Schengen Guide: How to Obtain a German Visa

Our Readers Comments

1. Hi there,

   Thanks for reaching out.

   You will need to contact the Embassy direct where is passport is to arrange for it to be sent back.

2. My colleague was denied visa to Germany, and his passport has been there since 2019, we need to send DHL to pick it up to Lesotho.

   Please advice

3. Hi Patrick,

   Thanks for getting in touch. If you are transiting through the Schengen States 2 times or more on your travels you will need to apply for a visa.

   However we do recommend you contact the Embassy to get the most up to date information.

4. My question is. I need to go to the Caribbean from South Africa. I can get flights but with two different airlines which I would have to change over at Frankfurt, Germany.

   Would I need to get a Shangen Visa or can I go without a visa and change over at Frankfurt should my stop over is less than 8 hours?

   Many thanks

5. Hi Ravin,

   Thanks for getting in touch. Please contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency direct. They will advise what visa is required, what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.

6. Good day,

   Please advise the type of visa required for Germany (Dusseldorf) to attend the K Trade fair 16-20 October 2019. I’m a South African citizen, this would be a business trip all costs covered by the company including hotel, airfares and meals. I believe that a rush visa is also a possibility?
   Kindly advise re: above

7. Hi Matthew,

   Thanks for reaching out.

   You will need to see if you have a multiple or single entry visa. I would suggest contacting the Embassy direct they will see what visa they have granted you and will be able to assist in answering any visa related questions you might have.

8. Hi there.
   I am a SA Citizen travelling to Germany in July. Will my German Visa allow me to travel to Amsterdam by train for example? Looking to do a 1 day trip and want to know the paperwork implications or if it’s as simple as booking a train ticket and going.
   Many thanks..

9. Hi Elnett,

   Thanks for reaching out.

   You welcome to read through our Blog: Schengen Guide: How to Obtain a German Visa

   Here we provide the following information: Types of Visas, German Visa Price, Requirements for German visa for South Africans, Application Process, Where to Apply for a German Visa, Where to Print Documents and Photos

   We have also provided a links for the following:
   1. To ensure you have all the necessary documents, see the Schengen tourist visa checklist.
   2. The German visa application form must be filled out online.
   3. Track your application online.

   Here we provide all the relevant information. For any further info, please contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency. They will be able to assist in answering any other questions you might have.

10. Hi, I am a South African Citizen and planning on visiting my mother in Germany soon, she told me that she would sign a Sponsor form, I will be staying with her. What is the process regarding my visa?

11. Hi Emily,

    Thanks for reaching out.

    For this you would need to contact the Germany Embassy in Seoul. As they are the ones granting the visa’s they will advise what documents they require from you, the correct procedures to follow and the cost involved.

12. Hello 🙂
    I am a South African passport holder looking to visit Germany at the end of the year (2019). I need assistance with how to apply for the visa while I am currently living in South Korea. Is there a place that I can get it done here?
    Thank you!

13. HI there,

    Thanks for contacting us.

    To answer your first question yes it is possible to enter Germany on a Schengen visa issued by the Dutch Embassy as both are Schengen Countries.

    With regards to your 2nd questions: Even though the visa is valid for 1 year you will need to see on the visa how many days one is allowed to stay. So if it shows 30 days within that year and you have already stayed those amount of days I don’t think you would be able to use that visa again.

    However as we do not grant visa’s I would suggest contacting the Embassy or official visa handling agency to get the most up to date information and they will be able to advise accordingly.

14. Hi, My name is Kevina,

    I have a Dutch Schengen visa valid for 1 year, would I be able to enter Germany and exit Germany using this visa? Without going via Holland?

    I have been to Holland in June, and plan to go to Germany in December

    visa is valid, multiple entry from June 2018 to June 2019

15. Hi Thato,

    Thanks for getting in touch. What a lovely birthday surprise for your sister. Sure she will so excited and very happy.

    Below is the check list for a Tourism Visa. These details could change at anytime and we do recommend you contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency to get the most up to date information.

