​​​​​​​Do I need a visa?

Generally speaking, all foreigners require a visa for stays in Germany. A visa is not required for visits of up to 90 days in an 180 day period for nationals of those countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement.

List of all countries whose citizens require a visa to enter Germany.

For whom is the German Embassy in Kenya the competent visa authority?

To enter Germany and the Schengen area, Kenyan, Burundian, Eritrean and Somali nationals will require a visa. Seychellois nationals only need a visa for stays exceeding 90 days.

All applicants residing in Kenya and Somalia have to submit their applications in Nairobi. The German Embassy Nairobi has outsourced the receipt of Schengen visa applications and national visa applications for the purpose of vocational training, studies, measures regarding the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, research/academics, taking up employment as a skilled worker holding a university degree (including EU Blue Card) or with training qualification, advanced vocational training and internships/training programmes to the external service provider TLScontact. All applications for Schengen visa and the mentioned national visa categories must be handed in at the Visa Application Center of TLScontact in Nairobi. Please refer to the website of TLScontact which will guide you through the process.

Long term visa applicants for other purposes as the ones mentioned above residing in Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea, Burundi and Seychelles have to apply at the German Embassy Nairobi.

Short term visa applicants (Schengen Visa) residing in Seychelles (third country nationals) need to apply at the German Embassy in Nairobi as the competent visa section.

Kindly observe:

Short term visa applicants (Schengen Visa) residing in Burundi need to apply at the Belgian Embassy in Bujumbura as the competent visa section for German Schengen visa applicants.
Short term visa applicants (Schengen Visa) residing in Eritrea need to apply at the Italian Embassy in Asmara as the competent visa section for German Schengen visa applicants.
The visa applicants residing in South Sudan must apply at the German Embassy Kampala, Uganda.
Please note that you have to reside in one of those countries for more than six months in order to be eligible to apply with the Embassy in Nairobi.

Which type of visa do I need?

The type of visa you need and the required procedures depends on how long you plan to stay.
Are you planning a short visit to Germany, e.g. for a holiday? Or would you like to stay longer, e.g. to attend university? Please choose how long you are planning to stay.

Which type of visa do I need for my trip to Germany?

You will find further information on requirements, and how to book an appointment below.