How to apply for and receive a tourist visa to Germany

Purposes of receiving

A tourist visa to Germany is provided for Russians planning to visit the country for up to 90 days with a subsequent trip to other Schengen countries or without plans to leave German territory.

The main purposes of obtaining a tourist permit:

travel, exploring interesting places, attractions;
private visit (except for visiting relatives);
desire to “visit” real estate located in the Schengen zone (your own or relatives);
visiting a cemetery (civilian, military).

In the above cases, a visa to Germany type B (tourist) is permitted. To solve other problems, it is necessary to choose other types of permits.

Schengen visa to Germany

Pensioners planning to visit this country are required to attach a photocopy of their pension certificate, a certificate from the bank, or if there are insufficient funds in the account, a sponsorship letter from someone close to them, a letter from their employer on letterhead, a copy of their internal passport and a bank statement.

Original passport, valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip;
Questionnaire (the questionnaire can be filled out in our office);
Two color photographs 3.5 x 4.5. Photos can be taken or redone in our office;
Photocopies of all pages of the internal Russian passport;
Photocopies of all pages with marks of the foreign passport;
A photocopy of the pension certificate;
Original bank account statement confirming the availability of funds for the trip. Issued by the bank indicating the address and phone number. branches, blue seal;
If there is insufficient funds in the account, for the trip: a sponsorship letter from a close relative, a certificate from his place of work and an account statement (originals). Sponsorship letter.

Documents for a visa for temporarily unemployed

Adults who are unemployed and tourists apply for a visa to Germany with the same set of documents as pensioners, with the exception of a pension certificate. If there is no money in the account, documents from the sponsor are required.

Original passport, valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip;
Questionnaire with the personal signature of the tourist (the questionnaire can be filled out in our office);
Two color photographs 3.5 x 4.5. Photos can be taken or redone in our office;
Photocopies of all pages of the internal Russian passport;
Photocopies of all pages with marks of the foreign passport;
Original bank account statement confirming the availability of funds for the trip. Issued by the bank indicating the address and phone number. branches, blue seal;
If there is insufficient funds in the account, for the trip: a sponsorship letter from a close relative, a certificate from his place of work and an account statement (originals). Sponsorship letter.

Documents for student visa

To apply for a visa to Germany, students must receive a certificate from the place of study on company letterhead, valid for one month from the date of issue.

Original passport, valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip;
A questionnaire completed by parents or guardians (the questionnaire can be completed in our office);
Two color photographs 3.5 x 4.5. Photos can be taken or redone in our office;
Photocopies of all pages of the internal Russian passport;
Photocopies of all pages with marks of the foreign passport;
Original certificate from the place of study indicating the date of issue;
Original bank account statement confirming the availability of funds for the trip. Issued by the bank indicating the address and phone number. branches, blue seal;
If there is insufficient funds in the account, for the trip: a sponsorship letter from a close relative, a certificate from his place of work and an account statement (originals). Sponsorship letter.
Photocopy of birth certificate for minors.

Self-submission of documents for a visa through the visa center

To apply for a visa to Germany yourself, you must provide a complete package of documents including:

A foreign passport with an expiration date of at least three months from the date of departure from the Schengen area.
Copy of Russian passport.
Completed application form in German or English.
Proof of solvency (salary certificate, bank statement or sponsorship letter).
Confirmation of residence in the host country (paid voucher from the hotel).
Travel documents (plane or train tickets).
Insurance for the entire period of travel.
Two color photographs 3.5 x 4.5.
Visa fees.
Consular fee.

For children and students, provide a certificate from the place of study, a birth certificate, and for pensioners, a copy of the pension card.

Attention! Personal presence of all applicants over 12 years of age is required for self-submission and receipt of documents.

Validity periods

German visas are: Type C: For travel - with entry 1 or 2 times, the date of possible entry and the date no later than which you need to leave the country (corridor), as well as the number of days of stay, are indicated. Multi - repeatedly no more than 90 days for every six months, but no more than 180 days a year.

Type D: This type is issued for entry immediately for 180 days. Visa D is usually an intermediate visa before a residence permit.

Registration deadlines

The usual processing time is 5-6 working days, not counting the day of submission.

Photo requirements

Two color photographs 3.5 x 4.5. Photos must be current (taken no earlier than 3 months before the date of submission of documents, they must not be repeated on previously issued ones). White background, head size 70-80%, calm facial expression. Better take off your glasses! Head coverings are not allowed (hijab must not cover the face)! The photo should not be wrinkled or torn, or have any traces of dirt.

The correct photo can be taken in our office.

Two simple steps to 100% obtain German Schengen

Step 1: You need to collect and bring us the necessary documents (described above). If fingerprints have already been submitted, personal presence is not required, and residents of other cities can send their documents by mail.

If the fingerprints are not submitted, you will have to visit the visa center once, we will make an appointment for you at the most convenient time, and you can even deliver the documents by courier.

