The United Arab Emirates is one of the many countries that have a visa Liberalization policy with Germany but in some cases, a visa is necessary to enter the country. It has been recorded that in 2023 there were 26,024 applications filled for a German Schengen visa in the UAE. Germany attracts foreigners for multiple reasons such as high-paying job opportunities, a clean environment, and cultural attractions. The most important ones are its robust economic and unparalleled welfare system. Several UAE residents fly to Germany every year to fulfill their needs.
Entry Requirement for UAE Residents
Finding out if you truly need a visa is the first step. Citizens of the United Arab Emirates are granted entry into Germany for up to 90 days in 180 days, without needing a visa. However, UAE residents who hold passports from other countries that have not been included in the visa waiver program must apply for a visa to visit Germany.
What is a Schengen Visa?
If you’re traveling to Europe and entering the Schengen Area from a country without a visa-free travel arrangement, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa.
The Schengen Agreement, signed in 1985, allows residents of the member states of Schengen to travel throughout the region without a visa. Conversely, those citizens of non-Schengen nations are permitted entry into the entire area with a single, unified document called a Schengen Visa.
The Schengen Area includes most EU countries (but not Cyprus or Ireland). It also consists of some countries outside the EU – but not the UK.
These countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Types of Schengen Visa
Visas for Germany fall under the Schengen Visa Classification. However, Foreign nationals can obtain different types of German visas from the German Consulate or Embassy.
These come in four main Schengen Visa categories or Schengen Visa types:
Uniform Schengen Visa
Type A (Airport Transit Visa)
Type B (Transit Visa)
Type C (Short stay Schengen Visa)
Single Entry Visa
Double Entry Visa
Multiple Entry Visa
National Visa Type D or Long-Stay Visa
The Uniform Schengen Visa is your gateway that consists of three categories A, B, and C, allowing you to travel through airport transit areas (category A), make a quick journey through the Schengen zone to reach a non-Schengen destination (category B), and most importantly, enjoy a short stay of up to 90 days within six months in any Schengen country (category C).
This visa is ideal for tourists looking to experience the wonders of Europe on a vacation. However, Type D, which is a national visa, is for those who want to stay in Germany for a longer period (long-stay Visa) which works well for work, study, or training.
1. Uniform Schengen Visa
Type A Schengen Visa or Airport Transit Visa
The type A visa is for those traveling from a non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen country but need to connect flights in the airport of a Schengen Country. The person needs to hold such a visa to enter the said Schengen Country.
Requirements:
To get this type A visa for airport transit one must need to have the following documents:
Application form: is available online and free of charge. It must be filled out in English or German, signed and dated by the applicant himself.
Passport: it should have a validity of a minimum of three months from the date of expiry.
Important for UAE: Valid UAE residence permit and for electronic UAE residence visa holder. A printout form of both an Electronic residence visa and Emirates ID
Photographs: two recent biometric passport-sized photographs (3.5-4,5 cm)
Photocopies:
One passport copy of pages containing personal data
1 copy of UAE residence permit/visa
Copies of previous Schengen Visa
Copy of visa for final destination
Flight: flight reservation for the entire trip
Letter from Local Employer/Sponsor (NOL): that includes the name, postal address and telephone number of the sponsor/company with details regarding the applicant’s working position, starting date of employment, salary and time frame of work leave (expected date to resume duties) and purpose of travel.
Additional documents for minors (below the age of 18): if applicable, proving legal parenthood. Documents need to be translated into either German or English. “Letter of consent” from parents, including passport copies of both parents/legal guardians.
Type B Schengen or Transit Visa
This type of visa is replaced by type C with the condition of transit. This is called a short-stay visa because this visa relates to journeys lasting fewer than five days.
Requirements:
This type B visa is now replaced with the Type C so one should fulfill the requirement for a type C visa when travelling to the Schengen area.
Type C Schengen or Short Stay Visa
This type of visa allows the visa holder to stay or travel freely in the Schengen area for less than 90 days over 180 days.
This type of visa is issued by the visa services (embassies, consulates, appointed external providers) of a country belonging to the Schengen area.
It is mandatory for citizens of some countries.
According to the purpose of your trip, this type of type C visa is further divided into three categories.
Single Entry Visa
This visa allows visa holders to enter the Schengen area once. If you leave the area the validity of your visa expires. Even if the validity of the visa is still valid, your exit will be final.
The visa will have a “1″ sticker on it.
Requirements:
Passport: a valid passport with an expiry date of at least 3 months after the date of departure from the Schengen Area.
A properly filled Visa Application Form with accurate information
Photographs: that follow the ICAO standard
Medical Insurance: that includes emergency medical care, hospitalizations, or repatriation (including in the event of death)
Supporting Documents: like the purpose of your stay, evidence of financial means and accommodation during your stay, and evidence of your intention to return to your home country.
