MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR TOURISTS
- visa application form
online form, depends on place of application, see on the Right
fill in advices: download here - original passport
must be valid for at least 6 months over at the time of application and must have a blank double page. For a multiple entry visa, the passport must still be valid for at least 6 months after expiration of the visa. - original biometric passport photo
must be identical to the photo uploaded in the application; in color, pure white background, no glasses -> see photograph requirements
The photos must meet these requirements!
in BERLIN must not be older than 6 months - list of travelled countries
in BERLIN and HAMBURG use this pattern
in FRANKFURT not required - data protection declaration
depending on city of application
form for Berlin | form for Hamburg | form for Frankfurt
- proof of entry and exit
e.g. flight confirmation, also for a second entry - hotel confirmation
for the whole stay
Important: names of every applicant must be entered in the confirmation
PRIVATE TRAVELS / VISITING RELATIVES (category S) OR FRIENDS (category L)
- letter of invitation
(instead of hotel confirmation)
of the person to be visited with copy of passport or identity card, if not invited by a Chinese citizen > copy of the residence permit or visa of the the non Chinese citizen (this must still be valid for at least 3 months when applying)
The invitation must contain the following information:
- relationship between the applicant and host (if the host is a relative, this must be proved by birth certificates, etc.)
- address and telephone number of the host
- declaration that the applicant will stay there during the trip
- current date and signature of the host
- letter of "motivation" (only in specific cases)
ATTENTION: the following additional forms are required for applicants from some occupational groups (e.g. religion, media (design, journalism), artists, foundations, etc.):
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NON-GERMAN CITIZENS additionally require a residence permit ("Aufenthaltsgenehmigung") for Germany, for EU CITIZENS a registration certificate ("Meldebescheinigung") is sufficient (these documents must not be older than 6 months).
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IN HAMBURG: FRENCH CITIZENS additionally require
- proof of entry and exit (flight booking), and
- proof of account balance of at least 200,00 € per travel day must be available
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For some FORMER CITIZENS (from East Asia, the former USSR, Turkey, North Africa and others) there are special requirements for the application (possibly longer processing times, additional documents, etc.).