Applying for a national visa to Germany

Applying for a national visa to Germany

A long-term entry document belongs to category C and is issued according to rules different from the standard Schengen one. It is prohibited to apply for a national visa to Germany through a visa application center. To request a document, you must appear at the embassy or consulate in person.

The foreign government does not prohibit the use of legal specialists to prepare the documentation package or the receipt of professional advice during the preparation.

A national visa category D is issued only after careful consideration of the applicant's candidacy.

National visa to Germany

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• Consultations with a visa specialist are held Mon-Fri, from 9:00 to 19:00

Consultation

Documents for obtaining a national visa to Germany

To obtain a national visa to Germany, you will need to collect documentation. The general list of certificates is divided into four categories: identity cards, confirmation of solvency, guarantees of return to their native land and grounds (purpose of visit). Let's look at the entire list:

1. Foreign ID card.
2. Applicant's internal passport.
3. Photo 35x45 mm – 2 pcs.
4. Application form.
5. Medical insurance of international standard.
6. Declaration of residence in Germany.
7. Bank account statement.
8. Certificate stating that the person speaks German.
9. An invitation from relatives, an educational institution, an employer or other organizations.
10. Marriage and birth certificates (if available).

Each type of national permit will require additional documentation. For example, for a student, you need a diploma, for a worker, a copy of your work record, and for family reunification, guarantees from residents of Germany. In some situations, you may need to provide your biography in writing. The application is written in two copies. The more documented reasons for issuing a visa form the applicant provides, the higher the chance of a positive decision.

Important! The expiration date of the foreign identity card must be at least three months and it must contain blank sheets of paper for stamps. Prepare photocopies of all documentation in advance.

Cost of a visa to Germany

Assistance in obtaining a visa +7

The cost of services for a national visa is from 7,600 rubles.

• Multiple consultations by phone and in person in the office
• Providing examples of documents (autobiography, motivation letter, etc.)
• Filling out the form in German
• Photocopies of all documents
• Sign up for an interview at the consulate
• Biometric photos for national visa

* Initial consultation - from RUB 2,490.

Additional services

1. Translation of documents into German - 680 rubles. for 1800 characters
2. Medical insurance (minimum 90 days, consulate requirement) – 60€

We help in preparing documents for the following types of national visas

National visa to Germany

Obtaining a German national visa in 2021 differs from the Schengen procedure: permission is issued only after the applicant arrives at the consulate for a mandatory interview. The entire registration process consists of the following stages:

• Preparation of documents.
• Make an appointment at the current consular department.
• Submission of documents and mandatory participation in an interview.
• Waiting for a response from the visa officer. Most often, the decision is communicated to the applicant via SMS.
• Repeated visit to the department to provide additional documents, if required, approval of the date for issuing a special visa stamp.
• Receiving a passport along with a national visa.

Appointment of a date for a visit to the consular department is possible by telephone. Please remember that you will also need a valid passport number.

List of documents

• International passport with several blank pages present;
• Copies of all pages of a valid Russian passport;
• Two photographs for documents – 3.5x4.5 cm;
• Prepared questionnaire;
• Application for residence in Germany;
• Mandatory documentary confirmation of financial wealth (prepared statement from a banking organization, confirmation of the work of your existing business, proof of the solvency of your existing sponsor).

To obtain a visa, the applicant must prove that he can speak German fluently. It is also recommended to provide existing certificates and diplomas received along with a package of other documents.

When resubmitting the collected documents, it is recommended to take into account the fact that the personal data of foreigners who previously requested the necessary permission from the German embassy must be preserved. The information provided again must not conflict with previously provided information.

The application form, prepared in duplicate, must be completed in German in the same way as additional documents. If you lack knowledge, it is recommended to contact a translator.

In accordance with the indicated purpose of the upcoming trip, the list of requested documents is supplemented if necessary. An applicant planning to do business in Germany must provide a detailed letter explaining their choice of Germany. He will also be required to confirm that the development of his business in the selected country will allow him to obtain the funds required for permanent residence.

