Visa Information

Overview

Applicants who intend to travel for business purposes, i.e. visiting a company to have meetings, to make business deals, to train or other work related activities can apply for a Business visa.

Every Business visa application has to be confirmed by an invitation letter from a company based in Germany.

Visa Fees

With effect from 20 November 2021, the visa fees are as follow: Visa Fee may vary depending on the current exchange rate.

Note:

A service charge of Php 1150 and Php 1210 in VFS Manila and VFS Cebu, respectively is levied per applicant on top of the Visa Fee. All fees is collected online during the appointment.

An official receipt should be obtained for all payments made. Applicants may opt for a courier-assisted facility whereby your passport and other documents will be returned via courier. This facility is available at an extra cost.

Please note that the visa fees are indicated above. No other amount will be requested for the visa issuance or for urgent processing

Terms and Conditions:

Kindly be informed that logistic fee and other additional service fees are not refundable once the payment has been made.

Documents Required

All of the required documentation listed below is mandatory for all applicants, including such cases where flights, accommodation, insurance and other items may be arranged by applicant’s employer, travel companies or any other companies or individuals.

We therefore strongly advise that applicants provide the documents as listed below, and should not provide documents based on any other source. If documents provided are not as per the requirements below, this may lead to delays at the application center, and in some cases applicants may be required to take new appointments to resubmit their application.

Business Visa Checklist

	Click here to download document checklist for Business visa
	Click here to download the list of accredited Travel Health Insurances in the Philippines
	Click here to download this form needs to filled up and signed by the host /inviting company in Germany.

Photo Specifications

Click here to view a sample biometric photo

• The photograph must be in colour.
• It should have a white background.
• It should have a close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.
• It should be in sharp focus and clean.
• It should be of high quality with no ink marks and creases.
• The photograph must show you looking directly at the camera.
• It should be 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm.
• It should show your skin tone naturally.
• It should have appropriate brightness and contrast.
• The photograph should be a recent one not more than 6 months old.
• It is to be taken without headgear.
• It should be without the applicant's hair tucked behind his/her ears.
• The photograph should not have any staple marks.
• Scanned & colour photocopies would NOT be accepted.

Information for visa applicants

Only one photograph should be attached to the application, the other should be kept in the passport. Neither should have any staple pin marks disfiguring the face or background.

Processing Time

Estimated processing time is 2 to 3 weeks, so applicants are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

Please be advised that due to the above-mentioned minimum processing time, we are not able to guarantee the return of passports by specific dates for travel.

Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences

Every applicant can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Furthermore applicants need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all applicants:

1. to book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. to ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. to leave enough processing time for the Mission

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite applicants for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which applicants accept responsibility for.

Download Forms

Application Form

For Germany every applicant needs to provide a signed printout from a Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each applicant first needs to duly complete the online visa application form as follows:

1. Click online Visa Application form
2. Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
3. Print completed online visa application form with barcode
4. Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
5. Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
6. Please note that VIDEX form must be printed from PDF File and choosing the print setting under actual size. For further help refer to Print Dialog Settings file.

Important reminders when completing your VIDEX online application form:

• Surname at Birth should be your Middle Name. For example, applicant’s full name is Juan Cruz Santos, kindly enter Cruz as your Surname at Birth
• Passport details: Issuing government should be the country where it was issuedi.e. Philippines whereas Issued by should only indicate the information about the issuing authority i.e. DFA and Issued in should be the city where it was issued i.e. NCR, Tuguegarao.
• Please also provide your email address and telephone number on the part of the VIDEX form asking for applicant’s address
• Reference person and address – please ensure that the address on field No 31.A/31. B/31.C must be name of inviting person or Hotel, email address, contact number and address must be in Germany and no other country
• 32. A/32. B/32.C – Please also provide the name of the organization/company, address, contact number and email address of the inviting person / organizationcompany in Germany.
• Date of Birth – please use the German standard (Day, month, year)

