Visa information
Visa Types
Schengen visa
Citizens of some non-EU countries are required to hold a valid Schengen visa when travelling to the Schengen area, which is a group of European countries that allows a person, who’s been admitted to the Schengen Area, to travel without any further form of border control within the Schengen Area.
Current Schengen States are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
A Schengen visa is a short stay visa, i.e. for stays up to 90 days, allowing its holder to circulate in the Schengen Area.
The Embassy competent for examining and deciding on an application for a uniform visa shall be in the following order:
a) The Schengen Member State of destination of the visit(s));
b) The Schengen Member State whose territory constitutes the main destination of the visit(s) in terms of the length or purpose of stay; or
c) if no main destination can be determined, the Member State of the first entry
The documentation related to the means of travel and accommodation must cover the complete itinerary of the single trip to the Schengen Area; i.e. printouts of intended flight bookings or other proof of intended ways of travel, not only for the travel from and to the Schengen Area, but also for the travel between the different Schengen States, when more than 1 Schengen State will be visited during the single trip.
Each Schengen visa application must fully comply with the documents required for the respective visa category and can only be submitted up to 6 months before the intended departure date.
The acceptance of a Schengen visa application and supporting documents by VFS does not guarantee the issuance of a Schengen visa.
The issuance of a Schengen visa, the Schengen visa validity period, the number of entries and amount of travel days are at the sole discretion of the Mission.
If a visa application is returned by the Mission requesting missing documents or any other missing/ incorrect information, the applicant must accept responsibility for any delay that may occur in the visa application processing time.
Holders of valid Schengen visas are still subject to immigration control upon arrival in the Schengen Area and are not necessarily guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries, even though they may hold a valid Schengen visa for these countries.
Following visa categories are considered Short stay visas:
National visa
For German long stay visa (except Student visa) you are required to submit your application directly at the German Embassy in Singapore with prior appointment arranged through the Embassy’s own online appointment system
To find out more about the Student visa, click here
Schengen Visa
Citizens of some non-EU countries are required to hold a valid Schengen visa when travelling to the Schengen area, which is a group of European countries that allows a person, who’s been admitted to the Schengen Area, to travel without any further form of border control within the Schengen Area.
Current Schengen States are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
A Schengen visa is a short stay visa, i.e. for stays up to 90 days, allowing its holder to circulate in the Schengen Area.
The Embassy competent for examining and deciding on an application for a uniform visa shall be in the following order:
- The Schengen Member State of destination of the visit(s));
- The Schengen Member State whose territory constitutes the main destination of the visit(s) in terms of the length or purpose of stay; or
- if no main destination can be determined, the Member State of the first entry
The documentation related to the means of travel and accommodation must cover the complete itinerary of the single trip to the Schengen Area; i.e. printouts of intended flight bookings or other proof of intended ways of travel, not only for the travel from and to the Schengen Area, but also for the travel between the different Schengen States, when more than 1 Schengen State will be visited during the single trip.
Each Schengen visa application must fully comply with the documents required for the respective visa category and can only be submitted up to 6 months before the intended departure date.
The acceptance of a Schengen visa application and supporting documents by VFS does not guarantee the issuance of a Schengen visa.
The issuance of a Schengen visa, the Schengen visa validity period, the number of entries and amount of travel days are at the sole discretion of the Mission.
If a visa application is returned by the Mission requesting missing documents or any other missing/ incorrect information, the applicant must accept responsibility for any delay that may occur in the visa application processing time.
Holders of valid Schengen visas are still subject to immigration control upon arrival in the Schengen Area and are not necessarily guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries, even though they may hold a valid Schengen visa for these countries.
Following visa categories are considered Short stay visas:
- Tourist
- Visitor Family/Friends
- Business
- Transit
- Domestic Worker
- National visa
For German long stay visa (except Student visa) you are required to submit your application directly at the German Embassy in Singapore with prior appointment arranged through the Embassy’s own online appointment system
To find out more about the Student visa, click here
Tourist
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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.
Every applicant, including children/infants, has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online by the applicant.
