Procedure descriptions

Apply for a national visa

Foreigners require a national visa for a longer-term stay (over 90 days) in Germany.

The following do not require a visa

  • EU nationals and
  • Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
  • Nationals of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino who do not wish to pursue gainful employment with the exception of the activities listed in Section 17 (2) AufenthV.

Nationals of these countries can also enter Germany for a longer stay without a national visa and apply for their residence permit at the immigration authority within 90 days of entering the country.

The procedure and requirements depend on your nationality and the purpose of your stay in Germany (e.g. gainful employment, family reunification, study and training).

In certain cases, you must provide proof of German language skills. The issue of the national visa is governed by the same regulations that apply to the issue of the residence permit that you must apply for in Germany before the visa expires (e.g. residence permit, EU Blue Card).

Responsible department

for issuing a visa: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)

Tip: The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of German missions abroad on its website.
On the websites of the German missions abroad you will usually find further information, often including online forms.

Details

Prerequisite

The requirements depend on your nationality and the purpose of your stay.

You can find information on the websites of the German diplomatic missions abroad.

Procedure

You must apply for a visa for a long-term stay at the diplomatic mission or consular post responsible for you.

  • Find out more about the application procedure and the documents to be submitted on the website of the diplomatic mission responsible for you.
  • Make an appointment with the diplomatic mission abroad.
  • Download, print and complete the visa application form. At the agreed appointment, visit the diplomatic mission abroad in person. Bring the completed application and all the necessary documents with you.
  • An employee of the diplomatic mission will interview you. For security reasons, this will take place at the counter.
  • In certain cases, after accepting your application, the diplomatic mission or consular post will contact the foreigners authority or, in the case of employment, the Federal Employment Agency in Germany, which is responsible for the place where you wish to live or work.
    In these cases, the diplomatic mission abroad can only issue the visa if the foreigners authority or the Federal Employment Agency agrees.
  • The visa is affixed to your passport in the form of a label.
  • If you are eligible for the accelerated skilled labour procedure in accordance with Section 81a of the Residence Act, you can contact the State Agency for the Immigration of Skilled Workers (LZF) or alternatively the immigration authority responsible for you.
    • Step 1: Skilled worker authorises employer
    • Step 2: Contact the State Agency for the Immigration of Skilled Labour or your local immigration authority
    • Step 3: Conclude an agreement with the immigration authority (a processing fee of EUR 411.00 is charged upon conclusion)
    • Step 4: If necessary, initiate the procedure for recognition or equivalence assessment of the professional qualification at the relevant competent authority
    • Step 5: If necessary: Obtain approval from the Federal Employment Agency (BA)
    • Step 6: Preliminary approval by the foreigners authority
    • Step 7: Skilled worker applies for visa abroad
  • If you are already in Germany: Please contact the immigration authority responsible for you. It is responsible for questions relating to residence law and will decide on your application.

Deadlines

  • in good time before the intended entry

You can find information on dates on the websites of the German diplomatic missions abroad.

Required documents

The documents required depend on your nationality and the purpose of your stay. Information can be found on the websites of the German diplomatic missions abroad.

Costs

  • up to the 18th birthday: EUR 37.50
  • after the 18th birthday: EUR 75.00

In certain cases, the fee can be reduced or waived completely.

Miscellaneous

Please apply for your residence permit before the expiry of 90 days or before the corresponding expiry date of your national visa after entering Germany at the relevant immigration authority in Germany.

Detailed information

Legal basis

Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG):

  • § 5 Allgemeine Erteilungsvoraussetzungen
  • § 6 Visum
  • § 81a Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren

Schengener Grenzkodex

EU-Visumverordnung

Visakodex

Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV):

  • § 17 Nichtbestehen der Befreiung bei Erwerbstätigkeit während eines Kurzaufenthalts
  • § 39 Verlängerung eines Aufenthalts im Bundesgebiet für längerfristige Zwecke
  • § 41 Vergünstigung für Angehörige bestimmter Staaten

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, 30.06.2025