For Seafarers:

1. Purpose: always tick number 12 (Transit)
2. Postal code – please omit “D” in the postal code, only digits must remain
3. City (under reference) – please omit “Deutschland”, only the name of the city

Overview

A Trade Fair/Exhibitor’s visa is applicable for those travelling to attend or participate as an Exhibitor in the trade fair. This visa is given for travel period of less than 90 days; such visas can only be issued to travelers not being paid for work by an entity in Germany. If the applicant intends to undertake paid work in Germany, he/she will need to obtain the proper Work visa. Kindly refer to the information sheet for the required documents.

Please note:

Visas for visitors or exhibitors of fairs are currently not issued due to the EU entry restrictions.

Visa Fees

With effect from 20 November 2021, the visa fees are as follow: Visa Fee may vary depending on the current exchange rate.

Note:

A service charge of Php 1150 and Php 1210 in VFS Manila and VFS Cebu, respectively is levied per applicant on top of the Visa Fee. All fees is collected online during the appointment.

An official receipt should be obtained for all payments made. Applicants may opt for a courier-assisted facility whereby your passport and other documents will be returned via courier. This facility is available at an extra cost.

Please note that the visa fees are indicated above. No other amount will be requested for the visa issuance or for urgent processing

Terms and Conditions:

Kindly be informed that logistic fee and other additional service fees are not refundable once the payment has been made.

Documents Required

All of the required documentation listed below is mandatory for all applicants, including such cases where flights, accommodation, insurance and other items may be arranged by applicant’s employer, travel companies or any other companies or individuals.

We therefore strongly advise that applicants provide the documents as listed below, and should not provide documents based on any other source. If documents provided are not as per the requirements below, this may lead to delays at the application centre, and in some cases applicants may be required to take new appointments to resubmit their application.

Fair Visit/Exhibitor Visa Checklist

	Click here to download document checklist for Fair Visit/ Exhibitor visa
	Click here to download the list of accredited Travel Health Insurances in the Philippines

Photo Specifications

Click here to view a sample biometric photo

• The photograph must be in colour.
• It should have a white background.
• It should have a close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.
• It should be in sharp focus and clean.
• It should be of high quality with no ink marks and creases.
• The photograph must show you looking directly at the camera.
• It should be 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm.
• It should show your skin tone naturally.
• It should have appropriate brightness and contrast.
• The photograph should be a recent one not more than 6 months old.
• It is to be taken without headgear.
• It should be without the applicant's hair tucked behind his/her ears.
• The photograph should not have any staple marks.
• Scanned & colour photocopies would NOT be accepted.

Information for visa applicants

Only one photograph should be attached to the application, the other should be kept in the passport. Neither should have any staple pin marks disfiguring the face or background.

Processing Time

Estimated processing time is 2 to 3 weeks, so applicants are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

Please be advised that due to the above-mentioned minimum processing time, we are not able to guarantee the return of passports by specific dates for travel.

Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences

Every applicant can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Furthermore applicants need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all applicants:

1. to book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. to ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. to leave enough processing time for the Mission

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite applicants for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which applicants accept responsibility for.

Download Forms

Application Form

For Germany every applicant needs to provide a signed printout from a Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each applicant first needs to duly complete the online visa application form as follows:

1. Click online Visa Application form
2. Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
3. Print completed online visa application form with barcode
4. Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
5. Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
6. Please note that VIDEX form must be printed from PDF File and choosing the print setting under actual size. For further help refer to Print Dialog Settings file.

