How to get a visa to Germany? Before traveling to a new country itā€™s important to check and see what the visa requirements for your country are and if you need to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Ā Germany is a member of the European Union (EU) and a signatory of the Schengen agreement. While other member state are not required to obtain a visa other countries that are not part of the European Union or signatories of the Schengen Agreement are required to obtain a visa.

Which countries citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany?

Countries within the European Union and those that are signatories of Schengen agreement do not require a visa to enter Germany. There are 26 countries that are signatories of the Schengen agreement which including: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Ā 

Which countries are eligible for the ā€œfree visa programā€ where their citizens donā€™t need a visa to Germany?

There are a number of countries Ā that benefit from the ā€œfree visa programā€. People from these countries may enter the Schengen area without a visa for up to three months. The countries that may take advantage of this program Ā are : Ukraine , Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina , Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, , El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, the Holy See, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Serbia , Seychelles and Taiwan (with a passport marked Identity), East Timor, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

What about the countries that are not Ā in the Schengen area or within the free visa program? Do they need a visa to enter Germany? And if yes what types of visas are there?

There are two other ways for someone to legally enter Germany. The first one is to get a Schengen visa which allows you to enter Germany or any of the countries in the Schengen area for up to three months. This visa is granted for the purpose of trade, family visit, tourism or when you are registered in a German course. The second way is by obtaining something called a ā€œNational Visaā€. This is given to those who are already residing in Germany. After obtaining a National Visa you can apply for a resident permit which allows an individual to work or study in Germany.

What documents are required for a German Tourist Visa?

If you are looking to obtain a visa to enter Germany, these are the documents that you need to apply for the visa:

  1. Download the Schengen form online and then fill it out and sign it.
  2. A personal photo which must be compatible with visa standards.
  3. A valid passport for at least 3 months after returning from Germany, the Passport must contain at least two blank pages.
  4. Copies of previous visas, if any.
  5. School or university acceptance letter, invitation or work contract dispending on the purpose of your trip.
  6. A bank statement showing that a person can spend 45 euros a day when he is in Germany.

The cost of the visa is 60 Euros and once you get the visa you have to give the German embassy a copy of your health insurance (30,000 euros) which covers the length of the trip until the return to the homeland as well as a flight ticket to Germany (round trip).

Once you have got your visa to Germany, you can travel freely not only to Germany but also to many other European countries within the Schengen area that are also worth a visit! Welcome to Germany!