Apply for a visa

The first step is to determine which visa type you need, and check whether you’re eligible to apply for it.

You’ll also need to know the documents that you’ll have to submit along with your application, how long the application might take and fees you’ll have to pay.

Each application must comply with the guidelines applicable for your visa category.

If your documents are not in English, you may need to get translations prepared before applying.

Once you are ready to apply, go to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany website to apply for your visa online.

You can also download the visa application form, complete it, print the completed form, and bring it with you to the Visa Application Centre for submission. 

Once you have applied for your visa, you need to book an appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken at a Visa Application Centre. This is known as ‘biometric information’.

Once you’ve booked your appointment, you’ll receive an appointment confirmation email along with the letter of appointment.

If you are part of a family or group, you’ll have to book individual appointments for each member of the family or group. 

Once you have made your application, you will need to pay your visa application fee. If you are applying online for your visa, your payment will be made as part of this process. If you download the form to print and bring to the Visa Application Centre, payment can be made at the time of your appointment.

You’ll have to submit your complete visa application form at the Visa Application Centre in person.

Find out What happens at the Visa Application Centre.

You will receive an email update when your decision has been returned to the Visa Application Centre. If you can’t access email easily, or would like more detailed tracking information, you may also be able to get updates by SMS sent directly to your phone. Check whether this service is available at the Visa Application Centre you are visiting.

You can also track your visa application status online.  Use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your last name to access this service.

After a visa application decision has been made, you can pick up your documents from the Visa Application Centre or have your documents returned to you by courier for an additional fee. For some Visa Application Centres your documents will only be returned via courier.

Collecting your documents in person: bring the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre and a form of Government identification. If permitted you may be able to send a representative to collect your documents; they will need to present a letter of authorisation signed by you, bring the receipt issued to you by the Visa Application Centre and their Government identification. 

Please check with the Visa Application Centre at time of your appointment for the options available to collect your documents.