Make an appointment

Each direct applicant is given a personal allotted time for the visit. For example, a family of 4 people has the opportunity to make four appointments. The prepared application is submitted 3 months before the upcoming trip.

Interview

On the selected day for submitting the collected package of documents and the prepared application, the applicant undergoes a mandatory interview, during which a center specialist checks the documents to determine the purpose of the planned trip. Documents with errors will be returned to the applicant for revision.

It is not recommended to be late for your appointment. The questions asked must be answered briefly and truthfully. All submitted papers are carefully reviewed to determine the absence of embedded banknotes. Consulate specialists will take the fact of their discovery as a bribe. This seriously reduces the chances of the immediate applicant obtaining the required permit.

Sometimes consular officers ask the applicant to submit other types of documents or undergo another interview. When preparing such a document, the applicant is fingerprinted, which requires his presence. All persons from the age of 12 are subject to the biometrics procedure.

On the day of submission of collected and prepared documents, the applicant with a passport is invited to the current visa department, but after receiving a message from this department.

Labor activity

• Self-employment in Germany
• Carrying out independent work activities
• Short term work
• EU Blue Card
• Visa for the purpose of seeking work
• Working as a housekeeper or nanny for the purpose of learning a language (Au-pair)
• Volunteer service

The standard validity period for a D visa is one year. It is possible to issue a permit with multiple entries.

A foreigner cannot reside in Germany for more than 180 days.

It is allowed to extend the entry document without leaving in the absence of vacation, session without vacation or other important reasons.

• applications for family reunification . If a person belongs to one of the listed categories for which an exception is made, and his entry for the purpose of a long stay is therefore possible, then simultaneous joint entry with his family members is also possible (for example, simultaneous entry of a spouse and a minor child specialist);
• applications from specialists and highly qualified workers in the following categories: specialists who have been offered a specific job in accordance with the definition of the German Residence Act (clause 3 §§ 18, 18a, 18b AufenthG), which is confirmed by an application for employment
• scientists and research personnel, as well as teachers of foreign languages ​​(§§18d, 18e und 18f AufenthG and paragraph 1 § 19c AufenthG in combination with § 5 BeschV or paragraph 1 § 11 BeschV), scientists planning to engage in research activities at a recognized research institution, no proof of economic necessity is required. If the research is carried out in a commercial enterprise, the economic need must be demonstrated.
• posted workers in accordance with the Employment Ordinance (§19c paragraph 1 in conjunction with §10 BeschV) and ICT card holders – (§§ 19, 19b AufenthG)
• senior level employees
• managers and specialists of companies (section 19c in combination with § 3 BeschV)
• professional athletes and professional eSports players to participate in competitions, international sporting events or to work in German sports associations (section 19c AufenthG paragraph 1 in combination with section 22 paragraph 1, section 22 paragraph 4, section 22 paragraph 5 or paragraph 2 § 23 BeschV) and accompanying personnel, as well as judges/referees and sports officials, other athletes and their accompanying personnel on special grounds in individual cases
• contract agreements for the execution of an order from the manufacturer's material / specialists for installation/connection of equipment (clause § 19 BeschV, stay up to 90 days within 12 months)
• IT professionals (Section 2 §19c AufenthG in conjunction with § 6 BeschV)
• employees whose activities are of special state (public) interest (clause 3 §19c AufenthG)
• qualified workers under contract (§ 19c paragraph 1 in conjunction with § 29 BeschV paragraph 1), only from Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey
• specialists (paragraph 1 § 19 BeschV)
• business trips, if they meet the necessary conditions of paragraph 2 § 16 BeschV
• individual entrepreneurs (§21 AufenthG).
• participants of fairs and exhibitions
• conference participants

A prerequisite for entering the country as a skilled worker or highly qualified employee is proof of mandatory presence in Germany (for example by submitting an employment contract) and evidence that the employment is necessary from an economic point of view and that the work cannot be delayed or completed due to borders (upon presentation of a certificate from the employer/client). Relevant supporting documents must be submitted when applying for a visa (if a visa regime is in effect), carried with you during the trip and, if necessary, presented when passing border control.

