Traveling To Bavaria? Visa Acceptance Simplified

If you're planning a trip to Bavaria, it's important to understand the visa requirements for entry. Whether or not you need a visa will depend on several factors, including your nationality, the length of your stay, and the purpose of your visit. Bavarian universities, for instance, can provide guidance on visas and residence permits for doctoral candidates, postdocs, and professors. For short-term stays of up to 90 days, a Schengen visa is typically required, while longer stays necessitate a national visa. Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can enter without a visa, while those from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, and a few other countries can enter visa-free but will need a residence permit for stays exceeding 90 days or if they plan to work. Citizens of third countries outside these regions will likely need a visa, and it's recommended to start the visa process several months in advance. Understanding the specific requirements for your situation is essential, and resources like the Federal Foreign Office website can provide detailed information on visa regulations for different countries.

Visa requirements for EU/EEA/Swiss/Norwegian/Icelandic nationals

If you are an EU/EEA national or a citizen of Switzerland, Norway, or Iceland, you do not need a visa to enter Bavaria, Germany. Like all residents of Germany, you simply need to register with the local authorities when you arrive.

However, if you are planning to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, or if you are going to be employed there, you will need to obtain a residence permit. This also applies to researchers and visiting scholars with a contract. You can apply for a residence permit after your arrival in Germany, but it is recommended to factor in the processing time for your permit when planning your move. To speed up the process, you can discuss your situation with the Welcome Center at your future university or research institution before your departure.

If you are an EU/EEA national or a citizen of Switzerland, Norway, or Iceland, and you are already residing in another EU/EEA country, you can take advantage of the Schengen Agreement. This agreement allows you to travel to Bavaria, Germany, and other Schengen countries for short stays of up to 90 days without a visa. To benefit from this agreement, make sure your passport is valid for at least three months after your planned date of departure from Germany.

Visa requirements for non-EU international students

Bavaria is a state in Germany, and as such, it follows the same visa requirements as the rest of the country.

When planning your move to Bavaria, your future university will be able to advise you on visas and residence permits. All Bavarian universities have Welcome Centres with experienced staff to assist you with visa queries and ensure the process is as smooth as possible.

If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you will likely need a visa to enter Germany. The type of visa you need will depend on the length of your stay and whether you are coming as a student, researcher, employee, or a combination of these.

For stays of up to 90 days, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa, which allows you to remain in Bavaria or any other Schengen area country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The processing fee for a Schengen visa is typically EUR 90.

If you plan to stay in Bavaria for longer than 90 days, or if you intend to be employed during your time there, you will need to apply for a residence permit. The residence permit will be valid for a limited period, and you will need to extend it if you decide to settle in Germany. After graduating, international students who are not EU or EEA citizens can extend their stay in Germany for up to 18 months to find a job.

To obtain the correct visa for your stay, you should check with the German diplomatic mission in your country, who can advise on the type of visa required and the steps to obtain it. It is recommended to start this process several months in advance to ensure your visa arrives on time.

Additional Requirements:

When submitting your visa application, you will need to provide various documents, including proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and finance your return trip. There is no fixed daily rate, but you must demonstrate that you have enough funding for the type and length of your stay.

You are also advised to take out health insurance before your trip that covers return transport to your home country. Students at German universities are required to be registered with a health insurance company.

Additionally, you will need to have a valid passport with at least six months' validity remaining from the date of departure from Germany.

Fees and Processing Times:

The standard fee for a national visa for longer stays is EUR 75. However, visa fees may be reduced or waived in certain cases, such as for foreign nationals receiving scholarships during their stay in Germany or their spouses and minor children.

Processing times for visa applications can vary. Missions typically require up to 14 working days to decide on a Schengen visa application. Applications for visas entitling the holder to a longer stay may take several months, depending on the purpose of the stay.

Other Considerations:

If you are planning to study at a Bavarian university, you should be aware that most full-time degree programmes require a good command of the German language. There are language schools, including Goethe Institutes, that offer German courses both in Germany and abroad.

Additionally, if you do not have a German university entrance qualification, your foreign school leaving or degree certificates must be approved by your chosen university in Bavaria.

Further Information:

For detailed information on visa requirements and the application process, you can refer to the websites of the Federal Foreign Office and the respective German mission responsible for your country.