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Visa Fees
Visa Category Visa fee (in EUR) VFS Service fee (in EUR) Tourist, Visitor, Business, Domestic Helper 90.00 34.76 Nationals of countries with a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union: Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine 35.00 34.76 Children between 6 and 12 years old 45.00 34.76 Children less than 6 years old 00.00 34.76 VFS service fee (inclusive of GST) is charged per visa application in addition to the applicable visa fee.
All fees can be paid by cash, Credit or Debit cards at the Visa Application Centre.
Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.
All fees are non-refundable.
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Documents Required
Kindly refer to the list of requisite documents below before submitting your application; this will minimize chances of rejection of your Visa Application due to incorrect or inadequate documents.
Instructions for applicants below 18 years:
- For all children below 18 years, both parents need to be present at the Visa Application Centre to sign the VIDEX form. Children below 12 years do not need to be present.
- All applicants below 18 years, travelling alone or with one parent must submit a signed letter of consent or authorization form and passport copy of the parent not travelling
Checklist for Tourist click here
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Photo Specifications
Please provide 2 recent colour photographs, meeting the following requirements:
- Taken against a light (white or light grey) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
- Clear quality and the face should cover at least 80% of the picture
- Size 3,5 x 4,5 cm
If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements, then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.
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Processing Time
The average processing time for most visa applications is 5 working days, but applicants are advised to leave at least 15 days between the appointment date and the travel date as some applicants/nationalities take longer for the Embassy to process.
Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences.
All visa decisions are solely at the discretion of the Embassy of Germany in Singapore.
-
Application Form
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:
- Click online Visa Application form
- Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
- Print completed online visa application form with barcode
- Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
- Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
- 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 issued i.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)
Business
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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.
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.
Every applicant has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online by the applicant.
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Visa Fees
Visa Category Visa fee (in EUR) VFS Service fee (in EUR) Tourist, Visitor, Business, Domestic Helper 90.00 34.76 Nationals of countries with a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union: Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine 35.00 34.76 Children between 6 and 12 years old 45.00 34.76 Children less than 6 years old 00.00 34.76 VFS service fee (inclusive of GST) is charged per visa application in addition to the applicable visa fee.
All fees can be paid by cash, Credit or Debit cards at the Visa Application Centre.
Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.
All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Kindly refer to the list of requisite documents below before submitting your application; this will minimize chances of rejection of your Visa Application due to incorrect or inadequate documents.
Checklist for Business click here
-
Photo Specifications
Please provide 2 recent colour photographs, meeting the following requirements:
- Taken against a light (white or light grey) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
- Clear quality and the face should cover at least 80% of the picture
- Size 3,5 x 4,5 cm
If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements, then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The average processing time for most visa applications is 5 working days, but applicants are advised to leave at least 15 days between the appointment date and the travel date as some applicants/nationalities take longer for the Embassy to process.
Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences.
All visa decisions are solely at the discretion of the Embassy of Germany in Singapore.
-
Application Form
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:
- Click online Visa Application form
- Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
- Print completed online visa application form with barcode
- Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
- Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
- 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 issued i.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)
Authorization letter for a representative to submit the visa application on behalf of the applicant
Visit Family and Friends
-
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 for those who intend to visit their family or friends who 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.
Every applicant, including children/infants, has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online by the applicant.
-
Visa Fees
Visa Category Visa fee (in EUR) VFS Service fee (in EUR) Tourist, Visitor, Business, Domestic Helper 90.00 34.76 Nationals of countries with a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union: Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine 35.00 34.76 Children between 6 and 12 years old 45.00 34.76 Children less than 6 years old 00.00 34.76 VFS service fee (inclusive of GST) is charged per visa application in addition to the applicable visa fee.
All fees can be paid by cash, Credit or Debit cards at the Visa Application Centre.
Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.
All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Kindly refer to the list of requisite documents below before submitting your application; this will minimize chances of rejection of your Visa Application due to incorrect or inadequate documents.
Instructions for applicants below 18 years:
- For all children below 18 years, both parents need to be present at the Visa Application Centre to sign the VIDEX form. Children below 12 years do not need to be present.
- All applicants below 18 years, travelling alone or with one parent must submit a signed letter of consent or authorization form and passport copy of the parent not travelling
Checklist for Visit Family click here
-
Photo Specifications
Please provide 2 recent colour photographs, meeting the following requirements:
- Taken against a light (white or light grey) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
- Clear quality and the face should cover at least 80% of the picture
- Size 3,5 x 4,5 cm
If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements, then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The average processing time for most visa applications is 5 working days, but applicants are advised to leave at least 15 days between the appointment date and the travel date as some applicants/nationalities take longer for the Embassy to process.
Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences.
All visa decisions are solely at the discretion of the Embassy of Germany in Singapore.
-
Application Form
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:
- Click online Visa Application form
- Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
- Print completed online visa application form with barcode
- Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
- Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
- 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 issued i.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)
Authorization letter for a representative to submit the visa application on behalf of the applicant
Domestic Helper
-
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.
Applicant will have to provide evidence that he/she falls under this category, kindly refer to the information sheet of documents required.
Every applicant has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online by the applicant.
-
Visa Fees
Visa Category Visa fee (in EUR) VFS Service fee (in EUR) Tourist, Visitor, Business, Domestic Helper 90.00 34.76 Nationals of countries with a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union: Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine 35.00 34.76 Children between 6 and 12 years old 45.00 34.76 Children less than 6 years old 00.00 34.76 VFS service fee (inclusive of GST) is charged per visa application in addition to the applicable visa fee.
All fees can be paid by cash, Credit or Debit cards at the Visa Application Centre.
Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.
All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Kindly refer to the list of requisite documents below before submitting your application; this will minimize chances of rejection of your Visa Application due to incorrect or inadequate documents.
Checklist for Visa for Domestic Helpers click here
-
Photo Specifications
Please provide 2 recent colour photographs, meeting the following requirements:
- Taken against a light (white or light grey) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
- Clear quality and the face should cover at least 80% of the picture
- Size 3,5 x 4,5 cm
If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements, then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The average processing time for most visa applications is 5 working days, but applicants are advised to leave at least 15 days between the appointment date and the travel date as some applicants/nationalities take longer for the Embassy to process.
Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences.
All visa decisions are solely at the discretion of the Embassy of Germany in Singapore.
-
Application Form
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:
- Click online Visa Application form
- Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
- Print completed online visa application form with barcode
- Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
- Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
- 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 issued i.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)
Authorization letter for a representative to submit the visa application on behalf of the applicant
Airport Transit
-
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.
Every applicant, including children/infants, has to submit his/her Schengen visa application in person and by appointment only on their appointment date, which needs to be booked online by the applicant.
-
Visa Fees
Visa Category Visa fee (in EUR) VFS Service fee (in EUR) Tourist, Visitor, Business, Domestic Helper 90.00 34.76 Nationals of countries with a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union: Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine 35.00 34.76 Children between 6 and 12 years old 45.00 34.76 Children less than 6 years old 00.00 34.76 VFS service fee (inclusive of GST) is charged per visa application in addition to the applicable visa fee.
All fees can be paid by cash, Credit or Debit cards at the Visa Application Centre.
Cheque payments and direct bank transfers are not accepted.
All fees are non-refundable.
-
Documents Required
Kindly refer to the list of requisite documents below before submitting your application; this will minimize chances of rejection of your Visa Application due to incorrect or inadequate documents.
Checklist for Airport Transit click here
-
Photo Specifications
Please provide 2 recent colour photographs, meeting the following requirements:
- Taken against a light (white or light grey) background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
- Clear quality and the face should cover at least 80% of the picture
- Size 3,5 x 4,5 cm
If the photographs presented do not meet these requirements, then the visa application will be considered incomplete and applicant will be asked to take new photographs in the photo booth in the visa application centre.
-
Processing Time
The average processing time for most visa applications is 5 working days, but applicants are advised to leave at least 15 days between the appointment date and the travel date as some applicants/nationalities take longer for the Embassy to process.
Please be sure to submit your visa application well in advance, to avoid any inconveniences.
All visa decisions are solely at the discretion of the Embassy of Germany in Singapore.
-
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:
- Click online Visa Application form
- Complete all mandatory fields (marked with * and as per the passport’s details)
- Print completed online visa application form with barcode
- Click here to download guide on how to use VIDEX online tool
- Once the completed Schengen visa application form has been printed, then applicant needs to finish the remaining steps:
- 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 issued i.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)
Authorization letter for a representative to submit the visa application on behalf of the applicant