Germany Visa Information, Requirements & Application Form

Are you planning to visit Germany for business, studies, or vacation soon? If so, you should start thinking about gathering all the important documents for your visit to Germany well in advance. Some of the most important mandatory documents required to visit Germany are visas, passports and insurance documents. You can apply for a short-stay German visa or a long-stay German visa, depending upon your travel plans and the terms imposed by the Germany Embassy. Read on to understand the complete procedure of obtaining a Germany visa in detail. 

Germany Visa Types

Germany visas can be divided into two basic categories – long-stay and short-stay visas. Long stay-visas or immigrant visas are offered for multiple lengths of stay durations depending on the purposes of the visit. Short-stay visas are offered for a maximum of 90-day-long stay within 180 days. 

Germany Immigrant Visa or Long-Stay Visa

A Germany immigrant visa is a long-stay visa valid for trips lasting longer than 90 days. Let us take a look at the different types of German visas that you can opt for based on the purpose of your visit:

Germany Student Visa 

If you are going to study at a German university/college, you can apply for a German student visa.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Germany Working (Employment) Visa 

If you are going to join a long-term job in Germany, then you can apply for a German working visa.

Germany Job Seeker Visa

You can apply for a German job seeker visa if you are looking for a job in Germany.

German Language Course Visa 

If you have applied for a German language course, you can enter the country with a German language course visa.

German Freelance “Freiberufler” Visa 

Apply for a freelance ‘freiberufler’ visa if you are going to Germany for freelancing opportunities.

Other long-stay visas for Germany are:

• Scientist or visiting scholar visa
• Medical treatment visa 
• Family reunion visa – for people wishing to join their German family members or family members residing in Germany

Germany Non-Immigrant Visa or Short-Stay Visa

Non-immigrant visas for Germany are also known as short-stay visas. A short stay visa is applied for stays less than or equal to 90 days. If you are a UAE passport holder aka UAE national, you do not need to apply for a short-stay visa for Germany. Short-stay visa may be required if you were ever rejected from entering Germany without a visa. Citizens from some other countries may also enjoy a similar exemption. If you have citizenship in a country that is not exempt from the German visa requirement, you must apply for a short-stay German visa. The following types of visas are included in this list: 

Germany Airport Transit Visa

If you are a national of a third-world country and have to pass through a German airport to board a connecting flight, then you should apply for a German airport transit visa.

Germany Tourist/Visitor Visa

If you intend to enter Germany for tourism or visiting purposes, then you should apply for a German tourist/visitor visa.

Germany Trade Fair and Exhibitions Visa

Apply for a Germany trade fair and exhibitions visa if you are travelling to Germany to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions. 

Germany Guest Scientist Visa

If you have been invited by any research institute to work on a research project for a short time, then you should apply for the Germany guest scientist visa. 

Germany Visa for Sports, Cultural, Film Crew, and Religious Purposes

You need to apply for this visa if you are going to participate in a sports or cultural event, be a part of a film crew, or participate in religious activities in Germany.        

 Germany Student Applicant Visa                                                                                                                        

 If you are going to Germany to give an interview or sit for an academic exam, then you should apply for a German student applicant visa.

Germany Visa for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications

If you are seeking a job in Germany, but your qualifications are not according to the requirements for the job you are considering, you can apply for a German visa to recognise professional qualifications. You will be able to attend the program that can offer you the required qualifications. 

Germany Training/Internship Visa

Apply for a training visa if your purpose of visit to Germany is to take part in a training/internship program in a German university/ college/ institute.

German Language Short Course Visa

For individuals who wish to visit their relatives or friends residing in Germany. 

German Business Visa

For individuals wishing to travel to Germany for business purposes like signing contracts, attending meetings, etc. 

Insurance for Different Types of Visas

Travel Health Insurance for Germany Visa

Travel health insurance for a Germany visa is the next most important document you will need for your Germany visit after the visa. Since Germany is a Schengen state, you will need to purchase a proper travel insurance plan for your trip. The minimum required coverage sum for Schengen travel insurance is EUR 30000. This travel health insurance plan should also be valid across the entire Schengen region.

