Do you want to invite friends or family to come and visit you in Germany?
For their trip, they will need a tourist visa, which is one of the short stays (less than 90 days) Schengen visas. There are two types of tourist visas. One is for general tourists and the other for family and friends who want to visit someone in Germany.
More information, application forms and requirements can be found on the German Embassy website.
The requirements are very clearly stated.
What is not always clear is how to supply the required documentation in special cases for example an older person who wants to visit and is not working and finds it difficult to get Medical/Travel insurance.
Duly completed application forms may be submitted six months prior to your intended travel date. Do not wait too long to apply, our suggestion is at the latest two weeks before the planned travel.
You must lodge your application for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you intend to visit.
To apply at the German Embassy, see their website for more information about a Family and Friends visit visa.
Currently, TLSContact is handling all type C (short-term) visa applications. They have offices in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Centurion, Durban and Gqeberha
This section is extremely important.
The following may be submitted to prove your willingness to South Africa.
✅ You can also expand on this in the invitation letter.
📌 If employed: A current letter of employment with an original signature
📌 If self-employed: Company registration document
📌 If a student: Proof of current school/university registration confirming exemption from lectures during the requested travel period (with an original signature). This also applies to school-going children, who will need a letter stating their exemption from class or confirmation that the trip falls within school holidays.
📌 If a medical doctor: A valid license to practice from HPSCA and a copy of the HPCSA card
📌 If in another employment situation: Current proof of occupation
If married or with minor children:
If single and without minor children:
ℹ️ Note: Proof of residence can include a utility bill, rental agreement, or a signed letter from the property owner, along with a copy of their ID.
Depending on the travel circumstances, the requirement is at least 45 euros per person per day (2024)
This can be proved by the visitor submitting their bank statements for the last three months or the host can sign a formal letter of obligation for the person they are inviting (Verpflichtungserklärung). There is no need to send the original to South Africa, a scanned or e-mailed copy is sufficient.
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
The invitation letter should include the following:
The following is a suggestion to add to the invitation letter:
If the invitation does not include accommodation at your home:
Proof of accommodation including the complete address for their entire stay in the Schengen area must be added.
Here is an Example Invitation letter as a suggestion. You can also find examples here:
A flight reservation(round trip) is required as part of the documents proving the purpose of travel.
According to TLSContact, you can submit a flight itinerary, and once the visa is granted buy the real tickets. This is a bit of a grey area, as the Embassy also want proof that the person will return to South Africa, and real flight tickets are added proof thereof. Also, see Schengenvisainfo
Try the following companies for insurance for older people:
Children will also need a passport and a visa to visit Germany. South African school-going children will need a letter from their school stating that they are exempt from attending classes or that the trip will take place during the school holidays.
Additional documents needed for children under the age of 18 for Visa application:
The rules for travelling with children travelling through South African Ports of Entry, accompanied and unaccompanied can be found on the Department of home affairs website.
– Here is a link to the Suggested Parental consent letter from the Department of Home Affairs. It does not need to be notarised.
Flying with Children Travelling with small kids can be an amazing experience but also quite a task especially when it involves long flights. One of the key aspects to consider while planning such trips is the sleep schedule of your children. A poorly planned flight routine can lead to a lot of stress, not just for the little ones, but also for the parents. With some thoughtful planning, you are sure to have a fantastic trip together. Comfort Comfort is key! Make sure your child is dressed in cosy clothes for the flight, and pack extra outfits if needed. Schedule Align flight
Visitors can be issued with a single, double or multiple entry visa. Tip – always select multiple entries on the application form.
The reason for their visit and any restrictions will be added to their visa. When you have family that visits you often they can apply for a long-term visa valid for one, three or five years depending on the applicant’s visa and travel history. The 90/180-day rule will still apply
More info can be found on the SchengenVisaInfo website.
A single-entry visa allows the holder to enter the Schengen Area once within the validity period stated on the visa sticker in their passport. After exiting the Schengen Area, the visa holder cannot re-enter, even if they have not used all the days permitted by the visa.
It’s important not to confuse a single-entry visa with restrictions on the number of countries you can visit. The “Valid for” section on your visa sticker indicates the countries you are allowed to visit, while the “Number of entries” section specifies how many times you can enter the Schengen Area during the visa’s validity.
A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter and exit the Schengen Area as many times as you wish, provided you comply with the 90/180 rule and the visa’s validity period. This means you cannot stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days within a 180-day period, and all entries and exits must occur within the visa’s validity dates.
Based on how frequently you travel to the Schengen zone, you may apply and obtain one of the following multiple-entry visa types:
To understand the specifics of your Schengen visa, check these key details on your visa sticker:
Type of Visa. There are three main Schengen visa categories:
The 90/180-day rule applies to visas and not residence permits and states that any foreign national who enters the Schengen zone (any country within the area) can stay for up to 90 days within any 180 days.
On the Schengen Visa Info website, there is a very good explanation of this rule as well as a calculator that you can use
If you’re in Germany on a Type C Schengen visa and find yourself in a bind—say due to illness, an accident, or travel disruption like a strike—you must act fast and by the book. Overstaying is serious business, even if the reason is out of your hands. Here’s what to do:
Be aware of possible fines for illegal downloads by visitors
Copyrights in Germany are governed by GEMA, a government-mandated collecting society and performance rights organization. GEMA: The Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte, or in English, the society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights. Germany has stringent copyright laws.Do not violate copyright laws by illegally downloading a film, music,
Your guests will have to take out travel insurance for their visa application. Something you can do to op that is take out Insurance for foreign guests here in Germany. It can cover damage to rental property liability insurance and medical treatment. It of course depends on the policy you choose. It offers you and your guests additional peace of mind.
Some providers offering Insurance for Guests:
According to the Federal Foreigner Office “The notification sent to the applicant by the mission abroad states not only that the visa application has been unsuccessful, but also gives the grounds on which it was rejected and information on the applicant’s right to appeal the decision.
If a visa application is rejected, the applicant has one month to appeal in writing (“remonstrate”) to the mission abroad. The mission abroad will then reconsider the application.”
A list of the most common reasons for rejecting a visa application can be found on the SchengenVisaInfo website
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