Is it easy or not easy to get a German tourist visa? Surely those who want to visit Germany for sightseeing and experience have thought about this.

The Old Town Hall in Bamberg, Schwerin Castle, Nuremberg Christmas Market, Oktoberfest, Cologne Cathedral, and many other places and events in Germany have attracted tourists from all over the world. In addition, the variety of delicious beers, breads and sausages, the hospitality of the people, and much more attracted 459.6 million visitors to the Federal Republic of Germany in 2017 alone.

However, many tourists will need to apply for a visa before they can enter Germany. Although Germany has visa facilitation agreements with over 60 countries (including the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Japan, etc.), there are still many countries around the world whose citizens need a visa even for short trips.

This visa is called the German Schengen Visa and allows the holder to visit Germany and all other countries in the Schengen Area for the duration of the visa issued (up to 90 days).

You must apply for a Schengen visa if you plan to visit Germany for less than three months, to visit family or friends or for sightseeing.

Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa for tourism purposes, as well as requirements, fees, visa validity, etc.

What is a German tourist visa?

A German tourist visa is a visa established by the Schengen countries, allowing its holder to visit Germany and all 27 Schengen member countries. It is issued as a sticker affixed to the traveler’s passport.

This visa is for tourism or visiting friends and family members and limits you to travel and sightseeing within the Schengen area.

Please note that as a holder of a German tourist visa or specifically a Schengen visa, you are not allowed to work or study; therefore, you must apply for a student visa or a work visa (national visa) or other types of visa depending on your purpose of entry if you want to enter Germany for purposes other than tourism.

Do I need a German tourist visa?

Since Germany is a member state of the Schengen Area, it allows citizens of 62 countries to enter Germany for tourism purposes without a visa. Residents of these countries are allowed to stay in Germany for a period of 90 days within a 6-month period, visa-free.

On the other hand, if you are a citizen of Vietnam, you will need a short-stay tourist/visitor visa to enter Germany for up to 90 days within a six-month period.

Note: If you are a citizen of multiple nationalities, visa requirements will depend on the passport you choose to travel with. If the passport you choose to carry requires a mandatory visa, you must apply for the required visa.

Here are the types of tourists who need and who do not need a visa to visit Germany:

Tourists to Germany do not need a visa	Tourists need to apply for a visa to visit relatives in Germany
Citizens of the Schengen Area	No visa liberalization agreement with Schengen member states
Citizens of one of the countries that have established a visa-free regime with the Schengen countries*	There is a visa liberalization agreement with Schengen countries, but tourists have been denied visa-free entry by border guards
Visa holders from other Schengen countries
Holder of a national visa issued by one of the member states
Person with a permanent residence permit issued by one of the Schengen countries

How to get a German Tourist Visa?

To get a German tourist visa, you will have to follow the application process steps listed below:

1. Gather the necessary documents. See list below!
2. Indicate where you need to apply. For example, this could be the German embassy/consulate/visa application centre in your country.
3. Make an appointment for an interview. You can make an appointment online or in person at the German consulate/embassy.
4. Pay visa fees.
5. Attend your interview. The interview, which can last about 20 minutes, will involve the visa consulate asking you questions about your trip and requesting documents.
6. Wait for feedback on your application.

Requirements for German Tourist Visa

Application for German tourist visa or Schengen visa requires the following documents:

1. Schengen visa application form completely filled in and signed by the applicant.

(When completing the application, please select your native language or the applicant’s native language if possible so that all information contained in the application is displayed in that language)

2. Two identical biometric passport photos, recently taken (size 45mm x 35mm) ? Attach one photo to the visa application form.

3. Passport or official travel document (Do not use passport covers/covers!).

Note: Passport or travel document must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of departure from the Schengen area. Passport or travel document must have at least 2 blank visa pages and must not have been issued more than 10 years ago.

For minors: Consent statement and copy of parent/custodial parent’s passport (if they are not travelling) and child’s birth certificate.

4. In case the applicant is not a Vietnamese citizen: Vietnam residence permit for foreigners.

5. Proof of employment (if any):

a) The employment contract clearly states the position/title, contract term,

b) Bank account statement

c) Confirmation from the employer on leave (paid or unpaid leave),

d) Social insurance book.

6. If the applicant is a company owner or self-employed:

a) Business registration certificate,

b) Company tax reports for the last 3 months.

7. If the applicant is retired:

Pension payment certificate for the last three months.

8. If the applicant is a student:

Confirmation from the school that the applicant is studying there and student ID card.

9. Proof of financial resources for the entire trip:

a) Bank account statement

b) Declaration of the ability to cover the costs according to sections 66-68 of the Residence Act (Kostenübernahmeerklärung nach §§ 66-68 AufenthG). In addition, proof of the applicant’s financial means must be submitted (see section 10).