    German Embassy (Pretoria)
    Tel Number : (012) 427 8900

    One completed visa application
    • Please complete the online application form (https://videx.diplo.de) and then print
    the autodownloaded PDF version of the application form. It needs to be fully and
    correctly completed before it will download as PDF, where-after it must then be
    signed and dated by applicant. Bring it with you. If you don’t complete and bring your
    application form, we won’t be able to assist you and a new appointment will have to
    be scheduled.
    • If the applicant is under the age of 18, the application form has to be signed by both
    parents / legal guardians
    • Parent/s or Legal guardian/s including minor should be present at the appointment.
    • In absence of a parent/s during the appointment: POA and written signed statement
    explaining why they were not able to be present at the time of appointment.
    □ □
    2 Passport
    • Validity minimum 90 days from the date of expiry of the requested Visa
    • Passport must be signed and must contain at least 2 empty visa pages for entry and
    departure stamp
    • Non- South African citizens must hold a valid residency / work permit which allows
    re-entry to South Africa upon the end of the journey
    • Previous passports (non SA citizens)
    • Applicant exiting Germany and returning to South Africa via another country should
    present the relevant visa for the country
    □ □
    3 Photocopies
    • 2 passport copies of pages containing personal data
    • Copies of all previous Schengen Visa(s)
    □ □
    4 One recent biometric passport sized photograph
    • Should not be older than 6 months
    • Please read the guidelines attached to your confirmation email
    □ □
    5
    Document confirming employment situation (including name of the company,
    address, telephone number, email, signature etc.)
    • Employees: Current letter of employment with original signature (no contracts)
    • Freelancers: Proof of your engagements (invoices,receipts;etc.)
    • Self employed: Company registration document (CK1/CK2/CM22)/ Letter from
    Accountant/ Letter from SARS
    • Students: Current proof of school/university registration confirming that the student
    is exempt from attending lectures during the requested travel period
    • Medical Doctors: valid Licence to practice from HPSCA
    • Lawyers: Proof of registration with Law Association
    • Unemployed/Retired: Proof of Residence required (utility bill/rental
    agreement/signed letter from property owner with ID copy)

16. Hi, im a south african citizen looking for my sister to travel to germany for the first time in to visit my other sister for 4 weeks and she will be staying at her house. now the problem is she is not working and im the one working. i want to suprise her on her birthday and give her a ticket to go see her elder sister in Germany. could you advise what is needed from her side to apply for my visa?everything is covered, how much will she need to have in her account? and what else is going to be needed. thank you

    Read more: https://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/germany-visa-requirements-for-south-africans/#ixzz5GKioFm00
    Follow us: @Travelstart on Twitter | Travelstart on Facebook

17. HI there,

    Thanks for getting in touch.

    You would require a tourist visa as you will not be in transit you are passing through immigration and leaving the airport.

    Please contact the Embassy as they will be able to provide you with the most up to date information.

18. Hi,
    I will transiting through the Frankfurt Airport on the 19th May 2018, from Vancouver (Canada) to Johannesburg (South Africa). I will arrive at the airport around 11H00 am, and my next flight would be around 20H15. If I were to leave the airport for few hours, say get into a half day tour of Frankfurt City, do I need a transit visa to leave the airport for a few hours?

19. Hi there,

    Thanks for getting in touch.

    Please contact the Embassy direct. As they are granting the visa’s they will advise you on the correct procedures you need to follow when applying for a visa. What documents they need you to have when applying as well as the cost.

    Their contact details are:

    German Consulate General (Cape Town)
    Tel Number : (021) 405 3000

    German Honorary Consulate General (Port Elizabeth)
    Tel Number : (041) 397 4721

    German Embassy (Pretoria)
    Tel Number : (012) 427 8900

20. Hi Wendy,

    I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa applications. For this you will need to contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency. They will be able to provide you with the most up to date information on what documents they require, the correct procedures to follow and cost of the Schengen visa.

