How to get a visa to Germany
In this text — answers to all your questions.
So, can Russians get a visa to Germany now?
Yes, but the application process has become more complicated. On September 12, 2022, the Council of the European Union completely suspended the simplified visa regime with Russia. This means that the application processing time has increased, the cost of the visa fee has risen (we'll talk about specific figures below), control over requirements has intensified, and the issuance of multiple-entry visas with long validity periods has ceased.
It sounds grim, but it's not as bad as it seems. Visas are being approved, which means you need to understand which one is right for you.
What types of visas are there
• Category C visa or Schengen visa. Grants the right to stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days within a six-month period. Suitable for tourist and business trips, short-term studies and language courses, medical treatment, participation in cultural events, and more.
If you already have a valid Schengen visa from another country, you can freely visit Germany.
Let's clarify right away that you need to obtain a Schengen visa from the main country of your trip. If you plan to visit several countries in one visit, choose the visa of the country where you will spend the most time.
• Category D visa or national visa. With it, you can stay in Germany for three months to half a year, and at the end of this period, you will have the opportunity to extend the visa within the country or apply for a residence permit — this will depend on your situation.
Visa D is suitable for those who plan to enroll in a German university, intend to work or conduct business; it can also be obtained by marrying a German citizen; on the basis of family reunification or participation in the late repatriate program.
• Category A and B visas — transit visas. Not required for Russians if you do not leave the transit zone at a German airport and boarding for the next flight occurs without passing border control.
To summarize: the type of visa depends on the purpose of your trip. If you need a tourist visa to Germany or a visa for a short-term trip, apply for a C visa. If you plan to stay in the country for a long period, then apply for a D visa.
How long are visas valid
Visa validity periods are regulated by law. A C visa is issued for six months, granting the right to live in Schengen countries for 90 days. A D visa is issued for one year and allows staying in Germany for no more than 180 days.
Previously, some people were issued visas for individual periods: those who traveled frequently could be approved for a multi-year Schengen multiple-entry visa. And sometimes, the visa was only valid for the dates of the trip. After the cancellation of the simplified procedure, multiple-entry visas for Russians became a pleasant memory from the past.
Once you have decided on the type of visa, it's time to gather your documents.
What documents are needed
They are divided into main and additional documents, which vary depending on the purpose of the trip.
So, Schengen C visa, main documents:
• Printed and signed visa application form. It can be filled out online on the German Foreign Office website (a Russian-language version of the form is available there).
• Consent to the processing of personal data.
• Foreign passport (original and copy of pages with personal data). It must have at least two blank pages for the visa and be valid for at least 90 days after the intended date of departure from Germany.
• Two biometric color photos measuring 35 x 45 mm (the Schengen format is known in any photo studio).
• Medical insurance. This point was affected by the changes of September 12. Now, insurance must be issued in the European Union; that is, insurance policies issued in Russia are not accepted. Other conditions remain as before: minimum coverage amount — from 30,000 €, insurance must be valid throughout the Schengen area.
• Internal passport (original). Plus copies of all pages with personal data and marks, as well as copies of pages 14 – 19.
• Travel confirmation documents: paid round-trip tickets and paid accommodation for the entire period of stay in the Schengen Area (before the tightening of rules, unpaid bookings could be provided).
• Document of financial guarantee: a statement confirming the availability of funds for the duration of the trip, from a bank operating in EU member states. This means it doesn't necessarily have to be a European bank; it could be a bank from Turkey, Georgia, or other third countries. The main thing is that the bank allows withdrawing money in Europe.
• Proof of employment, study, or regular sources of income: original certificate from work and certified copy of employment record book; certificate of individual entrepreneur registration (original and copy), form 2-NDFL or 3-NDFL and extract from the commercial / tax register; original certificate from place of study.
Additional documents may include:
• Guest invitation from a person (original) with information about the place of residence, with a notarized copy of the inviting person's passport.
• Invitation letter from an organization (original or copy), indicating the travel dates, its purposes, and the party covering the trip expenses.
• Possible proof of return to Russia: ownership of real estate or vehicles, presence of close relatives (spouse, children, and parents) residing in the Russian Federation (marriage or birth certificate).
Documents for national visa D
Since a D visa is issued for a long period, many more documents will be required for its obtainment, unlike a Schengen visa. And because the purposes for obtaining it can vary, the package of papers can differ significantly. The only constant points remain:
• completed application forms;
• photographs (the number varies depending on the purpose of application);
• original and copy of foreign passport.