Important reminders when completing your VIDEX online application form:

• Surname at Birth should be your Middle Name. For example, applicant’s full name is Juan Cruz Santos, kindly enter Cruz as your Surname at Birth
• Passport details: Issuing government should be the country where it was issuedi.e. Philippines whereas Issued by should only indicate the information about the issuing authority i.e. DFA and Issued in should be the city where it was issued i.e. NCR, Tuguegarao.
• Please also provide your email address and telephone number on the part of the VIDEX form asking for applicant’s address
• Reference person and address – please ensure that the address on field No 31.A/31. B/31.C must be name of inviting person or Hotel, email address, contact number and address must be in Germany and no other country
• 32. A/32. B/32.C – Please also provide the name of the organization/company, address, contact number and email address of the inviting person / organization company in Germany.
• Date of Birth – please use the German standard (Day, month, year)

For Seafarers:

1. Purpose: always tick number 12 (Transit)
2. Postal code – please omit “D” in the postal code, only digits must remain
3. City (under reference) – please omit “Deutschland”, only the name of the city

Overview

Schengen visas have to be obtained from the Embassy of the country where the main purpose of travel is. Therefore, please check your travel plans before lodging your visa application at the German Embassy. In case of travel to multiple Schengen countries, please lodge your application at the Embassy where you will be staying the longest, OR the first point of entry if traveling with equal number of days.

This visa is solely for the purpose of leisure travel including vacationing, cruising, sightseeing and other recreational activities. If during any portion of their visit to the applicant intends to engage in business, or official duties he/she must refer to other relevant visa categories.

Please note:

Visas for tourism are currently not issued due to the EU entry restrictions.

Current Purpose of Tourist Visa Accepted.

Tourist Visa (fully Vaccinated)

• Only persons who have been completely vaccinated with a vaccine listed on the Paul-Erhlich-Institut (PEI) Website, may enter Germany.

Visa Fees

With effect from 20 November 2021, the visa fees are as follow: Visa Fee may vary depending on the current exchange rate.

Note:

A service charge of Php 1150 and Php 1210 in VFS Manila and VFS Cebu, respectively is levied per applicant on top of the Visa Fee. All fees is collected online during the appointment.

An official receipt should be obtained for all payments made. Applicants may opt for a courier-assisted facility whereby your passport and other documents will be returned via courier. This facility is available at an extra cost.

Please note that the visa fees are indicated above. No other amount will be requested for the visa issuance or for urgent processing

Terms and Conditions:

Kindly be informed that logistic fee and other additional service fees are not refundable once the payment has been made.

Documents Required

All of the required documentation listed below is mandatory for all applicants, including such cases where flights, accommodation, insurance and other items may be arranged by applicant’s employer, travel companies or any other companies or individuals.

We therefore strongly advise that applicants provide the documents as listed below, and should not provide documents based on any other source. If documents provided are not as per the requirements below, this may lead to delays at the application centre, and in some cases applicants may be required to take new appointments to resubmit their application.

Tourist Visa Checklist

	Click here to download document checklist for Tourist visa
	Click here to download the list of accredited Travel Health Insurances in the Philippines

Photo Specifications

Click here to view a sample biometric photo

• The photograph must be in colour.
• It should have a white background.
• It should have a close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.
• It should be in sharp focus and clean.
• It should be of high quality with no ink marks and creases.
• The photograph must show you looking directly at the camera.
• It should be 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm.
• It should show your skin tone naturally.
• It should have appropriate brightness and contrast.
• The photograph should be a recent one not more than 6 months old.
• It is to be taken without headgear.
• It should be without the applicant's hair tucked behind his/her ears.
• The photograph should not have any staple marks.
• Scanned & colour photocopies would NOT be accepted.

Information for visa applicants

Only one photograph should be attached to the application, the other should be kept in the passport. Neither should have any staple pin marks disfiguring the face or background.

Processing Time

Estimated processing time is 2 to 3 weeks, so applicants are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

Please be advised that due to the above-mentioned minimum processing time, we are not able to guarantee the return of passports by specific dates for travel.

Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences

Every applicant can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Furthermore applicants need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all applicants:

1. to book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. to ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. to leave enough processing time for the Mission

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite applicants for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which applicants accept responsibility for.

