Long Term visas are seen as visits longer than 90 days and will typically be for work or study visits. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa to enter Germany.
Once you are in Germany you will need to apply for your residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde as soon as possible.
You will always apply for your first long-stay German Visa at the German Embassy in South Africa.
This might also apply when you change your type of visa e.g from study to work.
The German Embassy in South Africa has offices in Cape Town and Pretoria.
From now on, you will have the opportunity to apply for the following types of visa online via the Consular Service Portal of the Federal Foreign Office.
Appointments for national visas can be booked online (free of charge). Residents of the following countries/provinces must submit their visa application to the indicated mission:
- Online appointments Embassy Pretoria: Free State, Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Lesotho, Swaziland
- Online appointments Consulate General Cape Town: Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape.
To sponsor someone’s visit for example your adult child who wants to study in Germany and does not qualify for the financial requirements, you need to apply for a Verpflichtungserklärung
Verpflichtungserklärung – Sponsoring someone’s visit
Verpflichtungserklärung – Sponsoring someone’s visit One of the key requirements for both short-term and long-term (National) Schengen visas is proof of financial means. If you’re inviting someone to visit you, like your parents or other family members, and they’re unable to show they can support themselves financially during their stay, you’ll need to provide a legalised letter of obligation, known in German as a “Verpflichtungserklärung.” This document shows that you’re
List of long term visas
- As rules and regulations can change on a regular basis, we provide the links to the German Embassy in South Africa. Where possible also links to additional information. We are not immigration consultants and can only refer you to the official pages.
- Blue Card (minimum salary and university degree). You can find additional information on Make it in Germany. You can also download this handy flyer about an EU Blue Card
- Employment Visa – for qualified professionals. Subcategories are :
- Skilled worker holding a University degree
- IT specialist with professional experience
- Research stay
- Skilled worker with vocational training qualification – As a skilled worker with vocational training qualification, you can be issued a residence permit to engage in skilled employment that your qualification enables you to perform. Have a look at the current professions in demand. Please note that some university degrees from foreign universities are classified as vocational training qualifications in Germany.
- Work in case of partial recognition of qualification – If your vocational training has not been fully recognised by the competent German agency, you can apply for a visa to complete the necessary training in Germany and at the same time start to work. After completion and full recognition of your training, you can apply for permanent residence in Germany.
- Intra-corporate transfer (ICT). Flyer from BAMF.
- Study Visa – General, Doctorate and German language studies. See also our page about studying German in Germany
- Au Pair Visa
- Jobseeker, vocational training or voluntary service visa
- Family reunification – Spouse – see also our page about this topic
- Family reunification – Parent to a minor German child
- Family reunification – Child to a foreign parent (In case a foreign child intends to move to a foreign parent living permanently in Germany)
Family Reunification Visa – Your stories
Family Reunification Visa – Your stories These are shared experiences by people who recently went through a Family Reunification Visa application process. You can share yours with us via
Family Reunification Visa
Family Reunification Visa Family reunification in Germany allows close family members to join their relatives living in Germany—whether those relatives are German citizens or third-country nationals with valid residence
Legal basis
Resources on the web
- What type of visa do I need? – Make it in Germany
- Federal Foreign Office / Auswärtiges Amt
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees / Bundesamt für Migration und Flugtlinge
- Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territor from the Bundesministerium der Justiz.
- Visa Regulations
Terminology
| Permanent Residence Permit | Die Nierderlassungserlaubnis |
| Residence Permit | Der Aufenhalstitel |
| Visa | Das Visum |
| Blue Card | Die Blaue Karte |
Related content
Moving to Germany
Moving to a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The thought of starting a new chapter in your life can bring a sense of thrill, while the idea of going through the process of moving can be daunting. Countless things need to be taken into consideration, and it can be tough to know where to start. Where will you find a suitable place to live? Should you buy or rent? What will be the cost of living? What about your belongings? What should you keep and what should you dispose of? How do
Checklist before you travel to Germany
Before embarking on your journey to Germany, it is crucial to be aware of all the administrative tasks that will require your attention. While this list is not solely focused on moving tasks, it serves as a comprehensive guide to all the essential administrative factors that need to be tended to before boarding the plane. By taking care of administrative aspects upfront, you can ensure a smoother transition to your new home in Germany without any hassle. It is highly recommended to go through this list carefully to avoid any last-minute chaos and to give yourself ample time to
Permanent Residence
A permanent residence in Germany is called a Niederlassungserlaubnis and may be granted as a Settlement permit or Permanent EC residence permit. Very important!! Your residence card has an expiration date that corresponds to your passport. Your residence card is linked to your passport number see the PASS field. See the remarks section on the card as well as nr. 7 below. Germany has a “Passpflicht” law. Photo Symbol for the electronic CHIP Surname and Names Your Aufenthalts number Your Nationality /”Staatsangehörigkeit” your date of birth The valid date for the Card, not your residence. This is usually linked to the validity of
Good to know
Good to know Your Visas are approved, your paperwork is finalised and you are ready to start planning the big move. This can be a very stressful time, and we hope the information we provide here helps to ease the process. Cost of living In general, properties are more expensive in Germany than in South Africa, also when renting. Food and clothing prices depend a lot on where you are buying. Medical insurance is also more expensive in Germany,The most, expensive cities in Germany with regard to rent are Stuttgart, Hamburg and MunichHere are some cost-of-living comparative sites to
Finding a place to stay
Finding a place to rent Finding a place to rent is almost like doing a job interview. You have to “advertise” yourself and you will have to go for interviews. The best is to go prepared! Documents needed You will need at least the following documents: A Schufa report (credit report), proof of employment, bank statements and a motivation letter if you like. In this you introduce yourself .. how big the family is, do you have pets, do you have parties every Wednesday, do you smoke, where you work, etc. A tip from others is to add proof
Learning German
Master the Language. Embrace the Culture. Embarking on the journey to learn German can be approached in various ways to suit your lifestyle and goals. Online platforms offer the convenience of flexible language courses, while mobile apps make learning easy wherever you are. For a more interactive experience, attending in-person classes can provide practical lessons and opportunities to practice with others. European Language Framework In Germany, the European Language Framework (CEFR) is widely used to assess language proficiency. This framework helps learners understand their current skill level, identify areas for improvement, and work towards internationally recognized certifications. Whether you’re
You must be logged in to post a comment.