Visa Information

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Visa Information

Visa Information

National Visa: If you intend to stay longer than 90 days, you have to apply for a long-term visa (also called “National visa”). Please note some National visa categories are processed by the German Embassy directly. For more information visit the website of the German Embassy in Dublin.

Schengen Visa: Short-term visas are also called “Schengen Visa” as they allow a stay up to 90 days in a 180-day timeframe in the Schengen area. A short-term visa is needed for any stay shorter than 90 days.

Please prepare the documents below carefully

Read the list of documents which need to be submitted with your visa application based on your travel purpose/category and prepare the documents carefully. Always choose the correct travel purpose/category.

If you plan to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you need to apply for a national visa. Citizens of the Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa.

Below is the list of individual visa categories.

Employment Visa

The validity of your degree will be assessed. You can check if your degree is listed on “Anabin” as “equivalent” or “comparable”. If your degree is not listed on Anabin or does not get the above mentioned assessment, you might be asked to get it assessed by the ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen & Cental Office for Foreign Education). An assessment might also be necessary if Anabin lists your degree as equivalent with conditions.

Family reunion to employment Visa

Study Visa

Research Visa

Working Holiday Visa

Applicants must file their application before their 31st birthday, Canadians before their 35th birthday. ** The following nationalities can apply for a Working Holiday in Dublin:

Chile, Argentina, Uruguay
Citizens from Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand can apply in Dublin but also directly with the Immigration Office in Germany.
Citizens from Israel, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brazil must apply at the Embassy/Consulates in their country.

Employment without an academic degree or degree in vocational training (e.g. artists or self-employment, start-ups etc.)

This category of visa is not processed by BLS international. Please contact the German Embassy Dublin at info@dublin.diplo.de with regard to your application. You can find further information regarding the visa process on www.dublin.diplo.de.

Students with a conditional acceptance letter or students who want to apply for studies in Germany (Studienbewerbervisum)

This category of visa is not processed by BLS International. Please contact the German Embassy Dublin at info@dublin.diplo.de with regard to your application. You can find further information regarding the visa process on www.dublin.diplo.de.

Language course

Family reunion to a German national or family reunion where the spouse is in Germany already (e.g. on a refugee visa or a spouse who has a Blue Card but did not apply for it in Dublin)

Chancenkarte

Au Pair

For applicants under 18:

birth certificate or proof of guardianship
recent letter from school, signed
passports of all guardians and Irish residence permit

For minors travelling alone or with only one parent:

written consent to the intended journey, signed by all guardians and certified by notary public or Garda

For applications of minors (under 18), at least one parent must be present when the application is made.

Schengen visa – Business trips

You are planning a business trip to Germany?

Schengen visa – Tourism

You are planning on visiting and touring Germany?

Schengen visa – Family/Friend Visit

You are planning on visiting friends or family?

Schengen visa - EU/EEA and Swiss National Family Members

You are a family member of an EU citizen (non-German)? EEA/EU and Swiss nationals family members are able to apply for a Schengen visa as EEA/EU and Swiss national family member, meaning that they can submit fewer documents and are exempt from paying the visa fee, while traveling with their EEA/EU or Swiss national family member.

1. A VISA is needed IF you hold a “Stamp 4” card:

IF you are travelling WITH your spouse/child: EEA/EU nationals family members are able to apply for a Schengen visa as EEA/EU national family member, meaning that they can submit fewer documents and are exempt from paying the visa fee, while traveling with their EEA/EU national family member.
IF you are travelling WITHOUT your spouse/child: You need to provide all the regular documentation listed under Tourism/Visitor/Business visa application depending on the type of your trip.

2. NO VISA is needed IF your IRP card has the remark “Stamp 4EU FAM” both if you are travelling WITH or WITHOUT your spouse/child . While travelling, have the marriage/birth certificate at hand to prove your family relationship.

Please note: Parents who travel with a child who is an Irish/EU/EEA citizen must present proof that they provide for the child (independent of state support) and have sufficient means for the journey (proof of employment, bank statements). Parents who do not provide financial support for their child cannot avail of the facilitations and have to present all documents listed in the relevant visa category.

“EU national” for this type of visa only includes German citizens if they have their habitual residence in Ireland.

For applicants under 18:

birth certificate or proof of guardianship
recent letter from school, signed
passports of all guardians and Irish residence permit

For minors travelling alone or with only one parent:

written consent to the intended journey, signed by all guardians and certified by notary public or Garda

For applications of minors (under 18), at least one parent must be present when the application is made.

Schengen Visa Other Purposes

Cultural events, sports events, language courses, short-term internships, and similar travel purposes for stays under 90 days.

Schengen Short Stay Visa

National Visa

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