We only post links here, as these pages are maintained by the relevant Authorities/Institutions.
German Missions in South Africa
You will always apply for your first Visa in South Africa.
This might also apply when you change your type of visa e.g from study to work.
You need to apply at the German Mission in South Africa
Depending on the purpose and duration of your stay in Germany you can either apply for a Schengen visa for short term stays or a National visa for long term stays (> 90 days).
Short Stay (Schengen Visa)
These are for a short business trip or tourist activities.
More information on the German mission’s website
Long Stay (National Visa)
The national visa allows the holder to enter Germany for a long term stay with a specific purpose
Usually the visa will be issued for 90 days. After entering you have to apply at the competent Aliens Authority in Germany for the subsequent residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel).
Types of Long Stay visas:
- Blue Card (University degree and minimum salary)
- Employment Visa (Qualified Professionals)
- Study Visa at a University, for a doctorate or a language course. See our page about Study German language in Germany
- Au Pair Visa
- Job seeker (skilled worker), vocational training and voluntary service visa.
- Family reunifications Visa (Spouse, Parent to a minor German child and Child to a foreign parent )
More information on the German mission’s website
More Information on Visas
- 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.
More Information on Residence Permits
There are more than one type of Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in Germany.
The two main categories are:
- Temporary – may be granted in the form of a visa or EU Blue Card.
- Permanent – may be granted in the form of a Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or Permanent EC residence permit.
You can find information here:
- How to Germany – Residence Permits
- Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge
- Make it in Germany – Settlement Permits
- Blue Card
Useful Terms
| Permanent Residence Permit | Die Nierderlassungserlaubnis |
| Residence Permit | Der Aufenhalstitel |
| Visa | Das Visum |
| Blue Card | Die Blaue Karte |