Fingerprints Collection: at the time of application submission (exemptions exist for specific categories of applicants)
Double Entry Visa
This type of visa allows visa holders to enter the Schengen area twice during the validity period of the visa.
You can thus leave the Schengen area and re-enter it during that period. The second time you leave the area, your visa will expire.
The visa will have the sticker of “2”.
Requirements
Completed Schengen Visa application form: providing correct and complete information
Passport-size photographs: your two recent photographs
Travel Itinerary: details about flight reservations and hotel bookings
Travel Insurance
Proof of Financial Means: a document that is sufficient to prove that you can support your finances in the Schengen area.
Proof of purpose of your trip: for example, an invitation letter from the host, conference registration letter, etc.
Multi Entry Visa
If the visa holder has this type of visa then he/she can enter and leave the Schengen area as many times as they want.
This authorization is valid for a maximum of 90 days over 180 days.
The visa holds the sticker of “MULTI” on it.
Requirements
Application Form: complete and accurate information complying with the information in the documents provided.
Photograph: 2 identical photos of 35×45mm size. The photo must be a
Sharp, taken against a light grey background.
Photos must be taken in the last six months.
Taken in the face, a clear picture showing the eyes and face from both sides, from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders with the face covering 70-80% of the photo.
Passport: The German embassy requires the passport should have a validity of three months beyond your planned stay in the Schengen.
For Multiple Entry Visa: The expiry date of your passport should be at least 3 months after your departure from the last country visited.
A copy of the passport page with personal data and a photo.
Healthcare insurance is valid across all countries of the Schengen Area for an amount not lower than EUR 30,000. For a multi-entry visa, It should cover the date of the first entry.
Copy of ID documents: to confirm residence within the consular District of your application.
A re-entry visa is valid for three months beyond the intended date of departure from the territory of the member states.
UAE-ID-Card, valid for three months after the intended departure from the territory of the Member States.
Travel Itinerary: This includes the proof of your round trip flight/travel reservation or other documents that show intended transport, as well as proof of your purpose of staying in Germany. Proof Of Financial Means:
A bank statement or document that states you have enough money to finance yourself during your stay in Germany. The statement can be used to show that you have enough funds to spend at least 45€ per day in Germany.
Or if proof of owner financing is not possible then a formal declaration of a third person can be submitted, willing to own your travel and stay in Germany alongside proof of their financial means.
Proof Of Accommodation: a hotel booking or reservation, or any official invitation.
Cost of Short-Stay Schengen Visa
Schengen visa fees are the same for all three types of short-stay visas.
For Adults: €90
For Children €45 between 6 to 10 years of age
Free for Children younger than 6 years of age
The visa fees are non-refundable
Prices for short-stay Schengen visas are standardized for all countries that come into the Schengen region.
2. National Visa Type D or Long-Stay Visa
This type of visa is for longer stay and mandatory for any foreigner who wants to stay, live, or work in a Schengen Country for a longer period (more than 90 days) until you obtain your other residence permit, depending on your situation( for example residence permit for student or employment).
However, the immigration office has the right to take several months to issue a residence permit. For that one must contact the relevant immigration authority immediately after entering Germany and applying for a residence.
Depending on your visa type your residence permit will allow you to work, study, undergo vocational training, etc. Here is the list of various types of visas that fall under this category.
Visa for skilled workers
Student visa
Visa for vocational training
Job Seeker visa
Visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualification
Blue card EU
Visa for researchers
Self-employment visa
Marriage visa
Family renuficition
Requirements:
Visa application form filled out and signed (2x)
A valid passport
Current biometric passport photos
Proof of financing or a declaration of commitment
Other documents depend on the type of your visa. For example, you may be required to provide an employment contract, proof of Health Insurance or housing depending on the purpose of entry. In case of family reunification, you may have to prove the custody of your child or you may have to present the relevant employment contract in another country
Cost of Type D National Long-stay Visa
The fee for all long-stay visas or National (D) visas is €75. However, some specific visa categories waive national visa fees but some other categories need to pay lower visa fees.
Candidates under the age of 18 have to pay a reduced amount of fees of about € 37.5 when applying for a long-stay Germany visa.
Type D visa Issuance
The national visa or type D visa is issued by the consular authorities of the intended Schengen country under national legislation.
So it is necessary to contact the services of the country to know the different conditions and formalities that are required to be met.
Other German Visa Programs in More Detail
Germany Business Visa
Those who wish to enter Germany for Business like attending meetings or signing contracts and are not under the visa waiver program need to obtain a German business Visa. A German business Visa falls under the short-stay Schengen visa, allowing its holder to enter and remain there for up to 90 days within 6 months.