Step 2: Pick up your passport with a visa at the office or receive it by courier or by mail at a convenient place and time. To receive a passport with a visa by mail, you must order this service from a carrier operating in your region, such as DHL, EMS or another courier service.

Who may be denied entry into German Schengen.

Refusal of a visa to Germany is not uncommon, although if you carefully look at who applies for a visa and how they do it, it is worth noting that despite all the loyalty, it will be difficult for these individuals to obtain a visa to any EU country.

Most often the reasons are standard:

errors in filling out documents
documents are collected incorrectly (they are missing or they do not meet the requirements, there are not sufficient financial guarantees)
there have been immigration or law enforcement violations on previous trips.

We do not share the point of view of the EU consulates, but we have noticed that they are quite biased towards certain nationalities and areas of residence and birth of persons (Caucasus, Central Asia and Transcaucasia).

But there are also not very standard refusals, which refuseniks do not always understand and accept, although based on reality, they are quite reasonable from the point of view of the European Union. Such examples may include a beard, despite the fact that the person applying for a visa to Germany was born in the Caucasus or Central Asia, and lives in Moscow. In response to the reasonable observation that this is fashionable, we can recommend visiting other countries that are loyal to this kind of fashion, for example, going to Iran or the UAE.

It is worth keeping in mind that in case of refusal, the person who received it can resubmit the documents, eliminating the reasons for the refusal. It is worth considering that the visa service and other fees will have to be paid again.

note

With a German visa, you can visit Germany and other Schengen countries, as well as countries outside of it (Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Croatia). With a single-entry visa you will only be allowed into Germany.
A Schengen visa must be applied for in the country where you intend to spend more days.
The period of 180 days, during which a tourist can stay in the country for up to 90 days, is counted in reverse order from each day of stay.
We kindly ask you to pay attention to the relevance, size of photographs and requirements for the size of the face on them.
Each applicant must submit their own complete set of documents, even if the applicants are traveling together.
For minor children, a photocopied birth certificate must always be included.

Our recommendations

When planning a trip, you should act based on the situation. If there is no real proof of place of residence, tickets, insurance, experience in filling out an application, it is better not to risk it. We have been helping you prepare a package of documents in a short time for many years. By using our services, you can be 99.9% sure that the finished documents will be released on time. In practice, there are very few refusals and they are associated with violations of laws in the European Union (failure to comply with the terms of stay in the country, non-payment of fines, reporting to the police, etc.).

Contact us - we will always help!

Copies of documents and photos live and from media can be made in our office.

Cost of a tourist visa to Germany

The key issue directly related to the trip is the cost of obtaining permits. The consular fee for Germany is the same as for other Schengen states. The registration price is 35 € in normal mode and 70 € for expedited processing. Money is transferred only in rubles. Payment options - cash or non-cash. The rate is calculated at the time of payment. Applying to the Visa Center involves additional costs (from 1,499 rubles). This amount is in addition to the fee stated above.

When considering the question of how much a tourist visa to Germany costs, it is worth noting the preferential categories of citizens. The consular fee is not collected from the following persons:

schoolchildren and students;
subjects under six years of age;
teachers traveling to teach (must have confirmation);
husband/wife of a German citizen;
parents of German minors, etc.

Documents will not be considered without payment of the consular fee.

Types of visas to Germany

You can get a visa to Germany for short-term or long-term stay.

A short-term entry permit allows you to stay in the country for only 3 months within 180 days.

Sample of Schengen tourist visa

A short-term Schengen visa is issued for the following purposes:

Tourist trip.
Guest visit.
Business trip.
Treatment.

It is worth noting that a Schengen visa provides the right to both single and multiple entries into Germany.

A national visa is issued in the following cases:

Family reunification.
Employment in Germany.
Studying at a higher educational institution.
Training.

The validity period of a national visa is from 3 to 6 months.

Self-registration

The easiest way to obtain a tourist visa to Germany in 2020 is to contact the Visa Application Center (VC). To avoid queues, it is recommended to dial the authority’s phone number in advance and make an appointment. This option is convenient for travelers who need a guaranteed permit and are afraid of refusal due to an accidental error. The application must be submitted no earlier than 90 days and no later than 21 days before departure.

Applying for a tourist visa to Germany takes place in several steps:

Go to the VC website, study the rules and recommendations.
Make an appointment and join the electronic queue at a time convenient for you.
Gather documents to obtain a tourist visa to Germany.
Arrive on time according to the specified appointment and join the electronic queue.
Submit biometric data if required.
Pay the fees (consular and service). Attach the receipt to the package of documents.
Submit the documentation for review and receive a coupon with which you need to pick up the stamped documents.

Monitor the process of getting your visa to Germany ready and come on the specified day to receive your completed permit. You must have a ticket and passport with you. If you plan to involve a third party, you will need a power of attorney (notarized).

Documents for a tourist visa to Germany

From the above it is clear that the greatest difficulty for tourists is preparing documentation for the Visa Center and filling out the application form. Errors in collection or completion may result in refusal.

