Germany Visa Policy
Germany is part of the Schengen Agreement that allows visa-free travel amongst the Schengen member countries. Travel to Germany is extremely easy for residents of many countries around the world, and the country offers many great cities and destinations for visitors to see. With popular events such as Oktoberfest drawing crowds from around the world each year, the number of visitors to this European country only continues to increase year after year. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about visiting Germany and visa requirements for this country.
Steps if a Visa is Needed
Contact Embassy
Look up the embassy that falls in your jurisdiction.
Visit embassy
Go to embassy or mission with application details.
Receive visa
Once visa is received, keep it safe with travel documents.
Germany Entry Policy
ETIAS Visa Waiver
The ETIAS system is a new system that will be implemented in 2022 or 2023. This will require all eligible Schengen member travelers to register their trip with this new online system. One of the primary reasons for this change to the current process is to bring more security for both travelers and locals in Germany. It will help to minimize threats associated with traveling to any of the Schengen Area countries. Anyone who doesn't need a visa to enter Europe will be expected to apply for the ETIAS visa waiver. This visa waiver is designed for a short-term stay of up to 90 days. There are currently 60 countries that will need to apply for this visa waiver, although hopefully, that will only increase in the future.
Who Requires a Visa for Germany?
All other countries that don't fall under the Schengen group will require a visa to enter Germany for tourism or business purposes. In order to obtain your visa for Germany, you'll need to apply for the visa at your local embassy. After your application, you'll then need to attend an interview for your visa application to be approved. Of course, this may be a lengthy process, so you'll need to allow good time to complete your application and receive your approved visa before boarding your flight to Germany.
What Kinds of German Visas Are Available?
For travelers that need a visa to travel to Germany, there are a variety of visas to choose from. Some of the most popular options include tourist visas and studying and language learning visas. It will really depend on the purpose of your visit to Germany as to which visa you apply for, but there are many different categories to choose from. The Schengen visa will allow you to travel amongst Schengen member states without having to get a different visa for each country you are planning to visit. There are about 27 different member states, so planning a trip to multiple destinations is a simple and hassle-free process.
Germany is an exciting destination for travelers from around the world, and for many visitors, the entry process is relatively straightforward. Keep an eye out for the developments surrounding the ETIAS visa waiver, as this will change the current entry process slightly. With so much culture and history to explore, Germany is one of the top European destinations to visit, and one we highly recommend planning a trip to in the upcoming years.