Following is the complete list of mandatory coverage your Schengen travel insurance for Germany visa must come with:

1. Minimum medical coverage of EUR 30000
2. It should be valid across the entire Schengen region
3. Coverage should include emergency medical expenses, repatriation due to severe illness, and death 

The following services will also be covered if you buy a comprehensive travel insurance for Germany visa:

1. Coverage for medications and medical equipment
2. In-patient and outpatient medical treatment
3. Ambulance service cover
4. Coverage for burial costs
5. Emergency dental care
6. Flight delay and missed connection flight cover 
7. Baggage delay or loss cover
8. Loss of personal belongings cover

The cost of your German travel insurance plan will depend on the following factors:

1. Age: You may have to pay higher premium amounts if you are older
2. Coverage Limits: A comprehensive plan costs more than the ones with only basic benefits
3. Time Duration: You will have to pay a higher premium for a plan with longer validity 

How to Get Travel Insurance Online for Germany?

If you plan to get travel insurance online for Germany, you can easily purchase it from our official website Policybazaar.ae. Given below is a list of steps you can follow to seamlessly complete the buying procedure for your travel insurance for a Germany visa:

• Go to the travel insurance section from the main menu on our homepage
• Fill out the lead form on this page and submit it to get redirected to the quotes page for travel insurance 
• Browse through the different travel insurance plans from top insurance companies available here and choose the right one as per your needs
• Fill out the application form and attach all the necessary documents
• Make the payment and finalise your purchase 

Germany Visa Eligibility

German visa eligibility as well as the requirement to get one depends on your citizenship and a few other factors. If you are a citizen of the UAE, then you can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in Germany. You can check the official visa website of Schengen visa to check other countries exempt from short-stay visa requirements. You will need to apply for a short-stay visa under the following conditions:

1. You are a UAE national rejected by the German Embassy to travel visa-free.
2. You have the citizenship of a country that is not included in the exemption list of visa-free travelling by the German embassy.
3. You have the nationality of a German visa-exempt country, but you have been rejected by the German Embassy for visa-free travelling previously.

All applicants wishing to stay in Germany for more than 90 days must apply for a long-term German visa if they wish to stay in Germany regardless of their nationality. 

Documents Required for Germany Visa

You will need the following documents when applying for a German visa:

• A duly filled visa application form
• Valid passport
• Two high-definition photos
• Travel health insurance documents for your visit 
• Proof of accommodation in Germany - rent agreement, hotel booking, or invitation letter by a host to stay
• Documents related to employment and education:
  • Approval letter from the employer if you are employed
  • A copy of your business license if you are self-employed
  • A no-objection certificate along with proof of transfer from school/college if you are a student
  • Financial statement of pension of up to 6 months if you are retired
• Return ticket
• Bank statement of at least 3 months that proves that you have financial means to support your stay in Germany. You should have at least €45 for each day you plan to spend in Germany.

Additional Documents Required for a Germany Medical Visa

• Visitors to Germany for medical reasons should carry an application letter from a hospital in their country of residence i.e., the UAE.
• Visa applicants have a letter of confirmation of treatment from their designated hospital in Germany from where they plan to avail of the medical services.

Additional Documents Required for Germany Tourist Visa

• The applicant should have valid travel insurance that covers the minimum required coverage particulars as per the German international travel policy. 
• No objection certificate:
  • If the applicant is a student, then their school should issue the no objection certificate. 
  • If the person travelling is an employee, the employer shall provide the NOC.
  • No NOC required if the applicant is neither a student nor a working professional. 

How to Apply for a Germany Visa?

For a hassle-free Germany visa application process, follow the below-given steps: 

• Check the appropriate visa according to your purpose of travelling and your stay duration.
• Get an application form from the German embassy office or one of the official online platforms. 
• Fill out the application form, attach the mandatory documents and pay the visa application fee.
• Schedule a visa interview with the embassy representative. 
• Visit the embassy with all the above-mentioned documents once you receive a positive response for your visa interview. 

It is suggested that you apply for your German visa well in advance, especially in the case of a long-stay visa. It can take from 6 to 12 weeks for the visa application to be processed. A short stay visa may take 10 to 15 working days for processing. 

Germany Visa Fees

Let’s take a look at the German visa fee structure: 

How to Check the Germany Visa Status?

If you want to check your German visa status you can track it online using your application reference number and date of birth. Furthermore, you can call the helpline number: +492113714828 to get updates regarding your visa application. You can also visit the visa application centre to track the status of your Germany visa application. 

Conclusion

Obtaining your Germany visa is easy as long as you follow the due procedure properly and prepare all required documents carefully. Your German visa can be applied for at the German embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai. make sure that you have made arrangements to purchase a proper Schengen travel insurance plan for your Germany visa to avoid rejection since it is a mandatory requirement to get your visa. Simply be meticulous while conducting your visa application submission procedure and you will get your visa in no time. You can also connect with our experts to know more about travel requirements and insurance for your next trip to Germany. 

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