggage arrival.

With travel insurance, you can avail of cashless emergency medical treatment, which could be especially handy if you are not carrying enough money or have a lower credit limit. Cashless treatment eliminates the need for you to pay the treatment charges upfront as the insurance provider will settle the expenses for you.

Benefits of Having a Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa to Germany

With travel insurance for Germany from the UAE, you can expect the following coverages –

• COVID-19 Cover - Almost all the travel insurance plans in the UAE cover COVID-19. Under this cover, the insured is compensated for the costs incurred due to RT-PCR tests, mandatory quarantine of up to 14 days (in case they test positive), and related treatment and medicines.
• Medical Coverage - A travel insurance plan for a Schengen visa for Germany provides emergency medical cover if one meets an accident or injury, or gets sick on the trip. In extreme situations, the insured would also be covered for medical evacuation, daily cash allowance, and repatriation.
• Baggage Cover - Under this cover, you would be reimbursed in case you lose your luggage or personal documents like your passport. With this money, you can purchase the replacements and the necessary items that might be needed for the remaining trip.
• Trip-Associated Benefits - This cover makes sure that you are financially covered for personal liabilities, legal fee requirements, delayed flights, and more.
• Flight-Associated Benefits - In case of flight cancellation or delay, this cover compensates you for the time lost or for the price of the tickets. Most plans in the UAE offer coverage for flight cancellations, delays, and other travel inconveniences. 

Types of Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa to Germany

The following are the types of travel insurance plans available for your Germany Schengen visa –

• Single-Trip Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa - This travel insurance is designed especially for travellers going to Germany on a single trip. It is often mandatory for a Type C single-entry Schengen visa. This insurance type can be purchased by solo travellers, a group of friends, family, and senior citizens who plan to visit Germany only once a year. 
• Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa - This type of travel insurance is suitable for people who visit Germany frequently in a year, whether for the purpose of business, family visits, or even leisure 

Processing Time for the Schengen Visa to Germany

The processing time for a tourist Schengen visa for Germany depends on the application centre and its method of functioning. Generally, it can take at least 2 weeks to receive your Schengen tourist visa for Germany. However, there could be situations where you could receive your Germany tourist Schengen visa in 30 days or 60 days. 

When Should You Apply for Schengen Visa to Germany?

It is highly recommended to apply for Schengen visa to Germany as early as possible. Until recently, individuals were only permitted to submit their applications 3 months before their departure date. However, as per the latest updates in the Schengen visa rules, you can submit the application 6 months before your travel date. 

Schengen Visa to Germany Fees

How Long is Your Germany Schengen Visa Valid?

Short-stay or Type C Schengen visas for Germany are valid for 90 days, while the long-stay or Type D Schengen visas for Germany are in effect for a period ranging from 6 months to 5 years. 

Type C Visa 

The short-stay visa enables you to travel to Germany for up to 90 days for tourism, family visit, business, a short educational course, or an internship. You can be given a single, double, or multiple entry visa, depending on the purpose of your trip. 

• A single-entry Germany Schengen visa has a validity of 90 days.
• The multiple- or double-entry Schengen visa to Germany enables you to have a trip of 90 days to 180 days at most – the validity ranges from 6 months to 5 years 

Type D Visa

This visa type is valid between 4 months and 12 months without any 90-day limit. The trip duration and the length of stay depends on the purpose of visit, which could be a working holiday, temporary long-stay, and more. 

Conclusion

As a UAE national, you don’t need a Schengen visa to Germany from Dubai if you are travelling to this Schengen nation as a tourist. However, you will be required to secure a visa in case the intent of travel is work or higher education. To apply for a visa, you should provide a valid passport, passport-sized photographs, proof of income, proof of residence, cover letter, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and travel insurance. 

You can purchase travel insurance for Schengen visa to Germany from Policybazaar.ae. We provide you with the opportunity to find the best plan for yourself by comparing the top products (available at remarkably affordable rates) of the leading insurance providers and selecting one of them. You can even seek the guidance of insurance experts to choose a travel insurance plan if you are unable to do so. 

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