Visa Procedures for South African Citizens eyeing a trip to Germany
If you’re a South African passport holder planning a trip to Germany, it is pertinent to understand the German visa necessities. Your visa type relies on the nature and duration of your stay in Germany. A Schengen visa is typically required for short-term stays, or a national visa for longer periods stretching beyond 90 days.
Who requires a German visa?
Unless you are a citizen of one of the 62 countries exempted from visa, South African tourists generally need a Schengen visa for a short stay. This visa permits entry to not just Germany, but also to the other 27 Schengen nations. It allows tourists to stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
German Visa variants
Type of Visa Visa Details Germany Airport Transit visa For travelers transiting via a German airport. Germany Schengen visa For visits to friends and family, tourism, medical procedures, official visits, cultural and sports events. Germany Business visa For attending business meetings and other related activities. Germany Student Visa For prospective students or those accepted into a German university. Germany Language Course Visa For those needing to take a language course before full admission to university. Germany Student Internship Visa For students joining internships or training programs in Germany extending past 90 days. Germany Researcher visa For international researchers/scholars involved in scientific events. Germany Employment Visa For persons with confirmed job offers in Germany. Germany Job Seeker Visa For individuals searching for job opportunities without an offer. Germany Freelancer Visa For foreign freelancers working in various sectors. Germany Family Reunion Visa For family members of settled individuals in Germany. Medical Treatment Visa For international patients seeking medical help in Germany. Long-term stays exceeding 90 days
If your stay in Germany goes beyond 90 days and you’re not from a visa-exempt nation, you’ll require a German long-stay visa. These long-stay visas, formally called National visas, are issued for stays beyond 90 days and serve different objectives from short-stay visas. Following your arrival, depending on your visa’s purpose, you will need to obtain a German residence permit. The residence permits offered are Student, Employment, Family Reunion, EU Blue Card, EU Residence, Humanitarian, and Permanent Residence permits.
Application centers for German visas in South Africa
The official processing company, authorised by the German Embassy in South Africa, is the TLS Contact Visa Application Centre. You must submit your visa application, in person, at this center. Biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) will be captured and stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) for future Schengen Zone visa applications for five years.
Cities that house application centers are:
- Bloemfontein
- Centurion
- Cape Town
- Durban
- Port Elizabeth
Documents needed for a German visa
You need to compile two sets of the succeeding documents to apply for a German visa in South Africa:
- Filled application form
- Declaration of accuracy of information
Additional documents may be needed based on your employment status. You should consult with the embassy if you need more specifics about the same.
Best time to apply for a German visa
You should apply well in advance for your German visa, as the processing time can sometimes stretch beyond 14 days. Ideally, it is recommended that you apply at least three months prior to your planned travel date. Although you can apply six months ahead of your expected journey, ensure it’s not any closer than 15 days before your trip.
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