General information

National visas are issued for long-term stays for a particular purpose. They are usually issued for 90 days. After entering Germany, visa holders must apply for a residence permit as a general rule.

The visa section of the Consulate General in Hongkong is responsible for your application if your habitual residence is in Hongkong or Macao.
Applicants from other places (e.g. Shenzhen) need to apply at their competent visa section https://china.diplo.de/cn-zh.
They cannot apply in Hongkong.

You should start preparing your application as soon as you have plans to stay long-term in Germany. The entire visa application process can take several months.

Apply online

For a smooth visa process, you can apply online through the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office. After uploading the required documents, your application will be reviewed in advance to ensure it is complete. Any questions that arise can be clarified directly via the portal.

After the review is completed, you will receive a link to book an appointment. During the appointment, your identity will be verified, your biometric data (fingerprints), photograph, and visa fee will be collected.

If the desired visa category is not available in the Consular Services Portal, please either follow the instructions below under “Apply in paper form” or use one of the following work‑arounds:

• Exchange students — select the category “Students”.
• Applicants for national visas, including Working Holiday and research stays — select the category “Opportunity Card” and upload your own documents as a technical workaround.

Please note that Schengen visa applications cannot be submitted through the Consular Services Portal.

Checklist per visa category

1. Employment visa
2. Opportunity Card
3. Student visa
   (Opening a blocked bank account in Germany for students)
4. Exchange Student visa
5. Language course for preparation to study
6. Marriage visa
7. Family reunion visa
8. Language course visa
9. Research visa
10. Working Holiday visa
11. Self-employed freelancers visa
12. School attendance visa
13. Au Pair visa

• Important Information for visa applicants on data protection.

Apply in paper form

If you cannot apply online, you have the possibility to apply in paper form.

• Fill out the application form online on VIDEX.
  In any case, please print it, sign it and submit it along with the other documents. You can find the information on how to fill out the form online here.
• Please compile the documents you need to submit with your application according to the checklists above. If documents or supporting documents are missing, your application may be rejected. Photos must not have been altered by image editing programs.
• Please make an appointment to submit your application, when you have compiled all necessary documents.
  
  Online appointment booking system

In order to submit your application, please attend your appointment at the Consulate General in person. Please hand in the requested documents, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) and pay the fee. The Consulate General will ask you questions about your planned trip and take your photograph and fingerprints.

What happens during processing?

The Consulate General will review your application and make a decision on whether or not to grant you a visa. To this end, it will check whether your application meets the legal requirements. Depending on the purpose of your trip, it can take up to three months to check your application. The Consulate General will contact you as soon as it has made a decision on your application. We hope you will understand that we are not able to answer any questions on the status of your application during this processing period. After that, enquiries are only answered if they are made by the applicant, his/her legal representative or another person authorised in writing by the applicant.

Return of your passport

As soon as the Consulate General has decided on your application, you can collect your passport on Mondays or Fridays between 8.30 AM and 9.00 AM, Wednesday: 03:00 – 03:30 pm. You should collect your passport in person.
There are various reasons why your visa application may be rejected. The reasons will be stated in the letter notifying you that your application has been rejected. These reasons are explained in the FAQ.
You are welcome to submit a new application at any time with complete, informative and verifiable documentation.

Have a good trip! Information for visa holders

If all the information on your visa label is correct, you are free to travel. Please check the information on the label as soon as your passport is returned to you. You should let us know immediately if there are any mistakes so that we can issue you a new visa.
Your visa will state your full name and passport number and include your photo. It will also state the number of days you can stay and the period of validity, that is, the time by which you must have received your residence permit for Germany.
Therefore, please do not forget to register at the residents registration office shortly after you arrive in Germany and to make an appointment with the foreigners authority. Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area.