General information

The issuance of a visa for participation in a national voluntary service is governed by the requirements set out in Section 19c Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) in conjunction with Section 14 Paragraph 1 Number 1 of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV). For participation in a European voluntary service, the requirements set out in Section 19e AufenthG apply.

The duration of the voluntary service can be between six and 18 (exceptionally 24) months, but the general rule is a full year.

The objectives of the voluntary service stay must be, in particular, commitment to the common good, the open-ended acquisition of skills, or a contribution to social cohesion.

Basic information

• If you want to have an appointment to apply for a voluntary service visa, you need to register on the appointment waiting list of the German Embassy Nairobi and mention “voluntary service” as purpose of stay
• After notification of the appointment, the applicant has to appear at the visa section of the German Embassy in Nairobi, located at 113 Riverside Drive, for the appointment.
• All application documents must be submitted in original with 1 copy. Please sort the documents in the order listed below then.
• Documents not in the German or English language must be submitted with a certified German or English translation.
• The Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents in individual cases.
• Incomplete application forms as well as applications with incomplete documents will delay processing and may lead to rejection of the application.
• Processing time is as a rule ca. 1 - 2 months but can take longer in individual cases.
• Please do not contact the mission abroad to check the status of your application during the normal processing period. Such inquiries are extremely time-consuming for the visa section and can thus not be answered.

For your application we require the following documents:

1. Passport and 1 copy of the data page. If you are a foreigner residing in Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Eritrea or the Seychelles, you have to show a valid residence permit for the country of residence.

2. 1 completed and duly signed application form including information provided to applicants pursuant to Section 54 (2) no. 8 in conjunction with Section 53 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

   A digital application form to be completed online can be found on https://videx-national.diplo.de

3. 2 current, identical biometric passport photos with a white background

4. Signed information pursuant to section 18 (2) no. 4a AufenthG

   Requirement to have a concrete job offer

5. Curriculum vitae in German or English, gapless

6. Letter of motivation in German or English

   This letter should explain why you want to volunteer in Germany. Please outline the expectations associated with the planned stay, the anticipated professional and personal benefits, and your future plans.

7. Contract/ arrangement for your voluntary service in Germany:

   a) Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) - Your contract must be signed by you and the Federal Office of Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions (BAFzA), as well as the placement department, headquarters and, where applicable, by the institution implementing the voluntary service.

   b) Voluntary Social Year (FSJ)/ Voluntary Ecological Year (FOJ):

   Your contract must be signed by you and the respective institution, as well as, where applicable, the placement department.

   c) European Voluntary Service (EFD):

   Your contract must be signed by the German National Agency JUGEND für Europa and the coordinating organization. The volunteer agreement, which describes the tasks and planned learning outcomes, must be signed by the coordinating organization and the volunteer.

8. Proof of qualification

   Secondary school qualification (in Kenya: KCSE), if available: vocational school and/or university qualification including transcripts of records

9. Proof of previous professional experience

   Please submit reference letters from your former employers or other documents proving your previous professional experience (employment contract, salary slips, etc.)

10. Evidence of your willingness to return to your country of residence

    For example, a certificate from your current employer or university stating that you are able to resume your employment/studies after the end of your au pair stay.

11. Confirmation from the placement department or the institution implementing the voluntary service that communication at the placement site and educational work are possible even without sufficient knowledge of German OR

    Proof of German language skills

    As proof, a recognized certificate from a testing provider certified according to the standards of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) must be submitted. In Kenya, the Goethe Institute and ÖSD currently issue recognized language certificates.

    Only certificates for which the examination date was no longer than one year ago will be accepted. If individual modules have been repeated, the date of the oldest module passed applies. Taking different test parts from different ALTE certified providers is sufficient.

12. Proof of incoming health insurance coverage, valid for three months beginning with date of entry to Germany
13. Visa fee in the amount 75 Euros (to be paid in Kenyan shillings according to the embassy's exchange rate applicable at the time of application)

This fact sheet reflects the legal situation at the time of drafting it. It is regularly updated but makes no claim to be complete. Authoritative version of the fact sheet is the German version.