If you urgently need a tourist visa to Germany and do not want delays, collect your documents in advance. The package includes:

Application form. All fields must be completed.
International passport (original and copy).
Internal ID card (original and copy).
Health insurance policy (coverage from 30,000 €).
Photo - 3.5x4.5, color, on a light background.
Consent to the processing of personal data.
Plane tickets or other transport.
Travel route (when moving to Germany by car).
Confirmation of place of residence or travel agency program.
Cash guarantees. A certificate from a financial institution must be presented. Must confirm the presence of a minimum of 720 € in the account.
Certificate from the employer (document from the university, pension).
Confirmation of intention to return to the Russian Federation - marriage certificate, housing documents, etc.
Receipts for payment of fees.

When traveling with minors, additional papers will be required to obtain a Schengen visa to Germany - a certificate for the children (birth certificate), a document from an educational institution (for a student, student) and a letter from the sponsor. If the mother/father or mother and father remain in the Russian Federation, it is impossible to do without their approval (written) for the child to cross the border. The application form for a traveler under 18 years of age is signed by both parents.

If you have real estate in the country, you need an extract from the German register or documents confirming the ownership of the property (for example, a purchase and sale agreement).

In case of travel by invitation, you will need the original of this document with the passport information of the inviting entity and the seal of the notary authority. A copy of the document indicating the legality of residence in the country is also attached here.

Visa to Germany for a child

Many citizens of the Russian Federation are also interested in such an important question - how to obtain a visa to Germany independently for a child. A minor is required to provide:

A copy of the birth certificate, the original birth certificate is not needed;
Consent (power of attorney) for a child to travel from both parents or guardians at once, if a minor is traveling without parents/guardians, it must be certified by a notary. If the child is accompanied by at least one parent/guardian, then this notarized consent (power of attorney) is not required from the second;
If an entry permit is issued for a child at a different time from the parents, you need a copy of the parents’ Schengen documents and proof that they are traveling together: ticket or hotel reservations, where the child’s last and first names are entered, and so on.

Receipt times

Before obtaining a tourist visa to Germany, check the deadlines for obtaining a permit. The speed of approval of an application and issuance of a permit depends on many factors - the level of workload of the Consulate, the presence of errors, the completeness of documents and the correctness of their completion. The region from which a person applies to obtain a visa to Germany is no less important.

When applying to a VC or using the services of a travel company, a stamp is placed in the passport within up to 10 working days for a standard visa. When receiving an express visa, the processing time takes up to 2-3 days , provided that the traveler has submitted a complete package of documentation and no errors were made when filling it out.

After submitting the documents, all you have to do is wait. If representatives of the VC or the Consulate reveal the absence of any documentation, it may be additionally requested. In this case, the period for obtaining a tourist visa to Germany will be longer.

Types of visas to Germany – costs in 2021

The price of a Schengen entry permit is 35 euros for individuals and legal entities, a long-term visa is paid in the amount of 65 euros .

The amount of the visa fee is paid by the user directly to the consulate or through the visa center. When contacting lawyers, an additional service fee of 25 euros .

Ordering a visa through specialists makes it possible to choose a specific tariff from a regular consultation and transfer of documents to the consulate to the issuance of any type of visa to Germany on a turnkey basis.

Why can they refuse?

German citizens are distinguished by their pedantry and deep study of all the nuances. This also applies to the issue of issuing permits for foreign citizens (in our case, Russians) to visit the country. According to reviews, the probability of approval is above 90%, provided that the applicant has correctly entered all the information and submitted a complete package of documentation.

Refusal to issue a German tourist visa is possible under such circumstances:

errors when filling out documentation;
traveler unreliability;
presence of facts of violation of the terms of stay in any of the Schengen countries;
lack of financial confirmation;
suspicion that the person does not plan to return to Russia, etc.

If there are suspicions against the applicant, representatives of the Consulate schedule an interview. Based on the results of the communication, a decision is made about the possibility of granting permission to the person. Along with the invitation, you may be asked to bring additional documents.

Results

Now you know the principles of registration, how much it takes and the price of a tourist visa to Germany. To reduce risks, it is recommended to go straight to the official visa center, as direct application may take longer. The necessary documents should be collected in advance, and if necessary, consult with the CC employees. Obtaining Schengen opens the way not only to Germany, but also applies throughout Europe. If you schedule an interview, it is important to approach your communication carefully, dress well and try to convince the Consulate employee of your good intentions. When it comes to travel, you need to provide a clear plan of the places you plan to visit.

Types of visa permits to Germany

The main division of entry documents involves short-term Schengen and long-term national visas:

The first group is issued for a period of up to 6 months,
The second allows you to live in Germany for up to 1 year.

A multiple visa can be issued for a period of up to 5 years; this subgroup is already considered a residence permit.

Types of visas to Germany are determined before applying for an entry document. Depending on the purpose of the visit, the price of the permit changes, as well as the list of documentation for the application.

Types of visas to Germany
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