What passes through your mind when you think of Germany? A strong-dynamic, economy, innovative business ideas, every kind of support and funding, a diverse society, etc. Germany is a golden place to expand your business. If you are considering traveling to Germany for business, you might need a Germany Business Visa.
This article will explain who needs and does not need a Business Visa for Germany, requirements, application, fees, validity, FAQs, and more.
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ToggleWhat is Germany Business Visa?
A Germany Business visa falls under the short-stay visa category. So you can only stay in Germany for a limited time. Applicants may only stay for up to 90 days. The time limits on your visa get mentioned on your visa. It is for people who want to:
- Sign business contracts.
- Take part in meetings, exhibitions,
- Visit companies or industries
- Etc.
Do You Need a Germany Business Visa?
Your need for a business visa depends on your nationality. As we mentioned above, it is a short-stay visa. So you can only stay in Germany for a limited time. It is up to 90 days.
Citizens of a few countries are free of German short-stay visas. It means they can enter Germany with only their passport, such as:
- The EU
- EEA
- Schengen Area
- Etc.
Providing that you are a national or citizen of one of these countries, you do not need a business visa. If you are not in one of the short-stay visa-free countries, you have to apply for a German business visa.
Germany Business Visa Requirements
There are a few requirements for all types of German visas. The Germany Business Visa is no exception. You have to prepare all the requirements to be eligible.
The required documents for a Germany Business Visa include:
A. The application form
Complete it with the right and honest answers. The information on the application must be identical to your documents. Print the form twice.
B. Passport
With one blank page, at least. The passport’s validity must be at least three months over your stay in Germany.
C. Two photos
It just got taken in the latest three months. It must also meet the strict German visa photo standards.
D. Declaration of Accuracy of Information
It is a letter to German officials. You state the provided information on the application is correct.
E. Flight Itinerary
It includes tickets for any type of transport you are going to travel to Germany.
F. A copy of your passport’s data page
The copy must be in A4 size.
G. German Travel Health Insurance
It will prove you have bought health insurance. Not only Germany, but it has to cover all Schengen area, it must cover your costs for at least 30,000 Euros in case of:
- accident
- illness
- repatriation
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H. Proof of accommodation in Germany
It could be:
- Rental agreement
- Staying with a friend or family
- A hotel reservation. You have to provide its:
- address
- phone number
I. Your host’s invitation letter
It must prove they will cover you during your stay in Germany.
J. Proof of civil status
It includes:
- Your marriage certificate
- Children’s birth certificate
- death certificate of spouse (if applicable)
Requirements based on your job status
Employed
- Payslips for the past three months
- Employment contract.
- Bank statement of the latest six months.
- Permission leave from your employer.
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form /Certificate of Income Tax
Self-employed
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement
- ITR (Income Tax Return)
- Certificate of Incorporation of the company
- Providing that you will be staying for more than one month, a detailed schedule of your business meetings.
- Company cover letter. It must contain:
- your position in the company
- the duration of your service
- the dates and purpose of your trip
- Who will cover your expenses?
- Invitation letter. It is from the German businessperson who invited you. The letter must be in German or English. It must include:
- The invitee details
- The dates of the trip
- The purpose of the trip in details
- Schedule the business meetings/training in detail.
Keep in mind to provide copies of these documents. The embassy might ask you for more documents if they find it necessary.
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Application Process for Germany Business Visa
The application process for a German business visa is as follows:
1. Do you need a visa or not
Before you begin the application, check whether you need a visa or not. As we explained above, a few countries are free of German business visas. Such countries can enter the country with a passport. See whether you are one of them or not.
2. Check eligibility criteria
When you know you need a visa, check the eligibility field. You might not be eligible for a business visa. If you are not, the application will get denied.
3. Application form
The first thing to accomplish is the application form. You can download it from the VIDEX website or the German embassy in your home country. Complete everything with caution. The Info you put must be the same as your documents. Once completed, print, date, and sign it. Keep it as you have to submit them to the German authorities.
3. Gather requirements
Collect all the supporting documents for the German business visa. We covered them in the section above. Be careful that everything is complete.
4. Schedule a visa appointment
Get an appointment with the German embassy or consulate in your home country. You could do it by phone call or through their website.
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5. Visa appointment
Get to the embassy when the time for the appointment comes. Do not forget to bring the requirements. Submit them to the authorities.
6. Pay the fees
Pay the visa fee during the appointment. The fee is necessary for application processing. If you do not pay, the officials will not work on your application. So you should bring enough money for that.
7. Interview
Sometimes, you might have to pass an interview. The German officials will ask you questions about yourself and the purpose of your visit to Germany. You should be honest and give true answers.
8. Wait for the processing
When you complete everything with the appointment, wait for processing. The processing time depends on different factors. When the visa gets approved, the officials will send it to your address. Providing that it gets denied, they will notify you why.
Germany Business Visa Fee
The fee for a Germany Business Visa is €80. You have to pay for it so your application gets processed. You can pay the fee in your local currency at the exchange rate the embassy approves.
Please remember that if your visa gets rejected, you won’t get your money reimbursed.
The Processing Time of Germany Business Visa to Germany
The application process often takes 10-15 working. So, it is wise to submit your documents at least three weeks before your trip. The processing might take more:
- If the embassy is busy
- Because of your special case
- Your documents are not complete
- You have applied during the peak visiting season
- Etc.
How Long Is the Germany Business Visa Valid For?
It depends on the embassy that issues a business visa. The German officials will issue a valid business visa for the time they think you can complete your work. A business visa might be:
Single entry –It only allows you to enter Germany for one time and spend the stated days on your visa.
Multiple entries – It allows you to enter Germany several times. Please remember not to violate the 90-days per 6 months rule. When you want to travel to Germany, count the days you have been in the Schengen area. It mustn’t be more than 90 days in the last 180 days.
However, German officials give you enough time to complete your job.
Let’s sum up…
In this blog, we explained all the general information about Germany’s Business Visa.
If you need a Germany Business visa, the required documents, the application process, the feeds, etc., got explained.
You can have access to all German visa information in the world here.
To discover the visa that suits your purpose, visit the menu of the site. We have provided all types of German visas at the left sidebar.
Check the homepage to find out more about other countries’ visas.
If you have knowledge about visas, please write it down in the comment section. Your comments let applicants avoid mistakes and choose better. They are a great help for visa applicants.
- Published by
- Support
- August 25, 2020
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