Germany visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for South Africans visiting Germany

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a German Visa.

  • A valid International passport which must have a validity of at least 6 months.
  • A copy of confirmed and purchased return flight ticket within the duration of the trip.
  • Two passport photographs (not older than 6 months) which meet the criteria for visa application.
  • A copy of completed visa application form signed by the applicant.
  • Bank statement for at least three months.
  • A valid travel insurance covering the total number of days you will be staying in Germany.
  • Proof of hotel reservation. If you are staying with a friend or relative, a copy of the person’s ID and passport should be presented at the Embassy.

Germany Visa for South Africans

Facts about Germany

Visiting Germany is a vacation worth taking for every traveler. Asides from being one of the safest travel destinations in the world, the country is rich in history, culture, outdoor activities, and of course its cities. The country is home to the world’s leading trade fairs, the ITB Berlin. Also, the Oktoberfest which takes place in Munich between September and October is one of the main events which draws a lot of tourists to the country. The Oktoberfest draws as much as 6 million tourists to the country yearly. Tourists in the country also have the liberty of engaging in winter sports like alpine skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding, and cross-country skiing in various regions in the country.
 
Germany is the ninth most visited country in the world. In 2012, over 30.4 million international tourists visited the country bringing over $38 billion in international tourism. The tourism industry is responsible for contributing 4.5% of the German GDP and provides 2 million jobs. The number of visitors is expected to increase significantly in the years to come.

On entry and exit to and from the country, foreigners are not allowed more than €10,000 or its equivalent.

Types of Germany Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 days 180 days
Business visa 15 days 180 days
Transit visa 5 working days 12 hours
Medical visa 15 days 180 days
Student visa 30 days greater than 180 days

General Requirements for Germany Visa

  • A valid International passport which must have a validity of at least 6 months.
  • A copy of confirmed and purchased return flight ticket within the duration of the trip.
  • Two passport photographs (not older than 6 months) which meet the criteria for visa application.
  • A copy of completed visa application form signed by the applicant.
  • Bank statement for at least three months.
  • A valid travel insurance covering the total number of days you will be staying in Germany.
  • Proof of hotel reservation. If you are staying with a friend or relative, a copy of the person’s ID and passport should be presented at the Embassy.
Germany Tourist visa Germany Business visa Germany Transit visa Germany Medical visa Germany Student visa

Germany Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The tourist visa is basically meant for tourism and sightseeing purposes. 
  • It also allows its holders to visit friends and relatives as well as attend summer school or a work seminar. 
  • You are not allowed to take up work while in the country with this visa.
  • Original copy of minor’s birth certificate should be provided.
  • The tourist visa usually takes a period of 10 days to be processed and has a validity of 180 days.
  • This visa types allow for multiple entries into Germany.
  • At the expiry of your visa, you are expected to exit the country. 
  • The visa costs about €60.
  • Holders of this type of visa are not allowed to work.

Germany Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A business visa is issued to those who go to Germany for business purposes, sign contracts and attend meetings.
  • The validity depends on the embassy that issued it. A business visa can be a single entry or multiple entry visa.
  • The visa costs €60 and take a period of between 10 - 15 days to be processed.
  • An invitation letter from business partner is needed to be tendered during the visa application process.
  • A letter from your employer approving your business leave and stating the duration of your visit in the country.
  • You are not allowed to work or enroll in one of the institutions of learning in the country.
  • Minors should ensure they have an original copy of their birth certificate.
  • The visa costs €60 for adults and €35 for children between the age of 6 – 12 years of age.
  • The visa is valid for 180 days.

Germany Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • It is also referred to the A-visa type in the airport in the Schengen visa category.
  • This visa type allows the holder to get off their plane in any German airport, stay there for not more than 12 hours and take another flight to their destination country.
  • You should have a visa and flight ticket to your destination country.
  • Holders of this visa cannot visit relatives or friends in the country.
  • You are not allowed to work during your time in the country.
  • Application forms of minors should be signed by both parents.
  • You are expected to obey the rules and regulations in the country.
  • The visa takes about 5 working days to be processed and has a validity of not more than 12 hours.
  • It costs €60.

Germany Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This is a visa given to foreigners to seek and receive medical treatments.
  • It is given to any South African who is able to afford the treatment financially.
  • The visa is processed for a period of 15 days and has a validity of 180 days.
  • If the treatment elapses the 3-month period, then a medical visa extension is granted.
  • Documents indicating that the individual requires medical attention that cannot be provided in South Africa should be presented.
  • A letter of invitation from the medical institution should be tendered during the visa application process.
  • Diagnosis of the ailment from your local doctor is required. The document should also contain the reason the treatment cannot be gotten in South Africa.
  • If applicant is a minor, original birth certificate of the minor is required.
  • The medical visa costs €60.

Germany Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Germany visa department issues these visa types to individuals who intend to stay in the country for a long period of time or permanently. 
  • If you are staying longer than 180 days you would have to apply for a resident permit.
  • The visa is issued to those going to Germany for employment or study purposes.
  • It takes about one month (30 days) to be processed and has a validity which is greater than 180 days.
  • A letter of admission to study a course or letter of employment is required from holders of this visa type.
  • Travel insurance is required.
  • If you are a minor, a copy of your birth certificate is needed.

Germany Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

60.00 (EUR)

Business visa

60.00 (EUR)

Transit visa

60.00 (EUR)

Medical visa

60.00 (EUR)

Student visa

75.00 (EUR)

Germany Visa Application Centres & Embassies in South Africa

Location

Address

Pretoria

201 Florence Ribeiro Avenue Groenkloof Ext 3 0181

https://southafrica.diplo.de/sa-en/germanmissions/sa-embassy

info@pretoria.diplo.de

012 427 8900

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to get a visa to travel to Germany??

Yes, any foreigner who wants to travel to Germany needs to obtain a visa.

Where can I get a Germany visa application form??

The normal Germany visa application forms can be downloaded from the embassy website and filled manually, and the e-visa form should be filled and submitted online.

My visa has been issued by an embassy from a Schengen state, can I use that to travel to Germany??

Yes, you can use a Schengen visa issued at another country to travel to Germany.

What are the passport validity requirements??

Your passport needs to be valid for at least three months.

How much does a German visa cost??
The visa costs €60 for short stay and €75 for long stay.