Europe · Schengen
Visa for Germany
Updated: October 2026 · Blue Card 2026: €50,700 / €45,900.
Who needs a visa?
German and EU citizens travel visa-free. Anyone living in Germany with a residence permit or national visa also needs no visa for travel within Schengen (up to 90 days in any 180). A Schengen visa is required for citizens of Ukraine (non-biometric passport only), Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, China, India and other third countries entering from outside Schengen – for example your parents or relatives visiting you. Ukrainians with a biometric passport travel visa-free.
Fees and processing time
Schengen visa type C: €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6–11, free under 6 (since 11 June 2024). Facilitation agreements with €35 apply to some countries. Standard processing 15 calendar days, up to 45 days in high season or with queries. Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel. Visa centres (VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS) charge an additional service fee of about €30–45.
Where to apply?
At the consulate or visa centre of the country where the applicant legally resides – i.e. in the home country, not in Germany. The competent country is the main destination (longest stay); if equal, the country of first entry. For a visit to you in Germany you provide the invitation and, if needed, a formal obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung, § 68 AufenthG) from your immigration office; we prepare both.
Specifics
For Germany we mainly support national visas (type D): EU Blue Card (2026 salary threshold €50,700, shortage occupations €45,900), skilled worker visa § 18a/18b AufenthG with a recognised qualification, Chancenkarte for job search (points system, €1,091/month in a blocked account), study (blocked account €11,904/year), family reunification (German A1 for spouses), Vander Elst visa for posted third-country workers of EU firms. Fee €75, processing 4–12 weeks, application online via the Foreign Office portal and appointment at the German embassy in the country of residence. For inviting relatives (Schengen C) we prepare the formal obligation and invitation. Details: our EU work visas page.
Visa types
| Category | Who it is for | Government fee | Processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa C – visit | Visiting family or friends, tourism, up to 90 days | €90 | 15 days |
| Schengen visa C – business | Negotiations, trade fairs, training; company invitation | €90 | 15 days |
| Schengen visa C – multiple entry | 1–5 years with a good visa history | €90 | 15 days |
| National visa D | Work, study, family reunification, stays over 90 days | €75–180 | 4–12 weeks |
Documents
- Passport (valid 3 months beyond return, 2 blank pages)
- Application form and biometric photo
- Travel health insurance covering at least €30,000
- Proof of accommodation or invitation with a copy of the host's ID/residence permit
- Proof of funds: 3 months of bank statements or a formal obligation
- Proof of intention to return: employment contract, property, family at home
- For children: birth certificate and consent of both parents
What we do for you
- Check the category and assess your chances honestly
- Personal checklist, check of every document
- Complete the online form from your details, write the cover letter
- Book the visa centre or consulate appointment, prepare you for questions
- Arrange translations, apostille, insurance
- Track status, answer queries, explain the decision
Common mistakes
Wrong main destination chosen (application returned as inadmissible); insurance not covering all travel days; bank statements with sudden unexplained cash deposits; invitation without a copy of the host's residence permit; contradictory information about previous travel or refusals.
Our fee: Document check from €150, full support for one application from €490. Government fees, translations and apostille are charged separately and quoted in advance. Prices →