Visa fees must be paid either by international credit card (Visa / Mastercard) or in cash in RWF at the current exchange rate.

The duration of the entire visa process varies significantly: it can take from a few working days to several months. We cannot guarantee a specific processing time, as domestic German authorities must be involved during the process, and the German Embass in Kigali has no influence over their processing times. The final review and decision by the German Embassy can only take place after the feedback from Germany has been received. Please plan for a processing time of approximately three months. In individual cases, it may take longer.

The Embassy in Kigali reviews and decides on your application. In doing so, the legal requirements are always examined on a case-by-case basis based on the submitted application documents. Depending on the purpose of the stay, this review may take from a few working days to several months. The processing time increases if documents require more intensive scrutiny or if further research regarding the applicant or the actual purpose of the stay is necessary.

Regarding inquiries: For data protection reasons, detailed information can only be provided to the applicant, their legal representative, or a representative with written power of attorney. Other inquiries from third parties unfortunately cannot be answered. We ask for your understanding that the visa section is not reachable by telephone due to capacity constraints. However, you may send us a message at visa@kiga.diplo.de.

Exception: For applicants participating in the accelerated procedure for skilled workers, the processing time is generally three weeks after the application has been submitted. The processing time may be extended if additional documents are requested or if further questions must be clarified.

As a general rule, you must collect your passport in person.

Once a decision has been made on your application, you will be informed about the collection either via an email through the Consular Services Portal or by telephone.

Please check the website for information regarding public holidays on which the Embassy is closed.

Upon receiving your passport, please check that all details on the visa label are correct. Please notify us immediately of any errors so that we can issue a new visa. With a national visa, you may travel within the Schengen area. Everyone residing in Germany must be registered. You should do this at the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) or citizens' office (Bürgeramt) no later than two weeks after moving in. Please contact the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in your place of residence in Germany well before your visa expires to apply for your residence permit.

If your visa application has been rejected, this may be for various reasons. These reasons will be stated in the notice of refusal.

The overview of required documents indicates whether you must provide a language certificate. Currently recognized providers of language certificates are:

• Language certificates from the Goethe-Institut e.V.
• Language certificates from telc Gmbh
• Language certificates from the Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD)
• “TestDaF” from the TestDaF-Institut e.V. (Institute of the FernUniversität in Hagen and the Ruhr-University Bochum, examination level from B2 CEFR onwards)
• Language certificates from the ECL Examination Centre

The certificate must not be older than 12 months at the time of application. If you have taken the examination in various modules/partial exams, all modules must have been completed with the same provider. Evidence of different exam parts from different providers is not sufficient.

The Embassy is aware of cases where language certificates have been issued or obtained fraudulently. The Embassy reserves the right to verify your German language skills. Insufficient German language proficiency may be a ground for the refusal of a visa application.

In your application form, please provide all information regarding your entry into and stay in Germany. Please complete this form in full, print it, and sign it yourself.

Link to the “VIDEX” form.

Two current biometric passport photos (45mm x 35mm). Information on biometric passport photos can be found here.

Please paste only one passport photo onto the application form and attach the second one separately.

Proof of sufficient health insurance coverage for entry, valid from the requested date of entry and for a duration of at least three months.

If you are subject to compulsory statutory health insurance as an employee, please note that this only takes effect upon establishing residence in Germany and commencing employment. Since this does not apply immediately upon entry, additional private health insurance must be taken out until the employment begins and enrollment in the statutory health insurance is possible. Travel health insurance policies may exclude coverage in their terms and conditions if a long-term or permanent stay is planned. So-called “incoming insurance” may also contain such exclusions.

The contract or agreement regarding the voluntary service must be submitted in the original.

Note on the Federal Volunteer Service (Bundesfreiwilligendienst): Your contract must be signed by you, the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks (BAFzA), the placement agency, the central office, and, if applicable, the organization implementing the voluntary service (provider).

Note on youth voluntary services (Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) or Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ)): Your contract must be signed by you, the respective provider, and, if applicable, the placement agency.

You must prove that your living expenses are secured during your stay in Germany. As a rule, you will receive a pocket money allowance from your placement agency, and in some cases, accommodation and meals. Please refer to the overview “Salary Thresholds and Necessary Financial Requirements in the Visa Process” above for the exact amounts.

Please provide a confirmation clearly stating how much pocket money and which other benefits you will receive for your assignment.

Exception: If this information is already included in the contract or the agreement regarding the voluntary service, no additional confirmation is required.

Note: In individual cases, if the pocket money and other benefits from the placement agency are insufficient to secure your living expenses, it may be necessary to provide additional proof for the deficit, for example, via a blocked account. Should this be the case, you will be contacted during the application review

Basic knowledge of the German language is generally desired. Please note the information in the section “German language certificates” above.

Please provide a letter from the placement agency or the provider stating whether and at what level German language skills are required for the intended activity. If applicable, the placement agency or provider should confirm that communication at the placement site and the educational work are possible even without sufficient German language skills. If a free or low-cost language course is planned, a confirmation from the placement agency or the provider is requested.