A visa center is a commercial organization that helps citizens prepare and correctly execute documents for obtaining a visa to foreign countries. The visa center is a kind of intermediary between citizens and the embassy. If the latter organization is most often found only in Moscow and St. Petersburg, then there are visa centers in many large cities of Russia. If you need to obtain a visa to Germany, residents of St. Petersburg can contact the embassy directly or the visa center.
Germany Visa Application Center - St. Petersburg
If a resident of St. Petersburg decides to apply for a short-term visa to Germany, then for help he can contact VFS Global, where not only the visa center for Germany is located, but also for other European countries.
A visa to Germany St. Petersburg can be obtained:
- Address: shopping center "Chkalovsky", Bolshaya Raznochinnaya street, 16a.
- Email address;
- Official site
- Phone numbers for appointments and questions: +7499-705-12-26; +7812-612-20-06; +7499-704-55-36; +7812-612-20-27; +7812-612-20-05. Using these numbers you can call and make an appointment, as well as ask all your questions.
When making an appointment you must provide:
- Purpose of visit to the country;
- Date of desired trip;
- The number of people who need permission to travel to the country.
Note! You can contact the visa center only if you require a short-term German visa to St. Petersburg. To apply for a long-term visa, you need to contact the German Consulate in Russia directly.
Visa Center opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 16:00. The center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on public holidays in Russia and Germany.
Germany Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg
Important! In order to apply for Schengen, it is not necessary to make an appointment in advance; you can arrive on the day the center is open and stand in line.
Telephone
Applicants can contact the staff of the Germany Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg to obtain background information by calling
- +78123098979.
This is a single call-center phone, so calls are paid. Tariffing is carried out according to the rates of the mobile operator.
Consultation is conducted verbally and is free for all callers. Those who wish to send a written request to the Germany Visa Application Center should write an email to the institution:
At the very beginning of the appeal, it is recommended to indicate the topic and position of the person to whom the letter is addressed.
How to get to the Germany Visa Application Center?
There are several ways to get to the Germany visa center in St. Petersburg:
- Arriving from the Ladozhsky station, you need to get on at the Ladozhskaya station, then get off at the Spasskaya station and change to the Sadovaya station, after a few stops get off at Chkalovskaya.
- From the Finlyandsky Station you need to get off at the Lenin Square station, at Pushkinskaya, change to Zvenogorodskaya, and go to the Chkalovskaya station for about an hour. You can also take minibus No. K10 from the Finlyandsky Station stop and get off on Vvedenskaya Street, from there it’s 5 minutes to the visa center.
- From Moskovsky Station you need to take the metro from Ploshchad Vosstaniya station and go straight to Chkalovskaya.
Germany Visa Application Center
Consulate of Germany in St. Petersburg
Address, how to get there
The German visa center in St. Petersburg is located on Kazanskaya Street, building No. 1/25. This is the Atrium shopping center, where office 504B is located on the fifth floor.
The fastest way to get to the German Visa Application Center is to use the metro. You need to get off at the Nevsky Prospekt station, from where it is three minutes to the desired VisaMetric branch.
You can also use other types of public transport, which travel towards the Atrium, Kazan Cathedral or the above metro station.
List of required documents for obtaining a visa to Germany
In order to obtain a Schengen visa you need to prepare the following documents:
- International passport (copy);
- Copies of internal passport;
- Two photographs, measuring 3 by 4 cm;
- Insurance with coverage of 30 thousand euros*;
- Questionnaire;
- Confirmation of the availability of accommodation for the period of the trip (hotel room reservation or rental housing) and copies of tickets;
- Confirmation of financial solvency (bank statement);
- Certificate from place of work or study (depending on the purpose of the trip);
- A sponsorship letter may be required if the citizen does not have enough funds in his personal account to travel to Germany)
Note! The passport must have at least two blank pages. It is also worth providing copies of pages where there is a note about visiting Germany earlier.
After collecting all the necessary documents, a German visa to St. Petersburg can be obtained from VFS Global. If necessary, you can ask the center staff for help in filling out the form and obtaining insurance. Visa centers provide many services to make the process easier for the citizen. Accordingly, all additional services are paid.
