Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Schengen Area?

  The Schengen Area is a group of 29 countries that have abolished internal border controls to allow for passport-free movement across their territories.

  • Currently, 25 European Union (EU) Member States enforce the Schengen Convention, including:
  • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
  • Additionally, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland enforce the Schengen Convention, though they are not members of the European Union.
  • The EU Member States that are still outside the Schengen Area include Ireland and Cyprus.

  Cyprus is not yet a full member of the Schengen Area. Border controls between Cyprus and current Schengen Area members are maintained until the EU Council decides that the conditions for abolishing internal border controls have been met. However, Cyprus considers the Schengen visa, as well as residence permits from other EU Member States, as equivalent to its national visa for transit purposes of up to 5 days.

  The Principalities of Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, and the Holy See (Vatican City State) allow entry to their territories without formalities for Schengen visa holders.

• What is European Union?

  The following is the list of countries that are currently members of the European Union:

  Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

• Do I need a Schengen visa?

  Irish Passport Holders:

  In general, all Irish passport holders can enter the Schengen Area freely. If you hold an Irish travel document, please check here regarding any visa requirements.

  Nationals of Other Countries (Outside of the European Union):

  Citizens of some countries are exempt from the requirement for a visa to enter the Schengen Area for a short stay or transit, for details please check the following link.

• Where can I apply for a visa?

  Visa applications for Germany are now received by BLS International, except for some categories that are still received by the Embassy of Germany directly. Please refer to menu Visa Information.

  You are required to submit your visa application at the BLS International Visa Application Centre.

  • If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy.
  • If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy of the country of your longest stay;
  • If the visits in different Schengen countries are of equal length, the first destination shall be the determining factor.
• When should I apply for a visa?

  You may only submit your visa application within the 180 days period prior to your intended date of arrival to Schengen Area.

• What are Schengen visa, national visa and Airport Transit Visa?

  Schengen visa (Short stay)

  For citizens of certain countries, a Schengen visa (Type C) is required for stays in the Schengen Area of up to 90 days. With a Schengen visa, you can enter one Schengen country and travel freely throughout the entire Schengen Area.

  • Single-Entry Visa: Allows you to enter and stay in the Schengen Area continuously for up to 90 days (e.g., from July 1st to September 28th).
  • Multiple-Entry Visa: Permits multiple entries and stays in the Schengen Area, with a total duration not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period. A Schengen circulation visa is a special multi-entry visa that can be valid for 1 to 5 years, depending on the decision of the issuing Embassy.

  National Visa (Long Stay)

  If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you will need a national long-stay visa (Type D) or a residence permit. This visa is valid for stays of more than 90 days in the issuing country but also allows transit through other Schengen countries. In some cases, it permits travel throughout the Schengen Area for long-term visitors, students, workers, etc.

  Airport Transit Visa

  An airport transit visa is required depending on your nationality and whether you hold residence permits or visas from certain countries. This visa allows you to transit through the Schengen Area without leaving the airport's transit area.

  • Exemptions: Irish citizens do not require an airport transit visa. However, if your transit involves changing airports, a regular transit visa is necessary.
  • For Other Nationalities: If you plan to transit through a German airport, please check on embassy websites.
• Can someone else apply for a visa on my behalf?

  Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants unless you are exempt from biometric data capture.

  If you are exempt from biometric data capture, a representative may apply on your behalf. The representative must provide:

  • A signed letter of authorization
  • The original and a copy of their ID card

  Please note that the representative cannot be a minor.

• Do I need to enrol my biometric information in the visa application centre?

  In general, all visa applicants are required to enroll biometric information, including 10 fingerprints and digital photos. However, the following categories are exempt:

  1. Children under the age of 12.

  2. Applicants who are physically unable to submit their fingerprints (e.g., due to amputations). If it is possible to scan at least one fingertip, the applicant must still undergo the biometric process. In cases of temporary inability to provide fingerprints (e.g., due to a plaster or bandage), the applicant should provide as many fingerprints as possible. The applicant will need to come in person again to complete the fingerprinting at the next visa application.

  3. Applicants who have had a Schengen visa issued within the past 59 months and with the remark "VIS" on the visa sticker. Applicants must provide a photocopy of this visa sticker as proof. However, the local consular authority may still request biometric data.

  Note: If the applicant’s latest Schengen visa shows "VIS 0," biometric data is still required, as "VIS 0" indicates that only alphanumeric data and a photograph were provided, but no fingerprints.

  To learn more about the Visa Information System (VIS), please visit the following link.

• Could the Embassy request me to provide additional documents or interview?

  Yes, the Embassy may request additional documents or interviews based on your personal situation, even after you have submitted your application at BLS International.

• How can I collect my passport?

  The passports can be collected when you are notified online on your personal account page and by an email.

  Passports can be collected in BLS International visa application centres during the opening hours to the public.

