Visa for Germany

Before travelling to Germany, one of the first things to consider is whether you need to apply for a visa. Nationals of the European Union and the European Economic Area do not normally require a visa to work in the Federal Republic of Germany. 

Nationals of all the other countries need to apply for a national (type D) visa for Germany if they intend to take up an employment immediately upon arrival. This is especially important to consider for citizens of the countries that do not require an entry visa for Germany for travel (such as US, Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan).

The visa application usually takes place in person at the nearest German Embassy or Consulate in your home country. In case you live in a country different from the country of your citizenship, it is possible to apply from the country of your residence. In order to submit the documents, you need to schedule an online appointment. You can find the online appointment booking system, as well as the list of documents, on the website of your German Embassy or Consulate. The processing time for visa applications varies, and may take up to several months, so we encourage you to start the application process as soon as possible.

The visa is usually issued for the duration of 3 months. In case your planned stay in Germany exceeds the duration of your visa, you will need to apply for a residence permit at the local Immigration Office in Germany upon arrival. The International Office is there to support you with this step!