Schengen and national visas are valid in Germany. Getting one or the other depends on the purpose of the trip and the length of stay. The documents required for opening visas also differ depending on the type.
Visa to Germany for Russians
A visit to Germany by a Russian citizen is possible only upon obtaining a visa. There are two main categories:
- Schengen - allows you to stay in the country for a total of no more than 90 days within six months. Belongs to category C. If a Russian citizen has a valid Schengen, issued by the embassy of another country of the Schengen Union, then it is also valid for entering the territory of Germany.
- National (category D) - is intended for those who need to stay in Germany for longer than a specified period.
A Schengen visa can be issued for various purposes, depending on which the documentation will change:
- tourist;
- guest room - provides for an invitation from German relatives or friends;
- business;
- medical;
- to attend courses for the study of the German language;
- for property owners in Germany, etc.
Paperwork can be done both independently and with the involvement of specialized agencies. The second method is more expensive, but it minimizes risks and saves time.
Schengen documents
Recommendations for applicants for entry into the country and a sample of this or that document are presented on the official website of the German Delegations in Russia.
To obtain Schengen, you must collect the following package of documents:
- Visa application form. The questionnaire contains personal data, information on travel dates, guarantors, etc. The application form can be completed online or downloaded and filled in manually. The application must contain the applicant's signature and photo (see requirements below). An example of filling out a questionnaire:
- A valid international passport and its copy.
- Photos (2 pcs.): Size 3.5x4.5, without corners, light background.
- A document confirming the payment of the visa fee. Collection amount for category С - 35 euros, category D (national) - 30 euros... For children under 6 years old, there is no need to pay the fee.
- Health insurance policy. Features: must be valid throughout the Schengen Union, the amount of coverage in the event of an insured event must be at least 30,000 euros... Validity period - not less than the duration of the intended trip.
- Documents confirming the availability of a hotel reservation / invitation from the host.
- Air tickets or other documents confirming the route.
- Certificates confirming the level of income. You need to attach a certificate from the place of work, which will indicate the type of activity of the company, position and salary. If an officially unemployed citizen is sent on a trip, a sponsorship letter and a certificate from the sponsor's place of work are required.
- Bank statement confirming the availability of funds for stay in Germany. The minimum recommended amount is 50 euros per person multiplied by the number of travel days.
- Copies of previous Schengen visas (if any) - if the visas were affixed to the old passport, you need to attach a copy of it.
- Internal passport and copies of all its pages.
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What other documents may be needed
The above list of documents for the tourist Schengen category C is sufficient. To apply for a visitor visa, you need to receive a letter from the inviting party, confirming that accommodation will be provided there for the duration of your stay in Germany. If the inviter is a relative, it is better to also attach copies of documents confirming the relationship.
National visa D
A category D national visa allows you to stay in Germany for 90 days or more, and then obtain a residence permit. Usually it is valid for up to 6 months, if for some reason you need to stay in the country longer, then you need to contact the Office for Foreigners to obtain a residence permit.
Category D visa is most often issued for the following purposes:
- Family reunification - this category implies marriage with a German citizen or moving to minor children who are citizens of the country.
- Educational goals - study at a German university, language courses, etc.
- Labor purposes - activities as an employee or entrepreneur on German territory.
A national visa requires filling out an application in German, as well as translating documents into German. In addition, personal submission of documents to the Consulate is required. Additional documents that may be required are presented in the table below.
| Type of visa | Additional documents (in German) |
| Student | An invitation from a German educational institution; a previously translated diploma; motivation letter and autobiography; documents confirming knowledge of the German language. For students under 18 years old - parental consent, certified by a notary. |
| Working | A copy of the employment contract or a document confirming further employment; copies of diplomas confirming the qualifications of a specialist; confirmation from the employer that he was unable to obtain a suitable specialist at the German labor exchange (the requirement does not apply to applicants for the Blue Card). |
| Family reunification, including "bride visa" | Documents confirming the submission of an application to the German registry office; a certificate confirming knowledge of the language; documents confirming relationship. |
Multivisa
A Schengen multivisa involves multiple visits to the country. It is issued for up to 5 years. Most often, such a visa is for travel with a guest or business purpose, since in this case there is a logical explanation for multiple entries into the country. To obtain such a visa, in addition to the basic documents, you must provide an appropriate invitation from an individual or legal entity.
Mandatory availability and use in accordance with the purpose of Schengen visas for the last two years.
Transit visa
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If the transfer is short in time, then Russians and CIS citizens do not need to obtain a transit visa. Category A and B transit visas are required only for citizens of some third world countries. If you intend to leave the transit zone, you will need a regular Schengen visa, the list of documents for which is presented above.
Additional documents for minor children and pensioners
Additional visa documents may be required when applying for a permit for a child or pensioner. For children, a certificate from the place of study, a sponsorship letter, a birth certificate, as well as permission for the child to leave the borders of Russia, if only one of the parents is going on a trip, is required. For non-working retirees, you will need a sponsorship letter, as well as a pension certificate and a copy of it.
Documents required when traveling with your own car
If you plan to travel by car, you need the following list of documents:
- Trip plan with a schedule by dates of places of visit and overnight stay. Stopping places are planned based on the daily run. This plan is called a route sheet.
- Confirmation of hotel reservations. To select a hotel, you can use the sites: Booking.com, HRS.com or Adriatic.hr. The second way is the services of special agencies. After booking the hotel, the managers of the agency will send a confirmation, which will later serve as one of the necessary documents for obtaining a visa.
- Vehicle registration certificate.
- International vehicle insurance.
- Driver's license.
Do I need fingerprinting
It is impossible to obtain a Schengen visa without biometric data, so the applicant must be ready to submit fingerprints. The fingerprinting procedure can be done directly at the diplomatic mission. Biometric data is valid for 5 years.
Obtaining completed documents
Registration of a Schengen visa usually takes 3-5 days, during the tourist season it can take up to 2 weeks. The processing of a national visa takes more time: the minimum processing time is usually one month.
Feedback on obtaining a German visa
Alexander: Applied for a tourist visa. Application form in Russian, except for name and surname, hotels and their addresses; 2 photos (one returned); bank statements; certificate from work; insurance; air ticket + receipt of payment; Russian passport - only where there are some marks; passport + copy of the first page; hotel reservation from booking.com. After 3 days I received a passport with a multivisa, the dates are strictly according to the tickets, but this is the first Schengen.
Ekaterina: There are about 10 visas from different Schengen countries (not Germany). My husband and I collected a bundle of documents. Applied through the Visa Application Center. A day later, we went to the site and were extremely surprised at the status: the documents were reviewed by the Embassy, you can pick them up. They gave a multivisa, the deadline was the dates of the trip, as requested.
Thus, obtaining a visa to Germany with the correct paperwork (do not forget about the pedantry of the Germans) does not cause difficulties. The terms of consideration and issuance of a visa are rather short, but it is better to take care of the submission of documents in advance.