21. Hi,
    We need to know more about the medical insurance please. In May we land in Hamburg, travel straight to Kiel and spend the night. Next day we leave for a 7 day Baltic Sea cruise. We had to pay compulsory insurance for this. On returning we go back to Hamburg, spend the night and fly home to ZA the next day. What else is needed to apply for the visa. I am also looking a visa application form that I can print, fill in and take to Durban.
    Thanks Wendy

22. Hi Jacques,

    One needs to apply for a visa in their country of residence.

    However as we are not the ones granting the visa’s please contact the Embassy direct, they specialise in visa related queries and will be able to assist.

23. Hi There:

    I have a friend who has been invited by a sponsor to go and play music gigs in Germany and Switzerland.
    Is the above information (to Jacob) relevant in his case as well?
    The main question is – should the visa be initiated from South Africa or from Germany?

    Regards

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26. Hi, im a south african citizen looking to travel to germany for the first time in april to visit a friend for 2 weeks and i will be staying at her house. could you advise what is needed from her side to apply for my visa? My flight and accommodation is covered, how much will i need to have per day in my account(will i need to have this in my account when i apply for my visa)? i dont have medical aid but my bank offers travel insurance on my cheque account will this be ok for my visa? I’m based in joburg, will i have to travel to pretoria to apply for my visa and how much will my visa cost me?

27. Hi Jacob,

    I’ve found the following online, however it does say to please contact the Embassy for the most up to date info.

    You can contact the Embassy or the official visa handling agency, and they will be able to help with any visa related queries: correct procedure to follow, cost and what documents would be needed.