Germany Visa Application Center in Moscow
How long to wait for a passport with a visa
Inside the German Exhibition Center in St. Petersburg
If the visa documents did not arouse suspicion among German diplomats, then making a decision on issuing a Schengen visa takes several working days. If an extended check or clarification of the purpose of the trip is required, the review of documents may take up to 30 days.
The date of submission of documents to the German Consulate General and the expected time of return of the passport can be clarified at the visa center.
Cost of obtaining a visa at the visa center
Registration through VFS Global will in any case be more expensive than through the consulate, since in addition to the mandatory consular fee you will also have to pay a service fee.
- Consular fee is 35 euros;*
- The service fee is 19-22 euros (if fingerprints are provided, the price increases)*
Additional Information! If a visa is refused, fees will not be refunded.
Germany Visa Application Center in Novosibirsk - official website
Procedure for obtaining a visa to Germany
reference Information
To obtain a short-term German Schengen visa for the first time after September 14, 2015, all applicants are required to appear in person at the consulate or authorized visa center to provide biometric data.
Children under 12 years of age are not required to submit fingerprints. Citizens of Russia living in the Northwestern Federal District, namely in St. Petersburg, the Komi Republic, Karelia, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Leningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod, can apply for a visa to Germany in St. Petersburg. Pskov regions. Registration must be valid for at least 3 months before and 3 months after the visa expires. For citizens of Russia in the absence of temporary registration, submission is possible if they have a certificate from the place of employment indicating the position and salary, date of hire, type of activity of the company, contact details of the organization in St. Petersburg.
Submission of documents is carried out personally by the applicant at the Germany Visa Application Center.
Cost of consular and service fees when applying for a visa to Germany
- The consular fee and service fee for issuing a visa are 35 euros and 20.35 euros (to be paid by the applicant at the German Visa Application Center in rubles on the day of application).
Services of the Unified Visa Center
The Unified Visa Center provides comprehensive services for preparing documents for obtaining a visa to Germany:
. The cost of the service is 8,400 rubles. The service includes:
- Consulting
- Filling out the application form
- Checking the completeness of the applicant’s documents in accordance with the requirements of the Consulate
- Submission of documents by an employee of the Visa Center (provided that fingerprints were previously submitted), Consular and service fees.
. The cost of the service is 2,000 rubles. The service includes:
- Consulting
- Filling out the application form
- Checking the completeness of the applicant’s documents in accordance with the requirements of the Consulate
- If necessary, arrange an appointment at the Germany Visa Application Center to submit documents and provide biometric identifiers.
. The cost of the service is 15,000 rubles. (the service is provided only at the central office on Krasnogo Tekstilshchik St., 10–12, lit. D, 1st floor)
- Consulting
- Filling out the application form
- Checking the completeness of the applicant’s documents in accordance with the requirements of the Consulate
- Arranging an appointment with the German Consulate to submit documents and provide biometric identifiers.
- Support for submitting documents
Applying for a Schengen visa through the German Embassy in Russia
You can apply for a visa not only at the visa center, but also at the German Embassy in Russia. This option is suitable for those Russians who are traveling to Schengen countries more than once and are well acquainted with the rules for obtaining a Schengen visa. You need to contact the visa department of the General Embassy in Moscow.
German Embassy in Moscow.
- Address: Mosfilmovskaya street, 56.
- Postal address: 119313, Moscow, Leninsky Prospekt, 95 “A” (passage from Academician Pilyugin Street);
- Telephone;
- Official site
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 10:00, from 10:30 to 13:00. Monday to Thursday from 13:30 to 16:00. Friday 13:30 to 14:00.
You can get to the place by metro to the Kuntsevskaya station, and then transfer to the 58th bus, there will be about eight stops to the embassy.
Working hours
The German visa center in St. Petersburg is open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, but the exact time of the visit will depend on the purpose.
Important! You can submit visa documents through the German visa center in St. Petersburg strictly by appointment!
- The visa submission period for individual applicants is from 09:00 to 16:30.
- The period for submitting visa documentation for a group of applicants from 5 people is from 09:00 to 15:00.
