VISA

Germany offers a variety of visas, each with specific conditions regarding the purpose and duration of the applicant's stay. The following section presents the types of visas that are most frequently requested by our law firm.

Category A

For the vast majority of foreign travelers, the so-called "transit privilege" applies: If the international transit area is not left during a stopover at a German airport and the final destination is in a country outside the Schengen area, no visa is required for the transit stay.

Category B

The transit visa (B) has been covered by the general Schengen visa (C) since the Visa Code came into force. Originally, the B visa allowed you to cross the Schengen area by land in a maximum of 5 days.

Category C

The Schengen visa (C) allows a short stay in one of the countries of the Schengen area. The duration of the permitted visit is stated on the visa. Depending on the purpose of the trip, the visa is valid for one: - Single entry Only one visit to a country in the Schengen area is permitted. After leaving the Schengen area, re-entry is not permitted even if the visa is still valid. - Double entry This visa entitles the holder to two visits to the Schengen area and the validity is indicated on the visa. After the second exit from the Schengen area, re-entry is not permitted even if the visa is still valid. - Multiple entry This visa does not limit the number of visits or entries into the Schengen area. However, the validity is limited to 90 days within a period of 6 months. The first day of entry into the Schengen area is the first day of validity of the visa. For shorter stays and re-entries to the Schengen area, the total number of days of the stay is added together until 90 days are reached.

Category D

The "National Visa Type D" is a visa for longer stays or "stays until further notice", i.e. depending on which residence permit you receive in Germany. The visa basically entitles you to enter Germany for a long-term stay, but you can only obtain this with a corresponding residence permit. As it can often take several months to obtain a residence permit from the immigration authorities, you should contact the relevant immigration authority as soon as you arrive in Germany and apply for the appropriate residence permit. Depending on the type of visa, this will also allow you to work, study or do an apprenticeship, for example. The different types of visa are described in more detail here:
- Visa for skilled workers
- Student visa
- Training visa
- Visa to look for work
- Visa to look for a training or study place
- Visa for taking up employment
- Visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications
- EU Blue Card
- Visa for research
- Visa for self-employmen t
- Marriage visa
- Family reunification


The above information has been carefully researched. However, facts may have changed or new circumstances may have arisen since publication. Therefore, no guarantee can be given for the accuracy and topicality of the respective article. None of the articles make any statements for individual cases. They are also no substitute for legal advice.