All other documents vary: you may need your work biography, language proficiency certificates, a motivation letter, an employment contract, and much more. For each specific case, the list of documents must be inquired about separately.
We've covered documents for adults, but let's not forget about children.
What documents are needed for minors
Required documents:
• original and copy of birth certificate;
• completed visa application form (signed by parent / guardian).
If the child travels accompanied by both parents, you must provide:
• hotel reservation (or other accommodation) for the trip with the child;
• round-trip tickets for parents and child.
If the child travels with one parent, in addition to the above, you must provide:
• hotel reservation (or other accommodation) for the trip with the child;
• notarized consent for the child to travel to Schengen countries from the second parent (original and copy) and a copy of their passport.
If the child travels alone, you must provide:
• notarized consent for the child to travel to Schengen countries from the parents;
• copies of parents' passports.
Once all documents are collected, it's time to submit them. But where?
P.S. We recommend addressing this issue at the initial stage of trip preparation.
Where to apply for a visa to Germany
Schengen
Today, applying for a Schengen visa to Germany independently is quite easy: for your convenience, there are visa centers that act as intermediaries between citizens and consulates. VisaMetric — the only visa center accredited by German representations in Russia. Its offices are located in Moscow at the German Embassy and at the Consulates General in St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, and Kaliningrad. There are also other centers that help with visa applications.
Let's clarify that you should apply no earlier than six months before the start of your trip.
The procedure is quite simple:
1. On the center's website, study the instructions and rules.
2. Gather the package of documents.
3. Book an appointment for submission, choosing the date and time.
4. Come to the appointment with your documents.
5. Undergo the fingerprinting procedure.
(If you have submitted fingerprints before and cannot attend the procedure in person, another person can apply on your behalf with a notarized power of attorney).
6. Pay the consular fee, attach the receipt to the package of documents, and hand it to the center's employee.
7. Come to the center to pick up your passport with the visa or order courier delivery.
National
Previously, only departments of the German Consulates General handled applications for national D visas. Today, it has become possible to apply for some subcategories of D visas (student, work, and family reunification visas) through the VisaMetric center.
However, it is important to remember that you can only submit an application at the consulate or visa center that corresponds to your actual place of residence. Therefore, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the consular districts and German representations within them. Personal presence is required if the applicant is 12 years or older.
Information on consular districts, documents for D visas, and appointment booking can be found on the websites of German representations in Russia and VisaMetric.
Above, we mentioned that a consular fee must be paid upon application.
So, how much does a visa to Germany cost
Due to the decision of the Council of the European Union, the prices for submitting documents have also increased.
• C visa — 80 € (previously 35 €). For children aged 6 to 12 — 40 €.
• D visa — 75 € (previously 70 €). For children under 18 — 38 €.
By the way, if your visa application is suddenly rejected, the consular fee is non-refundable.
What are the processing times
Changes after September 12 also affected this point. If previously a Schengen visa to Germany was processed in 10 days, now your application is reviewed in 15.
The processing times for a national D visa are individual and depend on your case, but on average — from one month. If you are going for an internship as a researcher or want to obtain an EU Blue Card (work permit), the process takes 5 to 10 working days.
What to do if your visa is denied
With the cancellation of the simplified visa regime, cases of refusal may become more frequent. But don't worry: visas to Germany for Russians are still being approved. If all documents are collected correctly and the reasons for the trip to Germany are confirmed, then the Germans, who are particular about order, will approve the visa.
However, just in case, here's a plan of action.
Usually, the German representation in Moscow informs about the reason for refusal. Once you know it, you can choose one of the following options:
1. Re-submission of documents.
2. Filing an appeal.
An appeal for a Schengen visa can be filed within one month, and for a national visa within one year. The appeal letter should be sent to the German Embassy.
Most often, visas are not approved due to problems with documents or their insufficiency.
Here are the most common mistakes:
1. Expiring foreign passport validity.
2. Changing dates or canceling tickets / hotels while documents are being processed at the consulate.
3. No proof of employment or study activities.
4. Visa validity period does not match vacation or business trip dates.
5. Insurance does not meet requirements (must be issued in the EU).
6. The maximum allowed stay in the Schengen area for the current six-month period has been exhausted.
Once you have received your visa and are ready to go, you suddenly remember that there was once COVID, and vaccinations were required for entry into Europe.
What about COVID rules now
As of June 11, 2022, Germany has temporarily lifted all COVID restrictions. Now, vaccination certificates, recovery certificates, and negative PCR test results are not required for entry into the country.
In short, you can safely plan your trip to Germany, and we wish you an easy visa application process and a pleasant journey!
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