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National Visa – Category D: Freelancers (§21 Abs 5 AufenthG)

20.01.2025 - Article

General Information:

According to Section 18 of the German Income Tax Act (Einkommensteuergesetz), freelance employment includes independent scientific, artistic, literary, teaching or educational work, and the independent professional activity of doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, notaries, patent agents, surveyors, engineers, architects, commercial chemists, accountants, tax consultants, consulting economists, sworn accountants, tax agents, non-medical practitioners, physiotherapists, journalists, photojournalists, interpreters, translators, pilots and similar professions.

As the competent bodies at your future habitual residence assess whether the conditions for freelance activities by foreigners have been met in your case, you are advised to contact the relevant authorities and enquire about special prerequisites before filing your visa application with us. The authorities you need to contact are, for example, the Aliens Authority, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the authority regulating admission to the profession concerned.

Useful information can be found here.

For artists we recommend the following link here .

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

Your application set has to be sorted as follows:

Please don’t staple the application form or the documents

1.

Videx Application Form

  • Fully completed in English or German, signed, and dated by the applicant himself.

  • Must be submitted as printout including the barcode page (page 7) and signed forms on page 5 and 6.

  • If the applicant is under the age of 18, signed form “Authorization – Minors / Children under 18” needs to be attached including passport copies of parents/ legal guardian.

  • Separate application forms are required for each applicant; all children also require separate forms.

2.

Passport

  • The original passport must be present & copies of the passport (personal data page including validity & signature pages) must be submitted.

  • UAE residency as well as 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 2 consecutive blank pages (i.e. a blank double page spread).

  • Special rules might apply for some nationals which passports are not recognized by the German authorities.

3.

2 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.

4.

If applicable: previous stay in Germany / previous Schengen Visa

  • Copies of your old German residence permit

  • Copies of previous Schengen visa

5.

  • Well-structured and detailed description of your planned freelance employment, supported by fee contracts and/or letters of intent

  • Proof of available capital

  • Revenue forecast

  • Proof of business contacts in the relevant professional field in Germany/Europe

6.

Curriculum vitae (CV) specifying the certificates, diplomas and qualifications you have obtained & additional proof of previous and current academic studies (e.g. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, Higher National Diploma/professional training/work experience )

7.

Motivation Letter

8.

Proof of qualification, e.g. university degree, training certificate, experience certificates, reference letters

9.

Proof of secure means of subsistence for at least one year

10.

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

If you are 45 years or older: evidence of adequate retirement benefits (e.g. offer from a private pension or life insurer, own assets, acquired pension rights or operating assets)

Note further:

  • False or falsified documents will lead to the refusal of visa and / or further consequences.

  • The German Consulate Dubai reserves the right to ask for additional documents and / or call applicant for additional information or interview.

  • Once applicants have relocated to Germany, they must apply for their residence permit to the local immigration office. The jurisdiction of the German missions in the UAE is limited to those students that have not yet left the UAE.

  • If your application is successful, you will be issued a limited-validity entry visa - similar to a UAE entry visa for longer stay. Please make sure to check the validity of your visa! Once you have arrived in Germany, please register your new residence with the local authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply to your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for your Electronic Residence Permit. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.

Disclaimer:Although the information in this leaflet has been prepared with utmost care, we cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies contained herein.

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