How to Obtain a German Visa
There are several different types of visas offered by the German government. The most common visa that is obtained is the German Tourist visa. This visa allows any person to enter the country for 90 days or less on tourism or business purposes. By being granted this visa the visa holder will be allowed to enter the country for a limited amount of time and explore the country’s sites, and experience the German culture.
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Things You'll Need
- Completed Application Form
- 2 Passport Photos
- Valid Passport
- Photocopy of Passport
- Letter from Health Care Insurance Provider
- Return Ticket & Hotel Conformation or Group Itinerary
- Letter of Reference From Employer
- Money Order for the Application Fee
Instructions
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Acquire a valid passport. This passport can be obtained through the applicant’s country of citizenship. A valid passport will be required in order to answer several of the questions on the application form, and must be submitted along with the application. A valid passport is considered to have at least one full blank page and be valid for at least six months after the applicants intended date of arrival.
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Fully complete the application. The application is a web-based application form (see Resources). The application can be filled out in German, English, Russian, Spanish, Turkish or Portuguese. It will ask several questions regarding the applicants name, birth date, passport information, citizenship information, prior work history and previous education. After the application is completed save the form then print and sign it. This printed form will later have to be submitted as part of a complete application package to the German consulate.
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Get your picture taken. The applicant must submit two additional passport photos along with the visa application. Make sure that the photos are taken within the strict passport photo guidelines or they will not be accepted by the German consulate. All official passport photo centers will be able to adhere to these guidelines.
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Photocopy your passport. A photocopy of the applicant’s passport must be submitted along with the application.
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Obtain a conformation letter from your health care provider. This letter must state that the applicant is covered for any injury that may occur within Germany. This includes emergency medical, and hospitalization for at least 30,000 EUR. Only one copy is required.
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Receive a reference letter from your employer. This is to ensure that the applicant has some security outside of Germany and it helps ensure the German government that the applicant is planning on leaving the country.
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Provide documentation of your itinerary while in Germany. This can be done with proof of hotel conformation and return ticket, or the group itinerary if the applicant is traveling within a group.
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Pay the appropriate visa fees. As of April 2010, the visa fees for an applicant in the United States was $92, plus an additional $50 if you would like to have your passport mailed to you. This $50 fee does not need to be paid if you plan on picking up the passport from the consulate.
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Submit the application along with all of the documents in person. An appointment is not required. The application and documentation must be submitted to the consulate within your district. Check the German Missions in the United States website to see what district you belong to (see Resources).
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit passport approval image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