Download Forms

Application Form

For Germany every applicant needs to provide a signed printout from a Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each applicant first needs to duly complete the online visa application form as follows:

1. Click online Visa Application form
2. Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
3. Print completed online visa application form with barcode
4. Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
5. Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
6. Please note that VIDEX form must be printed from PDF File and choosing the print setting under actual size. For further help refer to Print Dialog Settings file.

Important reminders when completing your VIDEX online application form:

• Surname at Birth should be your Middle Name. For example, applicant’s full name is Juan Cruz Santos, kindly enter Cruz as your Surname at Birth
• Passport details: Issuing government should be the country where it was issuedi.e. Philippines whereas Issued by should only indicate the information about the issuing authority i.e. DFA and Issued in should be the city where it was issued i.e. NCR, Tuguegarao.
• Please also provide your email address and telephone number on the part of the VIDEX form asking for applicant’s address
• Reference person and address – please ensure that the address on field No 31.A/31. B/31.C must be name of inviting person or Hotel, email address, contact number and address must be in Germany and no other country
• 32. A/32. B/32.C – Please also provide the name of the organization/company, address, contact number and email address of the inviting person / organization company in Germany.
• Date of Birth – please use the German standard (Day, month, year)

For Seafarers:

1. Purpose: always tick number 12 (Transit)
2. Postal code – please omit “D” in the postal code, only digits must remain
3. City (under reference) – please omit “Deutschland”, only the name of the city

Overview

This visa is for those who intend to visit their family or friends who legally reside in Germany. If during any portion of their visit to Germany the applicant intends to engage in business, or official duties he/she must refer to other relevant visa categories.

Current Purpose of Visit Visa Accepted.

Visit Visa Core Family Member/imperative reason

• the inviting person must be a core Family or if there is a Medical or Imperative reason

Visit Visa (Unmarried Couple)

• Unmarried couples are no longer required to have lived together or met in Germany however they still need to have met in person even once (in any country)

Visit Visa (fully Vaccinated)

• Only persons who have been completely vaccinated with a vaccine listed on the Paul-Erhlich-Institut (PEI) Website, may enter Germany.

Visa Fees

With effect from 20 November 2021, the visa fees are as follow: Visa Fee may vary depending on the current exchange rate.

Note:

A service charge of Php 1150 and Php 1210 in VFS Manila and VFS Cebu, respectively is levied per applicant on top of the Visa Fee. All fees is collected online during the appointment.

An official receipt should be obtained for all payments made. Applicants may opt for a courier-assisted facility whereby your passport and other documents will be returned via courier. This facility is available at an extra cost.

Please note that the visa fees are indicated above. No other amount will be requested for the visa issuance or for urgent processing

Terms and Conditions:

Kindly be informed that logistic fee and other additional service fees are not refundable once the payment has been made.

Documents Required

All of the required documentation listed below is mandatory for all applicants, including such cases where flights, accommodation, insurance and other items may be arranged by applicant’s employer, travel companies or any other companies or individuals.

We therefore strongly advise that applicants provide the documents as listed below, and should not provide documents based on any other source. If documents provided are not as per the requirements below, this may lead to delays at the application centre, and in some cases applicants may be required to take new appointments to resubmit their application.

Visit Visa Checklist

	Click here to download document checklist for visit visa fully Vaccinated and Core Family Member/Imperative reason.
	Click here to download the list of accredited Travel Health Insurances in the Philippines
	Click here to download document checklist for visit visa Unmarried Couple.
	Click here to download Relationship Declaration for visit visa Unmarried Couple.

Photo Specifications

Click here to view a sample biometric photo

• The photograph must be in colour.
• It should have a white background.
• It should have a close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.
• It should be in sharp focus and clean.
• It should be of high quality with no ink marks and creases.
• The photograph must show you looking directly at the camera.
• It should be 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm.
• It should show your skin tone naturally.
• It should have appropriate brightness and contrast.
• The photograph should be a recent one not more than 6 months old.
• It is to be taken without headgear.
• It should be without the applicant's hair tucked behind his/her ears.
• The photograph should not have any staple marks.
• Scanned & colour photocopies would NOT be accepted.

