How to Apply for a German Visa from Dubai?
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Introduction
The United Arab Emirates has signed a visa agreement with Germany. According to this treaty, Emiratis can enter Germany without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, knowing when to obtain a German visa from the UAE is important. Travellers from the UAE require a visa to visit Germany in the following situations.
UAE residents holding passports from other countries
UAE citizens who were previously denied entry to Germany or the Schengen area
Travellers who intend to stay beyond 90 days must apply for a long-term national visa
Types of Germany Visas
Schengen Visa: This visa allows foreign nationals to visit Germany and other countries in the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. This visa is ideal for tourism, family visits, medical treatment, and short business trips
Business Visa: This visa is specifically designed for travelers who make frequent trips to Germany for business meetings, events, and negotiations. Although the total duration of stay cannot exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, the applicants can avail of multiple-entry options for their long-term requirements
Event Visa: UAE residents who wish to visit Germany to participate in any cultural, sports, or religious event, or as part of a film crew must apply for this specific visa. This short-stay visa is required if you are not eligible for visa-free entry to Germany
Airport Transit Visa (Type A): This visa is only for airport layovers when foreign travelers need to change flights in Germany en route to another country outside the Schengen area
UAE residents who wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days can obtain any of the following visas:
Employment Visa: Individuals with a valid job offer in Germany must apply for an employment visa to engage in any long-term paid occupation
Internship/Training Visa: Germany offers internships to foreign nationals lasting up to 12 months. Individuals seeking short-term internships (up to 3 months) can apply for a short-stay visa. Long-stay internship/training visa is required for durations beyond 3 months
Freelancer Visa: Any person who intends to take up freelance work or set up a business in Germany can obtain this visa. It has a validity of six months or more based on the nature of the applicant’s work
Study Visa: This visa is for students from the UAE who wish to enroll in any educational institution in Germany for a study course longer than 3 months. The visa is valid for the duration of the course and can be extended based on the requirements
Family Reunion Visa: UAE residents who wish to join their close family members residing in Germany can apply for this visa. The validity of this visa is typically linked to the sponsor’s residence permit
Medical Visa: This visa permits foreigners to visit Germany for medical treatment. A Schengen medical visa is required for treatments lasting up to three months. However, you must obtain a National medical visa if the treatment extends beyond three months
Germany Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
A completed and signed visa application form. The online visa application form can be downloaded from the official German embassy website
Passport with a validity of at least three months from the date of leaving Germany. The passport should contain at least two blank pages and must be issued within the last ten years
A valid UAE residence permit with proof of residency in the UAE
Two photographs (not older than six months) complying with the Schengen visa photo guidelines
Detailed travel itinerary in Germany with proof of flight ticket reservation
Proof of accommodation in Germany – hotel room reservation, rental agreement, or an invitation letter from a local host
Bank statements for the past three months as proof of financial means to cover the expenses in Germany
Schengen travel health insurance with coverage of at least EUR 30,000 (approx. AED 120,000) to cover medical emergencies
A signed declaration of accuracy of information must be submitted along with the documents
Additional Documents
A valid work contract or a letter of employment (for applicants who are employed with a company)
Business license, bank statements, and income tax returns (for applicants in self-employment)
Proof of student status for student applicants
How to Apply for a German Visa from Dubai?
Select the right visa type based on your travel purpose and period of stay in Germany
Gather all the required documents as outlined in the previous section to support your visa application
Schedule an appointment with VFS Global, the authorized visa application center for Germany in the UAE. You can apply up to six months before your travel date and must apply at least 15 days before you start your trip
Attend the appointment on the scheduled date and time. Submit the visa application form with the supporting documents. The biometric data is taken for first-time Schengen visa applicants. Please attend the visa interview if you are asked to do the same
Pay the prescribed visa fee at the center
Generally, the Schengen visa applications take around two weeks to process. After processing, you will be notified by VFS Global to collect your passport along with the visa
Where to Apply for a German Visa in the UAE?
| Particulars | Address | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|
| VFS Global, Dubai | Joint Visa Application Center, Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, UAE | Residents of Dubai and the Northern Emirates |
| VFS Global, Abu Dhabi | The Mall, World Trade Center, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street, Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, UAE | Residents of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain |
How to Schedule a German Visa Appointment in Dubai?
