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Long-term stays (longer than 90 days)
For long-term stays (more than 90 days, e.g. to attend University, work or join a Family member) in Germany, non-EU-nationals need a visa.
National Visa
For long-term stays (more than 90 days, e.g. to attend University, work or join a family member) in Germany, non-EU-nationals need a visa.
National visas are issued for long-term stays for a particular purpose. Usually issued for 90 days, such visas may be issued for up to a year in certain cases. After entering Germany, visa holders must apply for a residence permit as a general rule.
Please note that visa applications will be handled in Copenhagen only. Our honorary consuls cannot help you in this matter.
Online applications
Online applications can be submitted via the consular services portal (Auslandsportal) here.
- Entry Visa Blue Card - without family
- Skilled Workers, Academic Degree - without family
- Skilled Workers, Vocational Training Qualification - without family
- Opportunity Card (online version)
Applications at the Embassy
- Visa to work as an Au-Pair
- Visa to perform voluntary service
- Visa for the purpose of self-employment PDF / 921 KB
- Vander Elst-Visas to provide temporary service in Germany
- Working Holiday Visa
Online applications
- Entry Visa Blue Card - with family
- Skilled Workers, Academic Degree - with family
- Skilled Workers, Vocational Training Qualification - with family
- Visa for IT Specialists
- Opportunity Card
- Visa for Language Course
- Visa for Research
- Visa for doctorate/PhD students
- Student Visa
- Visa for Internship
- Visa for professional drivers
- Zusatzblatt C for professional drivers
- Visa for vocational training
- Family reunion
Further information/forms
- Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis
- Zusatzblatt A zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis
- Proof of knowledge of basic German for spousal reunification (German, English, Arabic)
- Exemption from language requirements
- German Courses/Examinations
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.
In the visa navigator of the Federal Foreign Office you will find an overview of the different visa categories.
Prepare your application in the following three steps:
- Please fill out the visa application form and bring two printouts to your Appointment.
- Please compile the documents you need to submit with your application. If documents or supporting documents are missing, your application may be rejected. We have compiled the appropriate information sheet for you, depending on the purpose of your trip.
- Please book an appointment to submit your application. Continue to appointment booking
Attention: In case of your application being launched digitally through our online portal, you will be given an individual link to book an appointment once your documents have been approved. Do not book an individual appointment beforehand. - Sample Photo and requirements
Submitting your application
In order to submit your application, please attend your appointment at the German Embassy in Copenhagen in person. Please hand in your complete documentation and pay the fee.
- Visa fees are fixed by law in €. Cash payments are to be made in DKK (at the official Embassy exchange rate).
- Fees can also be paid with a credit card (MasterCard or Visa). Kindly note: Physical cards only, no mobile phone payments/no “Mobile Pay” options. Only the credit card owner can sign for the payment. Cards will be debited in €.
- As the credit card payment does currently not function in a stable way, you are kindly requested to provide for cash payment in DKK as a default.
What happens during processing?
The Embassy will review your application and take a decision on whether or not to grant you a visa, based on legal requirements. Depending on the purpose of your trip, it can take several weeks/months to process your application. The Embassy will contact you as soon as a decision has been made. Please refrain from any queries regarding the status of your application during this processing time.
Delivery of the visa
As soon as the Embassy has reached a decision on your application, you can collect your visa upon presentation of your passport. The Embassy will send you an email.
Have a good trip! Information for visa holders
If all information on your visa sticker is correct, you are free to travel. Please check your visa as soon as your passport is returned to you. You should let us know immediately if there are any mistakes so that we can re-issue your 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 resident’s registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgerbüro) shortly after you arrive in Germany and to make an appointment with the relevant alien office (Ausländerbehörde). Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area.
You can also use the Ankommen app, which can accompany you in your first few weeks. It provides a lot of information on Germany in general as well as the language, rules and regulations and what you should pay attention to. The app comes free of charge and in five different languages.
Further information
Upon receiving an official letter rejecting a visa application the applicant has three possibilities:
- The applicant, at any point of time, may apply again for a visa.
- Request for a re-assessment of the visa application. This procedure is called remonstration. It is free of charge. You have to submit a signed remonstration letter to the competent mission within a month upon receiving the rejection. It has to be clear that the letter was sent by you. You have to give reasons for your request for the re-assessment and submit new and/or supplementary information/documentation.
- The applicant may file a law suit against the refusal. The application will then be re-assessed by the administrative court in Berlin.
One way of proving in the visa application procedure that you have sufficient financial means is a blocked bank account.
Cash sums totalling 10,000 or more euros on trips to and from Germany must be declared to the customs authorities. This applies to both cash and equivalent means of payment.
Obligation to declare cash when travelling to or from Germany