Information for visa applicants

Only one photograph should be attached to the application, the other should be kept in the passport. Neither should have any staple pin marks disfiguring the face or background.

Processing Time

Estimated processing time is 2 to 3 weeks, so applicants are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

Please be advised that due to the above-mentioned minimum processing time, we are not able to guarantee the return of passports by specific dates for travel.

Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences

Every applicant can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Furthermore applicants need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all applicants:

1. to book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. to ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. to leave enough processing time for the Mission

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite applicants for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which applicants accept responsibility for.

Download Forms

Application Form

For Germany every applicant needs to provide a signed printout from a Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each applicant first needs to duly complete the online visa application form as follows:

1. Click online Visa Application form
2. Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
3. Print completed online visa application form with barcode
4. Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
5. Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
6. Please note that VIDEX form must be printed from PDF File and choosing the print setting under actual size. For further help refer to Print Dialog Settings file.

Important reminders when completing your VIDEX online application form:

• Surname at Birth should be your Middle Name. For example, applicant’s full name is Juan Cruz Santos, kindly enter Cruz as your Surname at Birth
• Passport details: Issuing government should be the country where it was issuedi.e. Philippines whereas Issued by should only indicate the information about the issuing authority i.e. DFA and Issued in should be the city where it was issued i.e. NCR, Tuguegarao.
• Please also provide your email address and telephone number on the part of the VIDEX form asking for applicant’s address
• Reference person and address – please ensure that the address on field No 31.A/31. B/31.C must be name of inviting person or Hotel, email address, contact number and address must be in Germany and no other country
• 32. A/32. B/32.C – Please also provide the name of the organization/company, address, contact number and email address of the inviting person / organization company in Germany.
• Date of Birth – please use the German standard (Day, month, year)

For Seafarers:

1. Purpose: always tick number 12 (Transit)
2. Postal code – please omit “D” in the postal code, only digits must remain
3. City (under reference) – please omit “Deutschland”, only the name of the city

Overview

Applicants who intend to travel for Employment Purposes.

Visa Fees

With effect from 20 November 2021, the visa fees are as follow: Visa Fee may vary depending on the current exchange rate.

Note:

A service charge of Php 1950 is levied per applicant by VFS on the top of the Visa Fee. All fees is collected online during the appointment.

An official receipt should be obtained for all payments made. Applicants may opt for a courier-assisted facility whereby your passport and other documents will be returned via courier. This facility is available at an extra cost.

Please note that the visa fees are indicated above. No other amount will be requested for the visa issuance or for urgent processing

Terms and Conditions:

Kindly be informed that logistic fee and other additional service fees are not refundable once the payment has been made.

Documents Required

All of the required documentation listed below is mandatory for all applicants, PSA Birth Certificate, NBI clearance, insurance and other documents may be arranged by applicant’s employer, travel companies or any other companies or individuals. It is recommended by the German Embassy to have your employer apply for a pre-approval from the competent German employment authority (”Bundesagentur für Arbeit“) and to submit your visa application together with the pre-approval letter.

We therefore strongly advise that applicants provide the documents as listed below, and should not provide documents based on any other source. If documents provided are not as per the below requirements, this may lead to delays at the application Centre, and in some cases applicants may be required to take new appointments to resubmit their application.

Incomplete applications will be decided by the German Embassy on the basis of the documents that were submitted, and may be rejected. The processing time of your visa application will be shorter if your documents are complete upon submission of the application.

