Online-application

The Consular Services Portal provides an easy and secure online application procedure for visas to enter and stay in Germany. Complete your application online and have it checked in advance by the Embssy to ensure that it is complete. This way you will be well prepared for the in-person appointment at the Embassy where you will provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo). Please find the link to the Consular Services Portal here.

You can apply for the following types of visas online:

• Opportunity Card
• Blue Card (EU)
• Taking up employment as an academic
• Taking up employment as a skilled worker with professional training
• Taking up employment with work experience
• Conducting a qualification analysis
  
• Taking up employment as part of a placement agreement
• Study purposes and seeking a university place (NEW)
• Basic or advanced vocational training and search for a training place (NEW)
• Joining a Spouse (NEW)
• Children joining parents (NEW)
• Parents joining children (NEW)

General information

The waiting lists for appointments to apply for a visa for an au pair stay is available here. The waiting period for an appointment is currently more than one year.

National visas are issued for long-term stays for a particular purpose. They are usually issued for 90 days. After entering Germany, visa holders must apply for a residence permit (as a general rule).

It is advised to apply well in advance (3-6 months before your intended arrival in Germany)!

Processing time is as approximately 8-10 weeks but can take longer in individual cases.

Please do not send any documents to the Embassy unless requested to do so, particularly not before you have applied for a visa.

The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the end of the intended journey and must be recognized by all parties to the Schengen Agreement. Flight reservations are not required to apply for a visa – please only book when you have received your visa.

Please do not contact the Embassy to check the status of your application during the above mentioned processing period. Such inquiries are extremely time-consuming for the visa section and can thus not be answered.

Preparing your application

Preparation steps:

1. You can complete your online application if you apply for the above mentioned types of visa (Opportunity Card, Blue Card (EU), employment as an academic etc.)
2. For all other visa types please fill out and print the visa application.
3. Please compile the documents as stated on the relevant checklist in one identical pile of copies and a second pile consisting of the required originals. Your original documents will be returned to you once your application has been processed.
4. Book an appointment with the Embassy For an appointment for an au pair visa please register in the waiting list, we will provide you with an appointment later on.

Checklists

Click here to see the checklists.

Submitting your application

1. You can only submit your application with an appointment. Please book your appointment here.
2. Bring the printed checklist for your visa type.
3. Please bring your complete documentation. Every application needs to consist of two identical sets according to the checklist (a set of originals and set with copies of all documents including passport/visa copies).
4. The Embassy will ask you questions about your planned trip and take your photograph and fingerprints. Therefore all applications have to be submitted in person!
5. Children/minors under the age of 16 whose parents can not come personally must submit the notarized written consent of their parents or guardian (with notarized copy of the guardianship document) as well as the birth certificate.
6. When your application is incomplete, it will state that you have been informed that your application is not complete and you are aware that submitting an incomplete application can lead to the application being rejected, and that nevertheless, you would like to submit your application at this time.

Further information

• We advise you to print the relevant checklist before the appointment. Make sure all documents are complete by ticking the checklist.
• Documents not in the English, German or French language must be submitted with a certified translation. A translation of the personal data page of the passport is, however, not required.
• LEGALIZATION: For family reunification visa you often need legalized documents. Please find more information here.
• Certificates, diplomas, etc. must be presented in the original eventually with legalization certificate. Please contact the German Embassy of the country where the certificate has been issued. Your original documents will be returned to you once your application has been processed.
• LANGUAGE SKILLS: In some cases, you must demonstrate that you possess a simple knowledge of German before you enter the country. Please find information about German Language Courses in Kigali on the website of the Goethe Institut Kigali.

What happens during processing?

• The Embassy will review your application and take a decision on whether or not to grant you a visa. To this end, it will check whether your application meets the legal requirements.
• The Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents.
• In most cases, visa applications must be approved by the relevant local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) and/or by the Federal Employment Agency in Germany. Therefore, the processing time for a long-term-visa depends on both the complexity of the case and the individual processing times of the local immigration authority in Germany.
• The Embassy will contact you as soon as it has taken a decision on your application.
• Enquiries will only be answered after the normal procesing time has passed.

Return of your passport

• As soon as the Embassy has reached a decision on your application, you should collect your passport in person. If you are not able to collect it yourself, you can authorise another person to do so for you. In order to do so, please fill out the following power of attorney.
• There are various reasons why your visa application may be rejected. The reasons will be stated in the letter notifying you that your application has been rejected.
• You are welcome to submit a new application at any time with complete, informative and verifiable documentation.

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 if there are any mistakes.
• 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 local immigation authority.

• Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area.

  Have a good trip!