Obtain a Long Stay Visa for Germany

Non-EU citizens who move to Germany can apply for various types of visas. One of them is the German long stay visa which has a validity period of 3 months. However, it can also be issued for longer stays, usually of up to 12 months or even more, in specific circumstances.

Why should you obtain this visa? Find out the answer from our immigration lawyers in Germany who can also help you apply for it.

Reasons for which long stay visas are issued in Germany

Also known as the national D visa, this type of permit is available for non-EU citizens coming to Germany for the first time for one of the following reasons:

• study;
• business;
• employment;
• job search;
• family visits/reunion;
• various activities, such as research and development.

Applying for a long stay visa for Germany implies gathering a few documents, in accordance with the reason for entering the country. Our German immigration lawyers can review your application file and guide you from there.

Requirements to obtain a national D visa in Germany

Perhaps the most important thing to respect when applying for long stay visa in Germany is the motive for relocation. This means that the documents you need to prepare must align with the reason you immigrate to Germany. Specifically:

• if you travel here to study, you will need a letter of enrollment with the school in which you will study;
• if you relocate to Germany for employment, you need the work contract;
• if you come to Germany as a freelancer, you need proof of your qualifications.

Apart from these, you will need a valid passport and proof of accommodation, among others. The German long stay visa issued to you will have a different validity based on the reason for immigration. For example, in the case of students, it can be issued for a period of maximum 2 years. This is also one of the main advantages of this visa: it is customized to the duration of the applicant’s stay.

Feel free to ask our German immigration lawyers about the documents you need to prepare when filing for it.

Where do you apply for a long stay visa in Germany?

Applications are accepted by German embassies and consulates all over the world. After finding the nearest one on the list here, you can get in touch with our local law firm for support in filing for the visa.

If you need assistance with your application, you can rely on our English-speaking lawyers who can guide you on the documents you need to prepare.

Documents required to apply for a national D visa for Germany

Here are the documents you need to gather when filing for a German long stay visa:

• the valid passport (the minimum validity period is 6 months);
• the visa application form;
• recent photographs;
• bank statement indicating sufficient funds to sustain your stay in Germany;
• health insurance valid in Germany.

Apart from these, we remind you about the documents proving the reason for your immigration to Germany.

Specific aspects to consider when applying for a long stay visa

Here are some important facts about the long stay visa in Germany:

• it is issued at the discretion of the German migration authority;
• it can be used to legally live here before obtaining a German residence permit;
• only in the case of relocation by employment, it will be issued together with a work permit.

The D visa is one of the main documents non-EU citizens use to relocate to Germany.

Foreigners living in Germany

According to the Federal Statistics Office in Germany, at the end of 2023:

• the total foreign population of Germany was 13,895,865 inhabitants, out of which 12,228,930 people were born abroad;
• 5,113,875 inhabitants came from EU states;
• 755,170 people had African origins, 348,075 came from American continents;
• 3,066,670 citizens had Asian origins.

Contact us if you want to apply for a long stay visa for Germany and need assistance.