10. Proof of the applicant’s financial capacity:

For example: Passbook, stock ownership certificate, land use rights, real estate ownership, etc.

11. Documents about the applicant’s family:

a) Marriage certificate (if applicable) + Identity card/citizenship card of spouse + Residence permit of spouse, if they are currently residing in the EU/Schengen area,

b) Birth certificates of all the applicant’s children (if any) + Identity cards/ID cards of all the children + Residence permits of the children, if they are currently residing in the EU/Schengen area,

c) Confirmation of residence information issued by the Police Department.

12. Travel itinerary and hotel/private accommodation reservations

a) Valid hotel reservation/reservation confirmation or proof of private accommodation with full address (hotel name, street, city, postal code, contact details, reservation number…),

b) Detailed itinerary.

c) Book flight tickets.

13. Proof of previous stays in the Schengen area (if any):

In addition to the documents listed in item 3: submit the original passport or expired travel document, along with copies of previous visas.

14. Mandatory travel medical insurance (The insurance must be valid for all Schengen countries and for the entire duration of the intended stay, including the costs of emergency treatment and repatriation for medical reasons, with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000).

Where to apply for a German tourist visa?

If Germany is your only Schengen destination, depending on how the German authorities regulate visa applications in your country, you may have to apply at:

• German Embassy
• German Consulate
• Visa Center

However, if you plan to visit more than one place outside Germany, you can only apply at the German embassy/consulate/visa centre in your home country if Germany is your main destination. That means:

• You will visit other countries but will spend more days in Germany than any other country.
• You will spend equal days in every country you visit, but you will enter Schengen through Germany.

If none of the above applies to you, even though you are planning to visit Germany, among other countries, you may have to apply at the embassy of another Schengen member state.

When should I apply for a German tourist visa?

You can apply for a Schengen visa as early as six months before your intended trip to Germany. Meanwhile, the latest you can do so is two weeks before your trip to Germany.

However, you should apply for a tourist visa at least 3 weeks before your travel date to avoid any delays in processing.

German tourist visa fee for 1 visitor

You will need to pay a visa fee for your application to be processed. The cost of a Schengen visa as of 2020 is €80. However, some categories are exempt from visa fees or have reduced fees. Make sure you check whether you fall into any of these categories before you pay your fee.

Please note that visa fees are non-refundable in case of visa refusal and prices are subject to change at any time.

TYPES OF VISAS	CURRENCY UNIT (EURO)	CURRENCY UNIT (VND)
Regular Schengen Visa (12 years and older)	80	2.050.000
Visa for children 6-12 years old	40	1.050.000
Visa for children under 6 years old	0	0

How long does it take to process a German Tourist Visa?

Short-stay visas to Germany take around ten days to process. However, when the embassy is processing many visa applications, tourist visas may take longer as business or other visas are given priority. This is the main reason why you should apply for a German tourist visa as soon as possible.

How long can you stay in Germany with a Schengen Visa?

The longest you can stay in Germany with a Schengen tourist visa is three months, according to the 90/180 rule. However, it is up to the German embassy in your country to decide how many days you can stay in Germany and for which days. Therefore, please understand that there is a slight difference between visa validity and length of stay.

The validity of your visa is the first day you can enter the Schengen Area and the last day you can leave. While the duration of stay is the number of days, you can stay in the Schengen area for the duration of your visa. Therefore, the validity of your visa is always longer than the duration of your stay. Do not violate the validity of your visa or your duration of stay; otherwise, you may face a ban or deportation.

Can a German Schengen visa be converted into a residence permit?

A Schengen visa can only be converted into a residence permit if certain requirements are met while in Germany. For more information, please read “Converting a Schengen visa into a residence permit”.

Advice:

To apply for a German tourist visa, simply follow the steps listed below:

• First, remember to apply early. At least 3 weeks before your travel date.
• Locate the German embassy/consulate nearest to where you live. Depending on the embassy, ​​you may also be able to set up an appointment online.
• Fill out the application form accurately and honestly. Print two copies and sign both.
• Pay the visa fee and bring the payment confirmation with you.
• Make sure you have all the required documents before applying.
• Prepare for the interview by searching online for common interview questions. Also, make sure you arrive on time, not too late and not too early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to process a German Tourist Visa?

Short-stay visas to Germany take around ten days to process. However, when the embassy is processing many visa applications, tourist visas may take longer as business or other visas are given priority. This is the main reason why you should apply for a German tourist visa as soon as possible.

When should I apply for a German tourist visa?

You can apply for a Schengen visa as early as six months before your intended trip to Germany. Meanwhile, the latest you can do so is two weeks before your trip to Germany.

However, you should apply for a tourist visa at least 3 weeks before your travel date to avoid any delays in processing.