The condition for the entry of an individual entrepreneur or employee is sufficient confirmation of the need for travel taking into account the pandemic . For confirmation, a personally signed statement from a business partner or employer in Germany about the need for an urgent business trip is required. The mere declaration of a business partner or employer from the country of departure (third country) is not sufficient grounds.

To confirm the need for entry of persons traveling to visit business exhibitions , the following documents are required: for exhibitors - confirmation of participation from the exhibition organizer, for exhibition visitors - an entrance ticket, as well as confirmation of a business meeting planned within the framework (on the territory) of the exhibition from less than one exhibitor.

To confirm the need for entry of speakers or conference participants, the following documents are required: confirmation that personal participation is required, including during a pandemic, and its adequate replacement with an online format is impossible, as well as registration or other confirmation of the planned presence of a third-country citizen at the conference with by the event organizer.

High-ranking religious figures whose presence is necessary for religious activities/events are also exempt categories. Proof of economic need is not required. However, confirmation of the need for entry is required from the relevant community. Entry within a short period of time is possible only as an exception if special justification is provided;

• students whose studies (at least one semester) cannot be carried out entirely from abroad. This exception applies to anyone who has (i) conditional or unconditional admission to classes, including with prior completion of a language course or practice, or (ii) intends to come to take language courses or practice in preparation for study, but does not have permission to classes. However, this does not apply to persons intending to apply for admission to study, unless the deadline for passing the admission exam has already been set. An exception is also a visit to a pre-university training institution. In this case, admission to study at a university is not required; only confirmation of admission to a pre-university training institution is required. Relevant documents must also be presented when going through border control.
• persons undergoing qualified vocational training . This must be training in a specialty that has official state certification or a comparable status, for which a training period of at least two years is established (a language course preceding professional training is also possible). A necessary condition is confirmation by the institution or person who conducts the vocational training that the presence of the trainee is required, despite the current situation due to coronavirus (personal presence, not just online training).
• participants in qualifying events for the purpose of recognizing the professional training they have completed abroad. Here it is also necessary to provide confirmation from the institution or person who conducts the vocational training that the presence of the trainee is required, despite the current situation due to coronavirus (personal presence, not just online training).
• schoolchildren attending school for at least 6 months (possibly with a preliminary language course, if enrollment in the school has already been confirmed by the start of the language course). Here it is also necessary to provide confirmation from the institution or person in charge of the educational process that the presence of the student is required, despite the current situation in connection with coronavirus (personal presence, and not just online learning).
• Entry on a school exchange is also possible if the stay is at least six months.
• Entry for the purpose of advanced training and internship is possible for a stay of at least six months. The organizer of professional development events must confirm that the presence of the trainee is required, despite the current situation due to coronavirus (personal presence, and not just online training).
• Au-pairs and volunteers , with a minimum stay of at least six months.
• entry for language courses if the planned stay is at least six months. The organizer of these courses must confirm that the presence of the trainee is required, despite the current situation due to coronavirus (personal presence, not just online training).

Types of national visas to Germany

Types of national category visas are divided according to the grounds for their receipt, which include:

• reunification with family or close relatives, marriage with a German citizen;
• receiving education at a German educational institution, including exchange studies;
• work in a company operating in the country, including running your own business;
• presence of ethnic roots, Jewish origin;
• participation in a program specially designed for late migrants.

For a family reunion

Visa to Germany for family reunification

Foreigners who have direct relatives who legally reside in Germany can apply for a visa for family reunification. There are a number of conditions for obtaining this permit:

• availability of living space - documents on real estate ownership or a lease agreement are accepted as confirmation;
• the applicant’s knowledge of the German language is at an elementary level, but if a German resident has an EU blue card, then this requirement is not imposed on his relatives;
• The validity of this type of visa is limited to 90 days, but after the end of this period it is possible to extend it or obtain a residence permit.

