National Visa Application Form including the declaration of true and complete information (According to Section 54 (2) 8 in conjunction with Section 53 of the Residence Act)

available online free of charge

• Fully completed in English or German, signed, and dated by the applicant himself.
• The application form needs to be filled out online and printed out.

Passport

Applicant must have the original passport & copies of the passport (personal data page including validity pages) & UAE residency & Emirates ID must be submitted as copies.

• It is recommended that the passport is valid for at least 1 year at the day of submission. Please be aware that a visa validity cannot exceed the validity of the passport.

• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least two free visa pages
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport
• Previous passport if applicable
• IMPORTANT: valid UAE residence permit & EID
• Special rules might apply for some nationals which passports are not recognized by the German authorities.)

Three recent biometric passport sized photographs (3.5x4,5 cm)

Requirements:

• Should NOT be older than 6 months.
• A frontal view of the face covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
• A uniform and light-colored background.
• Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
• Head coverings are only accepted for religious reasons.

Do not glue or staple the pictures to the application form.

If applicable: previous stay in Germany / previous Schengen Visa

• Copies of your old German resident permit
• Copies of previous Schengen visa

Proof of Qualification

Proof of academic degree / training or vocational training and (if applicable) prior work experience

Option A

For academic professionals with a recognized degree: German university degree or recognized foreign university degree comparable to a German degree.

You can check whether your foreign university as well as degree is recognized or comparable by

consulting the ANABIN database and submit ANABIN-printout of university comparison and ANABIN-printout of degree comparison. General information on the recognition process can be found here.

If your university/degree is not listed in ANABIN, you will first have to apply for a Statement of Comparability with the Central Office for Foreign Education & submit the proof when applying or refer to option B.

For Applicants (skilled workers) who completed a recognized vocational training: Proof of recognition of your training; additional information can be found here: Anerkennung in Deutschland

General information on the recognition process can be found here.

Proof of German language proficiency is necessary for certain professions (especially customer related professions).

Option B

(Applicable on applicants with a completed vocational training or a university degree not recognized in Germany but recognized in the country, where it was obtained)

• Applicants are holding a completed university degree that is recognized by the country in which it was obtained.

OR

• Applicants (skilled workers) who completed vocational training of at least 2 years duration that is recognized by the country in which it was obtained .

With confirmation from the German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) Obtained through the website https://zab.kmk.org/en/dab

AND

proof of knowledge of German on level A1 from Goethe Institute or ÖSD OR knowledge of English on level B2, certificate with ALTE Q-mark

And if applicable proof of:

• Notification of partial recognition of vocational qualification
• Proof of German skills on levels A2, B1, B2, C1 from Goethe Institute or ÖSD
• Proof of English skills on level C1, certificate with ALTE Q-mark
• Proof of work experience in connection with the qualification
• Proof of a least 6 months continuous legal stay in Germany in the last 5 years

For option 1 & 2 a printout for the Self-Check result must be submitted.

Proof of financial means to cover the costs of the time of your stay:

• Proof of a “Sperrkonto” (blocked account) in Germany with sufficient funds currently amounting to at least 1.027,-- EUR/month of intended stay plus sufficient funds for the return flight. For further information, please check our website under National Visa. Additional Information limited withdrawal bank account for students can be found here

or

• formal obligation letter “Verpflichtungserklärung” by sponsor living in Germany.

Please refer to our Information Sheet- Blocked Account & Obligation letter Information Sheet- Blocked Account & Obligation letter

Curriculum vitae (CV) of professional career, specifying the certificates, diplomas and qualifications you have obtained.

Relevant previous work experience certificates & additional proof of previous and current academic studies (e.g. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, Higher National Diploma)/professional training/work experience

• Proof of recent job search in Germany (e.g. email correspondence re applications, potential job offers, agency enquiries, etc.)
• Plan of job search in Germany including list of potential employers, If applicable proof of email correspondence with potential employers.
• Cover Letter/ Motivation Letter (including the reason why you are searching for a job in Germany? information and plan to find employment in Germany as well as career plans. Area of work? What part of Germany? Accommodation? Future plans?)

Proof of accommodation in Germany at least for the first month (if staying with a friend/relative in Germany, a formal obligation letter “Verpflichtungserklärung” should be submitted)

Incoming medical insurance or proof public / private insurance covering the applicant as an expat / student in Germany has to be provided at the time of visa approval. A travel insurance is not sufficient.

More information to be provided during the interview.