- The period for issuing passports is from 09:00 to 17:30.
Saturday and Sunday are official days off at visa offices. They do not work on days of state celebrations in Germany and Russia. A complete list of holidays can be found on the center's official page.
What problems may arise when applying for a Schengen visa to Germany
It is quite rare for Russian citizens to be denied a visa, and the embassy must also issue a paper stating the reasons for disapproving the application.
Refusal is possible in the following cases:
- Incorrect documentation is the most common reason for refusal;
- Lack of explanation of the purpose of the trip;
- The citizen has committed crimes in the past on the territory of the Schengen countries;
- Insufficient funds in the accounts and lack of a sponsorship letter;
- The applicant has intentionally provided false information in the past. For example, I booked a hotel room and did not live there;
- During the conversation with the consul, the person behaved suspiciously; the consul had suspicions that the person was insane or did not intend to return to his homeland.
Additional Information! You need to have 50 euros for a day of stay in the country.*
Documents required to obtain a visa to Germany
reference Information
- Valid passport. The document must be valid for 3 months after the expected expiration of the visa. The passport must be issued no more than 10 years ago and contain at least one free page. The passport must be signed if the applicant is over 14 years old.
- A copy of the main page of the international passport containing the basic data of the applicant.
- 2 color photographs (3.5 x 4.5 cm) on a white background, no older than 6 months. The size of the face in the photo is approximately 3.2-3.6 cm from the chin to the roots of the hair. (You will be able to take photographs that meet all requirements at the Single Visa Application Center).
- Medical insurance for the duration of the trip, valid in the Schengen countries, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. You must provide the original Russian or a copy of the German insurance. (The service is available at the Unified Visa Center. Insurance agent services are provided by Unified Visa Center LLC on behalf of the insurance company). The insurance policy must be signed by the insured.
- An expired foreign passport , but containing Schengen visas for the last 3 years.
- Original Russian passport and copies of all completed pages. Copies of the marital status page and the page about previously issued passports must be provided, even if they do not contain marks.
Classification of Schengen visa refusals
- A1-A3 is the most common type. The problem is most likely in incorrect paperwork or not providing all the necessary papers. After receiving such a refusal, you must immediately resubmit your documents; the visa will probably be issued;
- B1-B3 - ban on transit crossing of German territory;
- C1 - ban on visiting for up to 1 year;
- C2 - refusal of Schengen for 2 years;
- C3 - it is worth appearing for an interview with the consul;
- A4, B4, C4, D4 - refusals related to previous violation of the law in Schengen countries. In this case, it is almost impossible to obtain a visa.
If refused, you must immediately submit a petition to the consulate, having received a second refusal to appeal to the administrative court in Berlin. If the administrative court does not uphold the appeal, then there is no way to challenge its decision.
*Prices are current as of July 2021.
How to apply for a Germany visa for minors
Applications from persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by:
- Birth certificate and its copy.
- If a child is traveling alone or with one of the parents/guardians, permission from the other parent/both parents is provided.
The permit must satisfy the following requirements
- written certified by a notary,
- Germany and other Schengen countries must be specified in the document,
- the permit must be valid at the time of presentation to the consulate and cover the expected validity period of the visa.
If it is impossible to obtain permission, you must provide documents explaining the reason for its absence (certificate from a single parent or other documents).
- It is also necessary to submit documents from the sponsor - the person who pays for the trip.
Which Russians may soon apply for a Schengen visa
The main change is that Russians who previously did not have such an opportunity can apply for a Schengen visa. We are talking only about those to whom the German mission of Germany in Russia has previously issued a long-term visa valid for at least two years. Moreover, the visa had to expire no later than April 1, 2021, that is, such persons “did not have the opportunity to request a visa again during the pandemic,” the German Foreign Ministry explains.
The German Foreign Ministry does not specify a time frame for lifting restrictions on entry into the country, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
Those planning to visit Germany, in addition to the usual package of documents, will need to sign one more document stating that the visitor is familiar with the rules for entering Germany during a pandemic. All documents must be submitted not in person at the visa center, but online, through the VisaMetric website. The new visa does not imply immediate arrival in Germany, but will be issued so that it can be used later - after the current restrictions are lifted.
