National Visas are mainly used for long-term stays in the country for a few particular purposes
and it can be extended for a whole year. However, once the traveller enters Germany they
need to apply for a residence permit as a general rule. The granting of the national visa is
subject to the approval of the immigration authorities. EU citizens and people
residing in places like Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland don’t need a visa to
enter Germany for any purpose, due to the Schengen Agreement reached in 1985 among
most of the European Union member states.

National Visa is also known as D Visa, the non-
EA and the non-EEA nationals who needs to stay in Germany for a long time the reasons
being research, studying, family reasons need to apply for a national visa for them to stay
longer and that they can do by consulting a consulate or an embassy at one’s country or
residency.

There are different types of German Long stay visas:

  German visa for long term employment: This type of visa is established for the
skilled workers who can contribute to the economy of the country and permits every
year. The German Immigration authorities have established this type visa for the sole
purpose of working thus giving to internationals the chance to work in the Federal
Republic for a longer period of time.
 German Visa for family reunion: Family emotions and reunions become a very
important thing. Families of the German family who live outside the EU nations can
apply to join their family members as their dependents. The relative you are going to
join must have a residence permit and a residence to themselves, enough room for
you and sufficient and secured funds.
 German Study Visa: The German student visa is very crucial for students who
wish to start a career or study in Germany. Now, the non-EU students can study in
Germany using a student visa which extends upto 2 years and can be further
extended as well. In order to apply, the student must be approved by the state or a
state run university and he or she should be able to financially support himself or
herself. The foreign students can also work for quite some days in order to earn
some extra money.
 German Job seekers visa: The non-EU citizens who want to start their professional
life in Germany may do so by using this visa. In order to obtain such visa the person
needs to have a higher education diploma recognized in Germany and also the
means of survival which will help you survive financially in the country.
 German visa for freelancing or self-employment: Freelancing or being self-
employed is a very liberal profession one can opt for. If someone wishes to work
independently then he or she needs to apply for a visa that allows the candidate to stay in

Germany for a longer period of time. The required applications must carry all
the details of your necessary needs and requirements in order to support their
project and a permit to exercise that profession.

It is very much necessary for all the residents living in Germany to have health insurance and
it is compulsory to show proof of you applying for health insurance before getting a student
visa. Students under the age of 30 must register with the public healthcare system for which
they are eligible to pay a much discounted rate which is around 110 euros per month which
covers both basic medical and nursing care insurance. But the students over the age group
of 30 won’t be able to access this discounted rate, but are eligible to apply for private
healthcare cover. The processing time of a German student visa processing time is typically
around 6 to 12 weeks, although it can take upto 4 months in some occurrences.
It is really important to understand that there are three types of German student visa:
1. The main German student visa, this is for those who have already been accepted by
a University in the country.
2. Language Course visa, this is for those who were accepted onto a language
preparatory course that lasts between three months and one year.
3. Student Applicant visa, this is for those who haven’t chosen their course yet or who
are still awaiting confirmation of acceptance.

The student applicant visa is very much necessary for those who have still not decided on
the course they wish to apply for or start a career on or they still haven’t received any
confirmation from the place. Sometimes it happens that the students are allowed to enter
German Universities, enter the country and stay there, this is done using the Prospective
Student Visa. Unlike a normal student visa which grants a time period of only upto 4 years.
Now, once you have got into the course you need to apply for a student visa so that you
don’t need to leave Germany you can do it from the country only.

The requirements for the German student visa:
 The proof of your acceptance in the University
 Valid passport, and its photocopies
 Recent biometric picture
 Proof of proper and sufficient funds
 Proof of health insurance
 Proof of your civil status, which involves your birth certificate, your ration card, etc.

Germany National visa applications take several months to be processed. The person who
has applied for the visa should keep on checking with the consulate or embassy for his or
her clearance.