    The following documents have to be submitted / completed Intergate German
    Mission
    1 One completed visa application
     Will be sent to you via email or alternatively printed at the Visa Application Centre.
    Needs to be fully completed and signed and dated by applicant.
     If the applicant is under the age of 18, the application form has to be signed by both
    parents / legal guardians
     Parent/s or Legal guardian/s including minor should be present at the appointment.
     In absence of a parent/s during the appointment: POA and written signed statement
    explaining why they were not able to be present at the time of appointment.
    □ □
    2 Passport
     Validity minimum 90 days from the date of expiry of the requested Visa
     Passport must be signed and must contain at least 2 empty visa pages for entry and
    departure stamp
     Non- South African citizens must hold a valid residency / work permit which allows
    re-entry to South Africa upon the end of the journey
     Previous passports (non SA citizens)
     Applicant exiting Germany and returning to South Africa via another country should
    present the relevant visa for the country
    □ □
    3 Photocopies
     2 passport copies of pages containing personal data
     Copies of all previous Schengen Visa(s) – even if in old Passports
     Provide copies of all original documents
    □ □
    4 One recent biometric passport sized photograph
     Should not be older than 6 months
     Please read the guidelines attached to your confirmation email
    □ □
    5
    Document confirming employment situation (including name of the company,
    address, telephone number, email, signature etc.)
     Employees: Current letter of employment with original signature (no contracts)
     Freelancers: Proof of your engagements (invoices,receipts,etc.)
     Self-employed: Company registration document (CK1/CK2/CM22)/ Letter from
    Accountant/ Letter from SARS
     Scholars/Students: Current proof of school/university registration confirming that the
    student is exempt from attending lectures during the requested travel period with an
    original signature
     Medical Doctors: valid Licence to practice from HPSCA
     Lawyers: Proof of registration with Law Association
     Unemployed/Retired: Proof of Residence required (utility bill/rental agreement/signed
    letter from property owner with ID copy)
    □ □
    2/3
    6
    Documents reflecting the nature of the trip
     Signed letter of invitation from private person (stating relationship) + passport copy +
    residency permit in Germany full address, telephone, email and contact person
     If inviting person is non EU (copy of permit required in addition to passport)
     Legalised letter of invitation or concert/sport event tickets
     Package Tour/ Cruises/ Individual Trips (proof of accommodation for every day)
    □ □
    7
    Documents confirming sufficient funds (60,00 Euro per person/per day) for the trip
     Current 3 months stamped bank statement of private bank account – savings or
    cheque
    Legalized letter of obligation (“Verpflichtungserklärung” according to §§ 66-68
    AufenthG with proof of funds) + passport copy of the host + written statement
    explaining the relationship between the inviting party and the applicant
     Note: no credit card statements
     Only applicable if Self Employed, 3 months stamped business Bank statements
    □ □
    8
    Flight-ticket and proof of accommodation
     Round trip flight reservations or travel itinerary with name and dates
     Proof of accommodation with full address for the entire time of stay in the Schengen
    State(s) /signed invitation letter and passport copy from a host in Germany with full
    address, telephone, email, etc.
     If applicable, proof of travel between EU/Schengen states(car rental/flights/train-bus
    tickets)
    □ □
    9
    Overseas medical travel insurance for Schengen States/Europe
     Certificate of Insurance valid for the entire duration of the requested Visa
     Minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 and repatriation
     Conditions must be stated either on insurance document or on separate visa letter
    (Please note: Medical insurances connected to credit cards are not accepted)
     Insurance must cover Schengen States
    □ □
    10
    For accompanying minors (younger than 18 years of age)
     Full unabridged birth certificate ( containing fathers and mothers name )
     Full unabridged marriage certificate of the parents
     Guardian’s/ parents declaration of consent signed by both guardians / parents
     Copy of first page of passport of minor and parents/legal guardian(s)
     Court ruling in case of custody / death certificate
    Please note: In the absence of one parent during the appointment, the absent party
    must have signed a power of attorney ( please go to http://www.visa-germany.co.za for more
    information )
    II. INFORMATION FOR THE APPLICANT
     The processing time for Visa applications takes 15 days according to the Schengen Visa Codex. The German missions and Intergate are committed to
    keep the processing time to a minimum.
     All documents must be submitted in German or English language
     Only complete applications can be accepted; Non-submission of necessary documentation may lead to a refusal
     During the processing period the passport has to remain with the German missions. Passports can only be withdrawn if a written request, signed by the
    applicant, is received. Consequently the application will be cancelled and the passport will be available for collection within 2 working days from
    Intergate.
     False or falsified documents will lead to refusal of visa and/ or further consequences
     The German missions reserve the right to ask for further supporting documents / information
     Visa extensions within Germany are generally not possible
     Applicants may not apply for permanent residence in Germany while on this Visa
     The German Mission may shorten the validity of the Visa without prior consultation
     in case of a one-year or multiple year visa being issued, the period of stay in a Schengen may not exceed 90 days within 180 days, this period of stay
    beginning with the first day of entry into the Schengen state.
     You may track your application on the website http://www.visa-germany.co.za or contact the Call Center at +27 (0) 861 00 22 45
     Have you already had your fingerprints taken at an earlier application for a C-Schengenvisa ? If so, it may not be necessary for you to apply in person.
    However, in case the biometric capturing of your fingerprints failed or has been compromised due to a technical problem and cannot be used you must
    have your fingerprints taken again. In such case, you will be contacted by the mission or by “Intergate “respectively
     Third Party Applications:
    All required Documents must be presented including:
    1. Dated and Signed Visa application form by applicant
    2. Completed and signed Proof of Authorisation Form
    3. Proof of identification of representative
    4. All documents required as originals
    3/3
    III. REMARKS INTERGATE
     Applicant requests a Visa with extended validity □
     Applicant travels alone □ with family members □ with a group □
     Applicant has previously had a Shengen Visa and copies have been attached □
     Applicant has been advised that his documents are incomplete □
     Applicant has been advised that the application was submitted less than 15 days before departure □
    Additional comments:
    IV. SIGNATURES AND AGREEMENT
    For the Visa applicant: I have read and agreed to

28. Hello there!

    I have a questions, I hope someone can point me in the direction that I can find the answer, or maybe give an answer.

    I have a friend that lives in South Africa that wants to visit me here in Germany, I received and E-mail the other day from him saying that he needs a “Letter of Invitation” is what we’ll call it and a color copy of my passport, I can’t find anything online verifying this.

    Can anyone help?
    Thank you.