Please Note:

Applicants needs to provide the following requirements:

• 2 Copies of VIDEX Form https://videx-national.diplo.de/videx/visum-erfassung/#/videx-langfristiger-aufenthalt
• 2 Copies of the Supporting Documents
• 2 Copies of Cover Sheet
• 4 Passport size photo
• Original Copies of the Supporting Documents
• Birth Certificate- Original and two photocopies
• Click here to download Coversheet. Please arrange the documents according to Coversheet
• Click here to download document checklist for Nurses_Fully Recognition and recognized Equivalency
• Click here to download document checklist for Nurses_Partial recognition

Please see the below linked for the updated list of Documents for Nurses:

https://manila.diplo.de/ph-en/service/visa/-/2439020?openAccordionId=item-2439022-6-panel

Photo Specifications

Click here to view a sample biometric photo

• The photograph must be in colour.
• It should have a white background.
• It should have a close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.
• It should be in sharp focus and clean.
• It should be of high quality with no ink marks and creases.
• The photograph must show you looking directly at the camera.
• It should be 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm.
• It should show your skin tone naturally.
• It should have appropriate brightness and contrast.
• The photograph should be a recent one not more than 6 months old.
• It is to be taken without headgear.
• It should be without the applicant's hair tucked behind his/her ears.
• The photograph should not have any staple marks.
• Scanned & colour photocopies would NOT be accepted.

Information for visa applicants

Only one photograph should be attached to the application, the other should be kept in the passport. Neither should have any staple pin marks disfiguring the face or background.

Processing Time

The stipulated case processing time would take an average of four weeks without pre-approval or one to two weeks with pre approval.

Please note that due to the above-mentioned average processing time, we cannot guarantee the return of passports by specific date of travel.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application form and supporting documentation to be submitted are as per the legal requirements of the Embassy (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Furthermore applicant needs to consider that VFS/Embassy closures and declared holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

1. to book their appointment as soon as they know they will be travelling
2. to ensure that their visa application and documentation meet the Embassy requirements
3. to leave enough processing time for the Mission

The Embassy also reserves the right to request for additional information/documents or invite applicants for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process.

Download Forms

Application Form

Applicant needs to provide a signed printout of the Schengen visa application form (VAF) and complete the online visa application form as follows:

1. Click online Visa Application form
2. Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
3. Print completed online visa application form with barcode
4. Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
5. Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
6. Please note that VIDEX form must be printed from PDF File and choosing the print setting under actual size. For further help refer to Print Dialog Settings file.

Important reminders when completing your VIDEX online application form:

• Surname at Birth should be your Middle Name. For example, applicant’s full name is Juan Cruz Santos, kindly enter Cruz as your Surname at Birth
• Passport details: Issuing government should be the country where it was issuedi.e. Philippines whereas Issued by should only indicate the information about the issuing authority i.e. DFA and Issued in should be the city where it was issued i.e. NCR, Tuguegarao.
• Please also provide your email address and telephone number on the part of the VIDEX form asking for applicant’s address
• Address of the inviting person / organization company in Germany.
• Date of Birth – please use the German standard (Day, month, year)

Overview

Seafarers, who are to join their ship in a German harbour (e.g. Hamburg, Bremerhaven), require a Schengen-Visa for the entry into the Schengen-Area (e.g. through airport in Frankfurt). The visa is generally issued as a transit visa.

This visa type is issued for the sole purpose of boarding a ship docked on German waters, with no intention of staying on German soil longer than the validity of the visa granted.

Visa Fees

With effect from 20 November 2021, the visa fees are as follow: Visa Fee may vary depending on the current exchange rate.

Note:

A service charge of Php 1150 and Php 1210 in VFS Manila and VFS Cebu, respectively is levied per applicant on top of the Visa Fee. All fees is collected online during the appointment.

An official receipt should be obtained for all payments made. Applicants may opt for a courier-assisted facility whereby your passport and other documents will be returned via courier. This facility is available at an extra cost.

Please note that the visa fees are indicated above. No other amount will be requested for the visa issuance or for urgent processing

Terms and Conditions:

Kindly be informed that logistic fee and other additional service fees are not refundable once the payment has been made.

