German Visa
The visa is the necessary precondition for entering the Federal Republic of Germany, unless your home country is exempt from the visa requirement.
At a glance
Legal basis
Two types
Schengen visa · national visa
National visa
Where a longer stay is intended from the outset
Where to apply
German mission abroad in your home country
German visa: Schengen or national visa
A distinction is drawn between the Schengen visa and the national visa. The Schengen visa is limited to 90 days and is therefore suitable where entry serves short-term purposes only.
If a longer stay is already intended at the time of entry, a national visa must be applied for.
What the decision depends on
Whether the national visa is granted depends on the purpose of your entry and stay in the Federal Republic of Germany. If you intend to work in Germany, the work permit has to be examined at the same time; where you join family members, the rules on family reunification apply. After entry, the visa becomes the residence permit.
