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Re-entry into Germany
If your German residence permit has been lost in Rwanda or if your residence permit is expired, you may apply for a re-entry visa.
Important information
Before contacting the Embassy, you are requested to contact the local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) responsible for you and request the issuance of a prior approval (Vorabzustimmung). This can significantly speed up the process. Please note, however, that there is no legal entitlement to this. The immigration authorities are not obliged to issue such a prior approval; it is at their discretion. Applying for a re-entry visa is not possible if your right of residence in Germany has already expired. This is generally the case after a stay outside of Germany exceeding six months, unless the competent immigration authority has given its prior approval.
General Information
All information regarding the scheduling of appointments can be found here .
| Visa Category | |
| National Visa | Fee |
| Regular | 75,- € |
| Reduced | 37,50,- € |
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.
Your guide to arriving in Germany: Make it in Germany
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.
Information on this visa category
- It is recommended that before traveling to Rwanda, you ensure that you hold a valid German residence permit at the time of your return journey and that all information in the residence permit is up to date.
- If you are denied departure from Rwanda, please note that the Embassy has no influence over the decisions of the Rwandan authorities and cannot issue a consular certificate for departure from Rwanda.
- You do not require a re-entry visa in the following cases:
- If you have renewed your passport and the passport number of your new passport no longer matches the passport number in your still valid residence permit.
- If you hold a provisional residence document (“Fiktionsbescheinigung”) and one of the two last-mentioned alternatives on the back is checked.
- If you have further questions as to whether your residence permit or other proof is sufficient for a return journey to Germany, you may send an email to visa@kiga.diplo.de before your trip.
- If you have lost your German residence permit in Rwanda, if it has been stolen, you may apply for a re-entry visa. To do so, please gather the documents mentioned below in the section “Preparing the Application - Re-entry” as scans in an email to visa@kiga.diplo.de.
- The visa section will then contact you promptly regarding an appointment. Please note that there is limited capacity for re-entry visa applications, and waiting times may therefore occur. In any case, ensure that you enter Rwanda only with a residence permit that is valid at the time of your expected departure.
- Please note that appointments are required; walk-ins are not possible.
Required Documents
Please submit all necessary documents (see below). If an original document is available, it must be presented in addition to the required simple copy. Originals will be returned to you once the processing is complete. All documents not issued in German, English, or French must be submitted together with a translation. Missing documents or evidence may lead to the rejection of the application.
In your application form, you provide all information regarding your entry and your stay in Germany. Please fill out this form completely, print it, and sign it yourself.
Link to the form: “VIDEX”
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.
The document must have at least two blank pages (in the event of a positive decision, your visa will be pasted here).
Once a successful decision has been made regarding your visa application, we request that you send us proof of incoming health insurance, which must be valid for three months starting from the desired date of entry.
Police loss report, if your passport / residence permit has been lost or stolen.
A copy of your certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung) from Germany
Evidence of your permanent residence in Germany, such as an old passport containing the previous residence permit for Germany (a copy is also sufficient), your registration certificate, your health insurance card, or salary slips
A brief explanation as to why a valid residence permit is no longer available.
Prior approval (Vorabzustimmung) from the competent immigration authority.
If applicable, documents indicating the urgency of your immediate departure.