Documents Required

All of the required documentation listed below is mandatory for all applicants, including such cases where flights, accommodation, insurance and other items may be arranged by applicant’s employer, travel companies or any other companies or individuals.

We therefore strongly advise that applicants provide the documents as listed below, and should not provide documents based on any other source. If documents provided are not as per the requirements below, this may lead to delays at the application centre, and in some cases applicants may be required to take new appointments to resubmit their application.

Seamen Transit Visa Checklist

Click here to download document checklist for Seamen Transit Visa

Photo Specifications

Click here to view a sample biometric photo

• The photograph must be in colour.
• It should have a white background.
• It should have a close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.
• It should be in sharp focus and clean.
• It should be of high quality with no ink marks and creases.
• The photograph must show you looking directly at the camera.
• It should be 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm.
• It should show your skin tone naturally.
• It should have appropriate brightness and contrast.
• The photograph should be a recent one not more than 6 months old.
• It is to be taken without headgear.
• It should be without the applicant's hair tucked behind his/her ears.
• The photograph should not have any staple marks.
• Scanned & colour photocopies would NOT be accepted.

Information for visa applicants

Only one photograph should be attached to the application, the other should be kept in the passport. Neither should have any staple pin marks disfiguring the face or background.

Processing Time

Estimated processing time is 2 to 3 weeks, so applicants are advised to leave enough time - between the appointment date and travel date - for the Mission to process their visa application; no guarantees can be given on the visa application’s return date as delays may occur.

Please be advised that due to the above-mentioned minimum processing time, we are not able to guarantee the return of passports by specific dates for travel.

Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences

Every applicant can submit his/her Schengen visa application up to 6 months before the intended travel date to the Schengen Area.

In order to avoid any delays in the visa application process, it is paramount that the visa application is complete and its documents submitted are as per the Mission’s requirements (see Documents Required for the different visa categories).

Furthermore applicants need to consider that VFS/Mission’s closures and holidays (see Public Holidays/Closures) may extend the visa application processing time.

Therefore, VFS recommends all applicants:

1. to book their appointment as soon as they know they’ll be travelling
2. to ensure that their visa application’s documentation meets the Mission’s requirements
3. to leave enough processing time for the Mission

The Mission may always request for additional information/documents or invite applicants for an interview during the visa application process and this may cause delays in the visa process, which applicants accept responsibility for.

Download Forms

Application Form

For Germany every applicant needs to provide a signed printout from a Schengen visa application form (VAF).

Therefore, each applicant first needs to duly complete the online visa application form as follows:

1. Click online Visa Application form
2. Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
3. Print completed online visa application form with barcode
4. Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
5. Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
6. Please note that VIDEX form must be printed from PDF File and choosing the print setting under actual size. For further help refer to Print Dialog Settings file.

Important reminders when completing your VIDEX online application form:

• Surname at Birth should be your Middle Name. For example, applicant’s full name is Juan Cruz Santos, kindly enter Cruz as your Surname at Birth
• Passport details: Issuing government should be the country where it was issuedi.e. Philippines whereas Issued by should only indicate the information about the issuing authority i.e. DFA and Issued in should be the city where it was issued i.e. NCR, Tuguegarao.
• Please also provide your email address and telephone number on the part of the VIDEX form asking for applicant’s address
• Reference person and address – please ensure that the address on field No 31.A/31. B/31.C must be name of inviting person or Hotel, email address, contact number and address must be in Germany and no other country
• 32. A/32. B/32.C – Please also provide the name of the organization/company, address, contact number and email address of the inviting person / organization company in Germany.
• Date of Birth – please use the German standard (Day, month, year)

For Seafarers:

1. Purpose: always tick number 12 (Transit)
2. Postal code – please omit “D” in the postal code, only digits must remain
3. City (under reference) – please omit “Deutschland”, only the name of the city
4. Duration of the intended stay should only be 10 days according to the German Embassy’s instruction