Long Stay Visas for Germany: for 2025 Applicants

If you're planning an extended trip to Germany, you're likely going to need a long stay visa.

Here, you'll learn about the different types of German long stay visas available and what sort of criteria you need to hit in order to be eligible to apply.

Whether you're planning on working, studying, or simply spending time embracing German culture, a long stay German visa is your first step to your journey overseas.

Do I need a long stay visa for Germany?

If you're planning to spend more than 90 days in Germany (or the Schengen area in general), you will need to apply for the appropriate long stay visa, though there are a couple of exceptions.

If you are an EU/EEA citizen or a citizen of a Schengen country, you do not need a long stay visa for extended stays in Germany.

Luckily, there are quite a few different types of long-stay visas depending on what you're planning to do in Germany.

What types of German long stay visas are there?

When heading to Germany for a longer period, you need to make sure that you apply for the visa that matches your situation.

Your visa is the key to your success and it will grant you permission to carry out different activities, such as work, education, etc.

Below, we will go over what German visas are currently available. This information is according to the German Embassy. Make sure to always check with the German Embassy when it comes to what is currently available, as they will have the most up-to-date and accurate information for you.

German work visas

If you're planning to work in Germany, there are several visas with employment privileges available depending on your unique situation.

The EU Blue Card

The Blue Card is for highly skilled professionals. There are a few cases where the EU Blue Card might be appropriate for you.

One is if you have been offered a position with a German company and you hold a university degree that Germany recognizes.

Second is if you are a skilled worker with a tertiary degree and have been offered a position with a German company.

The third is if you are an IT professional with at least three years of proven experience (within the last 7 years) and you have been offered employment in the information or communication technology sectors through a German company.

Keep in mind that there are minimum salary requirements for each of these qualifications. More information can be found through the German embassy.

The Opportunity Card

If you're looking for work but don't have an offer lined up yet, you may be eligible for the German Opportunity Card. This "card" allows you to come to Germany to look for work. Once you get an offer, you will need to then apply for the appropriate visa.

To qualify, you need to hold a degree or have a minimum of 2 years of training. You also will need to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover you during your stay in Germany while looking for employment.

The Opportunity Card does have a language requirement. You must either have an A1 in German or a B2 in English.

Visa to work as an academic in Germany

If you are an academic looking to work in Germany, there is a specific visa that you may be eligible to apply for. Applicants must have a degree that is recognized in Germany and comparable with a German degree. You must also have a job offer from a German company.

Visa for skilled workers

This visa is for skilled workers with professional training. To be eligible, you must have qualifying training (comparable to training in Germany) and a job offer from a German company.

Visa to work in Germany (with work experience)

If you have work experience and want to work in Germany, this visa might be applicable. To qualify, you will need to have a degree and/or at least 2 years of training and 2 years of work experience in your desired field. This work experience needs to have been within the previous 5 years. Along with experience, you will also need to have a job offer from a German employer. Like some visas, there is a minimum salary requirement for this one. More information can be found through the German embassy.

Visa for international transfers (ICT card)

Known as an ICT card, this "visa" allows companies with employees around the world to bring employees to the EU (Germany). The ICT card allows non-EU employees to work in the EU for a limited amount of time.

Visa for researchers

To be eligible to research in Germany, you must have a valid offer from a private or public research institution in Germany or a German university.

Visa for self-employment

It is possible to be self-employed in Germany as a non-EU resident, with some criteria. There needs to be a clear regional demand for your business, as well as commercial interest. You'll also need to show that you can create jobs and that you have financial backing.

There are other types of work visas in Germany for less common scenarios. Always look to the German embassy for the most updated and accurate information about available visas.

German studying visas

Germany has visas available for those looking to continue learning in Germany or study abroad.

Visas for studying abroad in Germany

To be eligible to apply for a German study abroad visa, you will need to have an offer letter from a state-recognized university. If you haven't found a program yet, you will need to show a diploma or school-leaving certificate that shows you qualify for higher education in Germany. Additionally, you'll need to prove language skills per the course you're applying for and prove that you can sustain yourself (financially) during your stay in the country.

Visa for vocational training (basic or advanced)

To qualify, you'll need to show a contract for your vocational training as well as a training plan. It's possible to obtain this visa to look for vocational placement. If this is the case, qualified applicants must be 35 years or older, have a B1 or higher of German fluency, have financial means, and have a school-leaving certificate (like a diploma) that shows your ability to obtain higher education.

Family reunification visas in Germany

Germany offers a few different visas for those looking to reunite with their family members in Germany.

German visa for spouse/fiancée/partner

To be eligible for a spousal visa, you need to be at least 18 years of age and be able to provide proof of marriage or registered civil partnership. You must also prove German language proficiency at an A1 level.

German visa for reunification with child

The parent must have sole or joint custody of the foreign child, and the child must be under the age of 18 at the time of application. If the child is over the age of 16, there is typically a language requirement where the child must show a C1 proficiency in the German language.

There are other family reunification visas available. Always check the German Embassy for the most up-to-date and accurate visas and qualifications.

How do I apply for a German long stay visa?

Once you have found which visa applies to your situation, you can apply for a German long stay visa in just a few steps. Typically, you can start the process through Germany's Consular Services Portal online.

In the official portal, you will be able to fill out your national visa application and upload the required documents for a preliminary review.

This preliminary review will check your file to make sure it's complete, meaning all of the required documents are there. If anything is missing, you'll be notified.

After the preliminary review is complete, you will need to attend an in-person appointment so biometrics can be collected (fingerprints and a photo) and so you can pay the applicable fee(s).

At this time, the German Consular Services Portal is only available for solo applications. If you're applying with a spouse or family, you will need to apply through the respective German mission.