Another important limitation is that the new rules do not apply to tourist visas. They, as before, will not issue them yet. “The purpose of the trip should not be tourism,” the German Foreign Ministry clarifies. This is not about a full-scale easing of the visa regime introduced during the pandemic, but about an “additional proposal.” At the same time, the number of applications that will be processed is also limited, the German Foreign Ministry explained.
Visas to Germany
common for all Schengen countries
List of required documents by section
Economy and Standard:
- The passport is valid. The passport must be valid for 3 months after the visa expires. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages.
- Previous passports. If they have had visas for the last 5 years.
- Completed questionnaire
- 2 Photos (included in the price). The photo must be taken no more than 6 months ago, on a white background. Photo size 35X45mm on a light gray background, face size 32-36 mm
- A copy of the Russian passport of all pages containing information + the original for submitting documents. For persons over 14 years of age
- Insurance policy with coverage of at least 30,000 euros for the entire period of the requested visa (included in the price)
- Certificate of employment on the organization's letterhead. Indicating the position, income, since when he has been working, what the organization does, and a telephone number is required. You cannot sign the certificate for yourself; it is valid for 1 month.
- Original bank statement showing the movement of funds for at least the last 3 months or a certificate in form 2NDFL
- Book round trip tickets
- Proof of residence in Germany
Additional documents for minor children:
- Copy of birth certificate
- Notarized consent from the parent not traveling with the child. To Germany and Schengen countries
- Copies of Russian passports of both parents, main pages and registrations
- Copies of the main pages of the parents’ passports and their valid Schengen visas, if available
- Sponsorship statement from the sponsor's parent in free form
- Certificate from the employer of the sponsor's parent on the organization's letterhead. Indicating the position, income, since when he has been working, what the organization does, and a telephone number is required. You cannot sign the certificate for yourself; it is valid for 1 month.
- Original bank statement showing the movement of funds for at least the last 3 months or a certificate in Form 2NDFL from the sponsor’s parent
List of required documents for the section
Premium:
- The passport is valid. The passport must be valid for 3 months after the visa expires. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages
- Previous passports. If they have had visas in the last 5 years
- Completed questionnaire
- 2 Photos (included in the price). The photo must be taken no more than 6 months ago, on a white background. Photo size 35X45mm on a light gray background, face size 32-36 mm
- A copy of the Russian passport of all pages containing information + the original for submitting documents. For persons over 14 years of age
- Insurance policy with coverage of at least 30,000 euros for the entire period of the requested visa (included in the price)
- Certificate of employment on the organization's letterhead. Indicating the position, income, since when he has been working, what the organization does, and a telephone number is required. You cannot sign the certificate for yourself; it is valid for 1 month.
- Original bank statement showing the movement of funds for at least the last 3 months or a certificate in form 2NDFL
Additional documents for minor children:
- Copy of birth certificate
- Notarized consent from the parent not traveling with the child. To Germany and Schengen countries
- Copies of Russian passports of both parents, main pages and registrations
- Copies of the main pages of the parents’ passports and their valid Schengen visas, if available
- Sponsorship statement from the sponsor's parent in free form
- Certificate from the employer of the sponsor's parent on the organization's letterhead. Indicating the position, income, since when he has been working, what the organization does, and a telephone number is required. You cannot sign the certificate for yourself; it is valid for 1 month.
- Original bank statement showing the movement of funds for at least the last 3 months or a certificate in Form 2NDFL from the sponsor’s parent
Visa processing time: 10 calendar days from the date of submission to the visa center. An urgent visa is possible within 3-4 working days.
The Germany Visa Application Center is located at: St. Petersburg, st. B. Raznochinnaya, 16A Opening hours: 09:00-16:00 Tel.
The German Consulate is located at: St. Petersburg, st. Furshtatskaya, 39 Tel.
Please note that from September 14, 2015, all applicants over 12 years of age must undergo a mandatory fingerprint scanning procedure. Fingerprints are taken every 5 years in one of the dip. representative offices or visa centers of the Schengen countries. The data is stored for five years for all other Schengen countries.