It’s simple and easy to set up an appointment for a German visa through the VFS Global Visa Application Center. The procedure is as follows:
Visit the official website of VFS Global UAE and log in to your account. New users must create an account in the ‘Book an Appointment’ section
Enter the required information after logging in to your account. Please select Germany as your visiting country and the UAE as your residing country. Select the closest VFS Global Center
Choose the right visa category based on your purpose of visiting Germany. Click ‘Continue’
Enter the information related to your (personal) background and passport
As you proceed to the next page, you can select a convenient date on the calendar that is displayed
How Much Does a German Visa Cost?
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee for adults | EUR 90 (approx. AED 360) |
| Visa application fee for minor applicants between 6 to 12 years of age | EUR 45 (approx. AED 180) |
| Visa application fee for minor applicants aged below 6 years | Free |
| Service fee (payable to VFS Global) | AED 110 |
The Schengen visa is valid for short stays and permits foreign travelers to stay in Germany for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
Germany Job Seeker Visa: How to Apply?
A German job seeker visa allows foreign nationals to enter Germany and seek employment in the country. They can typically stay for up to six months to find employment and later apply for a work visa. Applicants with a valid job offer in Germany can directly apply for a work visa.
Here is a step-by-step procedure outlining the details of applying for a German Job Seeker Visa from the UAE.
Check whether you fulfil the eligibility criteria to apply for a job seeker visa in Germany. This may include age, academic qualifications, work experience, and vocational skills
Locate the place where you can submit your visa application. In the UAE, you can apply at any of the VFS Global Visa Application Centers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
Schedule an appointment at a convenient date and time to visit the visa application center
Gather all the required documents as prescribed by the German embassy for a job seeker visa
Pay the visa fee online using your credit card
Visit the visa application center on the scheduled date and time. Submit your application along with the requisite documents. You may also be asked to attend a visa interview
If the visa application is approved, you can enter Germany and start looking for a job. You must register your temporary address at the local registration office within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. You must find a job within the validity period of the job seeker visa and apply for a work visa to start working in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions on Germany Visa from Dubai
Yes. Travel insurance is one of the mandatory requirements to apply for a Schengen visa. Your German visa application typically gets rejected if you do not have travel insurance.
UAE nationals can enter Germany without a visa and stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, other UAE residents (holding passports from other countries) may be required to obtain a prior visa based on their nationality.
An individual who is a citizen of a country requiring a visa to enter Germany and residing in the UAE for at least 3 months can apply for a German visa.
The average processing time for a German visa in the UAE is around 14 days. However, the processing may get delayed due to a surge in applications and additional documentation requirements.
The visa fee can either be paid in cash or through a credit card. The visa fee must be paid in AED only and is non-refundable.
A minimum bank balance of EUR 45 or approximately AED 180 is required for every day of your stay in Germany. You can submit this evidence through bank statements or proof of sponsorship.
Though it is not a prerequisite, the German embassies in the UAE may ask the applicants to attend a visa interview. So it is recommended that you prepare for some of the common questions such as your travel purpose, duration of stay, and financial means to cover your expenses in Germany.
The procedure to check the status of your German visa application is as follows:
- Visit the website of VFS Global, the official partner of the German embassy in the UAE
- Navigate to the ‘Track Your Application’ section on the homepage
- Enter the application reference number and your date of birth
- Enter the captcha code as shown and click ‘Submit’. The status of your visa application is displayed on the page
Disclaimer: The nations, visa costs, and other information presented here are derived from a variety of sources. This is not a recommendation or promotion from Prominent Insurance Brokers. Before purchasing your tickets or requesting a visa, please confirm the same.