Tourist Visa For Germany

Are you planning to visit Germany? The process of getting a visa to visit Germany varies from person to person. Before applying for the Visa, you should consider your plans and the length of time that you are willing to spend in the country. Germany has several categories of visas that are intended for different reasons.

Applying for the German tourist visa is a common requirement for a traveler who wants to stay in Germany and visit the country as well as other European countries. However, applying for a tourist visa is not always convenient as it involves a lot of waiting time and submission of several documents. The application process may vary depending on the applicant.

If you want to visit Germany, the easiest way is to get a tourist visa. This can be done in just a few minutes and without much effort.

You need to have a valid passport, which has at least 6 months before expiry date. You also need to provide some personal details. These include your name, date of birth and phone number.

The next step is to fill in an application form on the website of German Embassy in your country or state. You can find this online by searching for ‘German Embassy’ on Google or any other search engine of your choice. The application form should be printed out and signed by hand with black ink pen only; no blue ink or pencil allowed!

Once you have submitted these documents at the German Embassy, they will process them within 4 working days and send them back via post to your address provided during application process; so make sure you provide correct one!

Germany Schengen Visa Requirements for Tourists and Visitors

The required documents to apply for a Germany Tourist Visa are as follows:

• Germany tourist visa Application Form.
• Your passport that is valid for at least six months.
• Two photographs in line with the Schengen guidelines.
• Proof of accommodation in Germany.
• No-objection certificate. If you are a student, your school or university should issue this certificate to you. If you are an employee, your employer or the company where you work at should issue this letter to you. However, if you are not a student and you do not work either, this certificate is not required.
• A Cover Letter. This personal cover letter should explain the reason why you wish to visit Germany, how long you intend to remain and what you will be doing there, amongst others.
• Your driver’s license and/or utility bill in your name. This is required as proof of residence in the country where you plan to apply for a visa.
• Travel Health Insurance for Germany. It must be valid for the entire period of your visit, and should be available amongst entire Schengen Area countries.
• Proof of a Booked Round-Trip Ticket Reservation(if applicable). It must show the entire program of the tour and the related dates of the visits you plan to make.
• Reserved Tour Package (if applicable).
• Proof of sufficient financial means.

If you are visiting a family member or friend in Germany, you should also submit the following:

• Formal Obligation Declaration. The document is obtained at the Aliens’ Authority in Germany by the hosting family member in Germany. By this letter the host has to undertake the costs of living and accommodation during your visit.
• Identity card of the host person. Or otherwise, a registration card of the host.
• Letter of Invitation by the host. The letter has to show the reason for inviting you, their relationship with you, the period of your stay, and their home address in Germany.
• Evidence of your relationship with the host.

How to Apply for a Germany Tourist Visa?

To get a Germany Tourist Visa you need to go through the following steps:

1. Complete the Germany Schengen Visa application form. You can find the Germany tourist visa application form online.
2. Gather the required documents. A very important part of the application process for a Germany tourist visa, is gathering the required documents. According to these documents, the German visa officers will take a decision on your application.
3. Make an appointment for a visa interview. The application for a German Tourist Visa has to be lodged at the Embassy or Consulate of Germany in the country where you live.
4. Pay the visa fee. The fee of applying for a German Tourist Visa is 80€, while for children of age 6-12 you have to pay 40€, while it is free for those aged 0-6 of age. But, according to your nationality, you may need to pay a lower fee.
5. Wait for processing. It takes up to 15 days for a German Tourist visa application to be processed by the relevant authorities. This period can be extended further, up to 30 days, if additional examination of the application is required.

What Type of Visa Do I Need to Enter Germany?

If you are planning to visit Germany for a short stay trip (up to 90 days), then you have to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa to Germany, known also as a C-type visa, and if you plan to stay in Germany longer than 90 days, you will have to apply for a German long-stay visa, known also a D-type visa.

Depending on your purpose of entry in Germany, you can apply for one of the following short-stay visa types for Germany:

• Germany Airport Transit Visa. Apply for this visa if you need to land at one of the German airports to take a flight to your non-Schengen destination.
• Germany Transit Visa. Apply for this visa if you need to embark on one of the German harbours, to take a vessel that will take you to your non-Schengen destination
• Germany Tourist Visa. Apply for this visa if you wish to visit Germany for vacations, sightseeing, exploring or similar.
• Visa for Visiting Family or Friends in Germany. Apply for this visa if you wish to visit relatives or friends living in Germany.
• Germany Business Visa. Apply for this visa if you need to enter Germany to take part in activities related to business.
• Visa for Official Visit in Germany. Apply for this visa if you need to enter Germany for an official visit.
• Germany Medical Visa. Apply for this visa if you need to receive medical care in Germany.
• Germany Visa for Cultural, Sports and Film Crews. Apply for this visa if you need to attend an activity related to culture, sport, religion, or as a part of a film crew.
• Germany Trade Fair & Exhibitions Visa. Apply for this visa if you are planning to participate in a trade fair or exhibition taking place in Germany.
• Germany Training/Internship Visa. Apply for this visa if you want to attend training or do an internship in Germany.

Conclusion

Getting your tourist visa for Germany could be easily done in 1 month. All you need to do is to submit your application after you’re done with your visa appointment and it will take up to 10 business days. If you need assistance and help, you can always contact the embassy for more info. Otherwise, make sure that you have a valid passport and travel document and live in a country where German Embassy is able to send their message.