​​​​​​​Do I need a visa?

On the Federal Foreign Office webpage you can find out whether you need a visa for visits to Germany and the Schengen states of up to 90 days. Most non-EU-foreigners wanting to work or study in Germany or to stay longer than 90 days in Germany for other purposes usually need a visa.

Overview of visa requirements/exemptions for entry into the Federal Republic of Germany

Kenyan, Burundian, Eritrean and Somali citizens require a visa both for short stays of up to 90 days and for stays exceeding 90 days.

Seychellois citizens only require a visa for stays exceeding 90 days. They do not require a visa for short stays of up to 90 days.

Please use the visa navigator to check what kind of visa you need to apply for.

Area of responsibility of the German Embassy in Nairobi for visa matters

Long-term stays exceeding 90 days (national visas)

All (non-German) foreigners who need visas and reside in

• Kenya
• Burundi
• Eritrea
• the Seychelles and
• Somalia

have to apply for their long-term visas at the German Embassy in Nairobi. Depending on the visa category, they either have to submit their visa applications to the external service provider TLScontact in Nairobi or directly to the German Embassy in Nairobi.

Short-term stays of up to 90 days (Schengen visas)

All foreigners who need visas and reside in

- Kenya

- the Seychelles and

- Somalia

have to apply for their short-term visas at the German Embassy in Nairobi. They have to submit their visa applications to the external service provider TLScontact in Nairobi.

From 1 August 2025, all non-Rwandan foreigners who need visas and reside in Rwanda also have to apply for their short-term visas at the German Embassy in Nairobi and to submit their visa applications to the external service provider TLScontact in Nairobi.

Kindly observe:

Until 31 July 2025, all foreigners who need visas and reside in Sudan can apply both for short-term and for long-term visa applications at the German Embassy in Nairobi. From 1 August 2025, they can only file their visa applications at the German Embassy in Addis Ababa or at the German Embassy in Cairo.

Short-term visa applicants residing in Burundi have to file their visa applications at the Belgian Embassy in Bujumbura.

Short-term visa applicants residing in Eritrea have to file their visa applications at the Italian Embassy in Asmara.

Rwandan short-term visa applicants residing in Rwanda have to file their visa applications at the Belgian Embassy in Nairobi. They have to submit their visa applications to the external service provider TLScontact in Nairobi.

You can find more information about the appointment booking and the application process below.