The country's authorities are quite strict in issuing entry permits to relatives of refugees. They are not always able to reunite with their family.

For a wedding

Fiance visa to Germany

When applying for a visa to reunite with a German spouse, requirements apply to both parties. A German citizen must be an adult, have his own home and place of work.

A foreign citizen must also be an adult, i.e., reach 18 years of age, speak German at a conversational level (better knowledge of the state language is an additional advantage for obtaining a permit).

Knowledge of the language is not always a prerequisite for obtaining a visa. Thus, if the applicant has a diploma quoted in Germany, it makes it possible to obtain a visa without knowing the language.

Student

Student visa to Germany

A student visa is issued on the basis of an invitation sent by an educational institution. It is sent to the applicant after a remote interview and payment of training.

A student visa is issued for a period of 3-6 months. Then it can be extended for 1 year.

Working

A national work visa allows the applicant to carry out paid activities in Germany.

The issuance of such a permit is carried out for a period of 3-6 months with subsequent extension or for the full term of the contract.

Work visas for Russians are divided into several categories - for self-employed workers, doctors, housekeepers, nannies, volunteers, etc.

Work in Germany - list of documents

Any list of documentation for a Schengen national visa can be divided into main and additional.

When ordering a national travel document, the main register of official papers includes:

• Applicant application form , filled out on a computer or by hand. It is important to leave information in each chapter and ensure that the data entered corresponds to reality.
• A foreign passport was issued no earlier than 10 years ago and has a validity reserve sufficient to return to your homeland after the expiration of the visa period.
• The domestic passport does not contain any blots or corrections, and was issued no earlier than 9-10 years ago.
• 3 photographs in Schengen format are created on matte paper with a white or light background. The applicant's face must be exposed; wearing hats and dark glasses is prohibited.
• Financial documents confirm the availability of material resources to support oneself:

1. products,
2. place of residence,
3. basic necessities.

• Social documentation indicates the presence of:

1. relatives from the Schengen area,
2. spouses,
3. minor children in Russia,
4. real estate in any country in the world.

• Medical insurance is issued for the entire period of tourists’ stay abroad and is valid in all EU countries. The minimum coverage is 30,000 euros.

For an employment visa, you must additionally attach an invitation from a German employer and confirm your qualifications by attaching:

• diplomas,
• certificates,
• certificates of increasing the level of professionalism.

The work record reflects the applicant's previous work experience.

If previously held positions or education do not correspond to those proposed in the invitation, the issuance of a category D visa will follow.

What is a national visa?

A German visa category D is a document whose holder has the opportunity to stay in Germany for more than 3 months. Unlike Schengen, a national permit contains the start and end dates of the period allowed for residence in the country, i.e. there is no visa corridor.

Category D visa to Germany

The maximum period for which a D visa is issued is six months. But it can be extended without leaving Germany. The authorized German authorities, at the request of a foreigner, can extend the validity of the permit for a longer period if there are compelling reasons.

A national-type permit makes it possible to apply for resident status, which is impossible if you have a Schengen visa.

A category D visa is multiple-entry, meaning you can use it to enter the country several times within the validity period of the document.

Studying at a German institute - how to become a student

To get the opportunity to study within the borders of Germany, you must score a passing score on the general national testing in Russia.

Foreigners are not eligible to apply for free training.

Grants are issued in limited quantities, most of them are awarded to local students.

Free education can be offered to a foreigner only if he has outstanding intellectual abilities.

The list of documents for obtaining a student national visa includes:

1. Invitation from an educational institution.
2. Certificate of passing entrance exams.
3. Diploma of completion of school or college in Russia or the CIS.
4. A sponsorship letter from parents confirming the teenager’s financial support until graduation.
5. A check for payment for the first year of study at a German university, as well as a place to stay.

Some educational institutions offer living in dormitories or boarding houses. Less often, student accommodation is already included in the cost of tuition.

If a Russian plans to attend language courses or educational intensives for a period of less than 6 months, he should order a regular tourist or business visa under a simplified regime.