What types of visa are there?
To stay in Germany, nationals of certain countries need a visa, which has to be applied for before entry. A visa is a permission allowing a person to remain in a country for a particular period. We are glad to advise you on every question and formality surrounding visas. Talk to us. We are here for you.
It is important to note that there can also be exceptions to the visa requirements, depending on the circumstances of the individual case. People should contact the German embassy or the German consulate in their country for precise information and requirements.
The requirements for a visa depend on the nationality of the person wishing to enter and on the kind of stay planned in Germany. There are generally three types of visa relevant to staying in Germany:
Short-stay visa
Short-stay visa (Schengen visa): a short-stay visa allows a foreign national to remain in Germany for a period of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It covers tourism and business as well as visits to friends and family. Nationals of many countries, including the USA, Canada and Australia, do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days if they wish to be in Germany as tourists. The exact requirements for a Schengen visa can vary from country to country.
Long-stay visa
Long-stay visa: a long-stay visa allows a foreign national to remain in Germany for a period of more than 90 days. It is intended for people who wish to come to Germany to study or work, or for family reasons, for example. The requirements for a long-stay visa depend on the reason for the stay. For study, for instance, admission to a German higher education institution is required, while for work an employment contract is needed.
Immigration visa
Immigration visa: an immigration visa is intended for people who wish to live in Germany permanently. The requirements for an immigration visa depend on the type of immigration, for example spouse reunification, family reunification or employment.
Visa for qualified skilled workers
The “visa for qualified skilled workers” is a special visa category for employees who hold a recognised professional qualification and wish to take up employment in Germany. This visa allows a residence permit of up to four years.
To be eligible for the visa for qualified skilled workers, certain conditions have to be met. First, you must have completed qualified vocational training or a qualified course of study in a recognised profession. Second, you must be able to show an employment contract with a German employer that is valid at least for the duration of the visa and offers an appropriate salary. The exact conditions can differ from case to case and should be examined carefully before applying.
The visa for qualified skilled workers is suitable for various occupational groups, nurses among them. With this visa, nurses from abroad can work and live in Germany without having to concern themselves with a work permit or with extending their residence status. This can be particularly attractive for nurses, since Germany has a shortage of skilled workers in nursing and is therefore recruiting more foreign professionals.
The legal basis for the “visa for qualified skilled workers” is the Residence Act (AufenthG) in Germany. § 18c of the Residence Act governs the visa category “residence for employment as a qualified skilled worker”.
It sets out the conditions and requirements for granting such a visa. The provisions of the Residence Act are binding and must be observed when applying and when carrying out the procedure. Responsibility for issuing visas lies with the German missions abroad (embassies and consulates, for example), while the immigration offices in Germany are responsible for issuing residence titles.