1. Preparing your application

You should start preparing your application as soon as you have plans to stay long term in Germany. The entire visa application process can take several months.
Please prepare your application as follows:

• Use the online application form at https://videx-national.diplo.de and bring a copy of it to your appointment.
• Compile the documents you need to submit with your application. If documents or supporting documents are missing, your application may be rejected. We have prepared checklists for various purposes of residence, which you can find below.
• Important information: Please do not send the Visa Section any documents unless requested to do so, particularly not before you have submitted your application. We are not able to store such documents and we will not know to which application they belong. Please always bring the complete documentation with you to your appointment.

2. Submitting your application

In order to submit your application, please attend your appointment at the Embassy or the TLS office in person.
Please hand in your complete documentation and pay the fee.
The fees are as follows:

National visa (long-term):

* Adult (18 years and above): EUR 75,-

* Minor: EUR 37,50

Exemption of fees (free visa):

- Spouses of German/E.U. or EEA nationals

- Minor children of German/ or EEA nationals

- Parents of German/E.U. or EEA minor children

3. What happens during processing?

The Embassy will review your application and make a decision on whether or not to grant you a visa. To this end, it will check whether your application meets the legal requirements.
Depending on the purpose of your trip, it can take up to three months to check your application, in special cases, e.g. where a document verification is required processing can be significantly longer. The Embassy will contact you as soon as it has made a decision on your application.
We hope you will understand that we are not able to answer any questions on the status of your application during this processing period. After that, enquiries are only answered if they are made by the applicant, his/her legal representative or another person authorised in writing by the applicant.

4. Return of your passport

For convenience, you have the possibility to have your passport and visa returned by a courier service provider of your choice, so that your passport can be returned to you as soon the Embassy has decided upon your application.

The prepared delivery slips with the address of your choice have to be handed in together with your visa application form. Kindly note that the usual delivery times apply according to the operations of the courier service provider.

5. Have a good trip! Information for visa holders

If all the information on your visa label is correct, you are free to travel.
Please check the information on the label as soon as your passport is returned to you. You should let us know immediately (send us a mail to visainfo@nair.diplo.de) if there are any mistakes so that we can issue you a new visa.
Your visa will state your full name and passport number and include your photo. It will also state the number of days you can stay and the period of validity, that is, the time by which you must have received your residence permit for Germany.
Therefore, please do not forget to register at the residents registration office shortly after you arrive in Germany and to make an appointment with the foreigners authority.
Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area.

6. Further questions?

You are welcome to check our FAQs.