  Passport self-pick up

  Please provide the following documents if you would like to retrieve the passport by yourself:

  • Visa application checklist
  • The original identity card
  • A copy of your identity card

  Passport pick-up by a representative

  A representative may retrieve your passport on your behalf. The representative must provide:

  • Your application checklist
  • A copy of your ID card
  • The original and a copy of your representative’s ID card
  • An authorization letter signed by the applicant

  Please kindly note that passports will be returned from BLS International to the Consular Authority, if the passports are not retrieved at BLS International within a period of 90 days after being returned from the Consular Representation.

  Courier pass-back service

  You may have your passport returned to you by express delivery service; it will be sent directly to the address you have specified. Please check our Added Value Services page to see the availability of this service for your application.

• What are the requirements of passport?

  Before applying for a visa, ensure your passport meets the following requirements:

  1. Check the Expiration Date
  For a short-stay visa (less than 90 days), your passport must be valid for at least 90 days beyond your intended return date from the Schengen Area. Additionally, it should be valid for at least six months beyond your return to Ireland.

  2. Ensure Sufficient Blank Pages

  Your passport must have at least two completely blank and unmarked visa pages.

  3. Verify Passport Integrity

  Ensure your passport has not been altered:

  • Check that the original laminated film (the transparent safety film over the passport photo) has not been tampered with. If it has been, request a re-tampering from a passport-issuing authority.
  • Ensure no pages or surfaces have been laminated, as this will invalidate your passport.
  • Look for any scratching or alterations.

  4. Age of Passport

  If your passport was issued more than 10 years ago, you must apply for a new passport from the authorities or the Embassy of your country of origin before applying for a visa, even if it is still valid at the time of your application.

  Do not apply for a visa using a passport issued for multiple persons (e.g., one passport for a parent and children).

• What are the requirements of photo?

  The two photographs required for any visa application must meet the following criteria:

  1. Colour Photo: Taken against a white background.

  2. Size: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm.

  3. Position: Taken from the front, with no obstruction.

  4. Recency: Must be recent (taken within the last 6 months).

  For more information, please visit the link here.

  If you need to provide a recent compliant photograph to complete your application, a photographer is available inside the Visa Application Centre.

• What are the requirements of insurance?

  According to European Union regulations (Decision 2004/17/CE of December 22nd, 2003), travel insurance is a compulsory document for visa applications.

  Travel Insurance Must Be:

  • For Short-Stay Visa: Valid for the entire Schengen Area.
  • For Long-Stay Visa: Valid for Germany, if specified in the document list.

  Your travel insurance must have a minimum coverage of €30,000 to cover expenses related to repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, or emergency hospital treatment. The insurance should cover the full duration of your stay in the Schengen Area.

• Which browsers does BLS International support?

  BLS International supports the latest versions of the following browsers:

  • Chrome (Windows 10 and Android for Mobile/Tablet)
  • Edge (Windows 10)
  • Firefox (Windows 7)
  • Safari (OS X and iOS for Mobile/Tablet)

  Ensure your browser is up to date by regularly installing software updates.

• How to book an appointment on BLS International website?

  You can book an appointment on BLS International website here.

• How to use the One-Time Password (OTP)

  For your protection and to complete your application form on our website, you are required to confirm your phone number by entering a one-time password (OTP) sent to you via SMS during the application process.

  Why do we need your telephone number?

  Your telephone number is used as a security measure to authenticate you as the unique user of your account, helping to prevent the risk of fraudulent activities.

  What is an OTP (One-Time Password)?

  An OTP (One-Time Password) is a unique, auto-generated code sent to you via SMS. It serves as a security measure to verify your identity as the user of the telephone number associated with your account. This code can only be used once and will expire after a short period.

  How to Use OTP during the Application Process

  After completing your online application form and clicking "Submit," you will be prompted to verify your telephone number by entering a 6-digit OTP sent to you via SMS.

  Please ensure you enter the code correctly and promptly, as the OTP is valid for one hour and can only be used once.

  Once you submit your OTP, you will receive a confirmation that your telephone number has been verified, allowing you to proceed with booking an appointment.

  If you don’t receive your OTP, please refer to the "I Didn’t Receive My OTP. What Can I Do?" section for suggested solutions. You can request your OTP up to two times.

  What telephone number format is accepted?

  The accepted telephone number format depends on your country code.

  To ensure your telephone number is in the correct format, please follow the instructions provided under the "Mobile Number" field in your application form.

  It is important that all applicants enter their telephone number according to these instructions; otherwise, you may not receive the SMS containing your OTP.

  I didn’t receive my OTP. What can I do?

  If you didn’t receive your OTP, it could be due to the following reasons:

  • Incorrect telephone number: Make sure the telephone number you entered is correct.
  • Incorrect telephone number format: Please use the format according to the instructions given in the application form. The format depends on your country code.
  • Mobile network issues: Check your phone's signal and ensure that you're connected to a stable network.
  • Mobile provider restrictions: Make sure that your phone's "Do Not Disturb" mode is turned off and that you have not accidentally blocked the sender of the OTP.

  If you still cannot receive your OTP, please write to us via the "Contact Us" form or reach out to our Call Centre.