Visa fee and application process

The visa application procedure and fees vary depending on the purpose and length of your stay in Bavaria. If you are a citizen of a country in the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to enter Germany. You simply need to register with the local authorities upon your arrival.

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the UK, and the US can enter Germany without a visa but need a residence permit if they plan to stay longer than 90 days or intend to work. This residence permit can be applied for after arriving in Germany.

Citizens of other countries, or "third-country nationals," will likely need a visa to enter Germany. The type of visa required depends on the purpose and duration of the visit. For stays of up to 90 days, a Schengen visa is usually required, while for longer stays, a national visa is necessary. The processing fee for a Schengen visa is typically 90 EUR, and the fee for a national visa is 75 EUR. However, certain categories of applicants, such as students, researchers, and spouses of German or EU/EEA citizens, may be exempt from visa fees or eligible for reduced fees.

To apply for a visa, individuals must submit their application, along with the necessary documents, in person at the German mission (embassy or consulate-general) responsible for their place of residence. It is recommended to check the website of the respective mission in advance to understand the specific visa requirements and procedures. The application process can take up to 14 working days for a Schengen visa and several months for visas permitting longer stays.

Bavarian universities also have Welcome Centers that provide guidance and assistance to doctoral candidates, postdocs, and professors regarding visas and residence permits. They help individuals navigate the different types of visas and requirements, ensuring a smooth transition to life in Bavaria.

Visa requirements for US citizens

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany as a tourist. However, if you are planning to stay in Bavaria, or anywhere else in Germany, for more than 90 days, or if you are going to be employed, you will need to apply for a residence permit. This is also the case for visiting scholars with a contract.

You can apply for a residence permit after your arrival in Germany, but you should factor in the time it takes to process your permit when planning the start date of your employment. To speed up the process, you can discuss your options with the Welcome Center at your university before your departure.

If you are a doctoral candidate, a postdoc, or a professor, your future university can help you with questions about visas and residence. All Bavarian universities have Welcome Centers or similar service units with experienced staff ready to assist you with these matters.

If you are already in the EU and have a valid residence permit for researchers, you can come to Bavaria for a research stay of up to six months within a 360-day period, which can be extended. However, your Bavarian host institution must get in touch with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees to make sure they are aware of your arrival. It is advised to apply for your stay at least 30 days in advance.

When you arrive in Bavaria, you will likely need to obtain a residence permit. If you have applied for a visa before, this process is relatively straightforward. If you are allowed to arrive in Germany without a visa but are obliged to apply for a residence permit, you should contact your Welcome Center once you know where you will be pursuing your research. They can advise you on the steps you need to take before your departure and after your arrival. Residence permits are issued by the Foreigners Office (Ausländeramt) in your area.

Visa requirements for spouses of German citizens

Bavaria is a state in Germany that accepts the same visas as the rest of the country. In general, third-country nationals require a visa to enter Germany. However, there are some exemptions for citizens of certain countries, including those in the European Union and the Schengen area.

Now, here is some detailed information about visa requirements for spouses of German citizens:

If you are an EU national and want to live in Germany with your German spouse, you do not need a visa. You only need to register at the local German registration office (*Einwohnermeldeamt*).

However, if you are not an EU national and want to live in Germany with your German spouse, you must apply for a visa for family reunification. This is also known as a subsequent immigration of spouses visa. You will need to provide an authenticated marriage certificate and your spouse's German passport. The German mission will forward your application to the foreigners' authority in the place where you plan to live in Germany. The final residence permit will be issued once you arrive in Germany.

The process of family reunification in Germany can be complex, and it is important to have the right documentation. It is recommended to work with experienced professionals in this field.

In addition to the standard visa requirements, you may also need to provide proof of German language skills at least at level A1. If you are bringing children, you must also provide proof of their nationality and your right of care and custody as a parent. All documents must be in German, English, or translated into German by a recognised translator.

The application procedure for a long-term family reunion visa is similar to other German visa application procedures. You will need to gather the necessary documents, including proof of financial means and sufficient living space for yourself and your spouse. You can then schedule an interview at the German mission in your country and pay the visa fee, which is typically 75 euros for adults and 37.50 euros for children under 18.

The processing time for a German family reunion visa can vary from several days to several months, depending on the number of applications received by the German mission in your home country.

Frequently asked questions