Who needs a German Business Visa?
It depends on your nationality whether you need to hold the visa or not. If you are a national of 62 countries under the visa waiver program, you don’t need a visa to enter Germany and the Schengen area in general.
Requirements
Application Form: fully completed and signed short stay visa application form.
Declaration of Accuracy of Information
Photographs: two identical photographs, no older than three months, and strictly meet the set standards
Valid National Passport: no older than 10 years and validates three months—one blank page to affix a visa sticker.
One copy of your passport’s data page (A4 size)
Travel Visa Insurance: A document that describes that you hold health insurance, which covers the cost of at least €30,000 in case of any medical emergency or repatriation.
Flight Itinerary: includes flight reservation, rail tickets, or other means of transport.
Proof Of Accommodation: details about hotel booking or letter of invitation by a host
Proof of Civil Status: marriage certificate, children’s birth certificate, or death certificate of spouse if applicable
Proof of financial status: pay slip record if employed or certificate of Proprietorship if self-employed.
Bank statement: of previous three months
Business References
Invitation Letter: from a Business partner residing in Germany in English or German
Company Itinerary Letter: that has the entire travel plan along with your position, duration of your service, dates, and purpose of your trip.
Certificate of Incorporation of the company Note: Do provide photocopies for each of the documents. The Embassy has the right to ask you to submit extra documents.
Application Process
The application procedure is the same as for other Schengen visa application processes. You must apply for it six months before your trip and the latest three weeks before. However, you need to apply for a visa procedure at your home country at the German Embassy or Consulate.
Cost
To process your visa application you need to pay the visa fees of € 90 for each applicant. The costs can be paid in the local currency according to the exchange rates approved by the embassy. However, this fee is non-refundable in any case like if your visa got rejected and also the process is subject to change at any time.
Validity
The validity of your business visa depends on the embassy which has the right to issue it. The Embassy can issue a single Entry Visa that permits you to enter Germany once and spend the number of days stated in your visa.
The Embassy may permit you a Business Visa for multiple entries which gives you freedom to enter Germany more than once.
Germany Training/Internship Visa
Germany is the primary choice for many foreign students and new graduates around the globe for training or internships in the field of interest at different institutions or companies.
Eligibility
Foreign students regardless of their age, gender or religious views can get the chance to do an internship or training in Germany in their field of interest. Institutions or companies that offer internships specify their requirements for hiring. Some may ask for fluent German or basic German-speaking language from the candidates.
Requirements
Application Form: Fully completed with correct information. Two printouts of the application form, signed at the end of the copy.
Two Passport Photographs: should follow the instructions set by German Immigration authorities
Valid National Passport: no older than ten years
One Copy of your Passport Data page
Old Passport (if any)
Health insurance
Proof of financial fund: bank statement or a contract with the company where you will be interning or training
Proof of Civil Status
Flight Itinerary
Proof of accommodation
Specific Requirements for Internship/Training Visa
ZAV consent letter from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit – permission letter to work in Germany. Interns or trainees must have this letter before engaging with any institution to be legal. This letter will be provided by the institutions/companies where you are going to work. However, some EU-funded programs like Leonardo, Socrates, Erasmus, etc. do not require this document.
Deputation/ No-objection letter: this letter will be issued by your employer or university in which you were working or studying. This will assure the embassy that you are an employee or student at their organization.
Approval Letter from German Company/Institution
Proof of Qualifications: academic degree certificate, diploma, or mark sheet
Germany Student Visa
Many UAE students are interested in getting their education from Germany for which several applications are being received by the German Embassy for the Student Visa. However, this visa comes under the National Visa Category D: Study
Instructions for Applicants
Applicants are requested to observe the General information for a National long-term visa for Germany which complements this information please note that an incomplete application cannot be accepted.
Only applicants with a confirmed University admission (“Zulassungsbescheid”) for a German university are considered students.
Applicants with a conditional University admission, admission to a preparation course for university (“Studienkolleg”), or an intensive German language course are considered applicants for a visa for study preparation
Applicants interested in studying in Germany, especially when an entrance examination in Germany is required need to apply for a visa for study application
You contact the Visa section separately
Requirements
Application Form: available online, completed in English or German, signed by the applicant himself.
If the applicant is under 18, a signed form “letter of consent” needs to be attached including passport copies of parents/ legal Guardians.
Declaration of true and complete information is also available online and free of charge
Passport (special rules apply for some nationals whose passports do not recognize authority)
Validity minimum 1 year
signed by the bearer
passport not older than 10 years
at least 2 free visa pages
Clean and clear picture securely attached to/with passport
Old passport if applicable
Note: valid UAE residence permit
Three recent biometric passport-size photographs 3.5 x 4.5cm Requirements for photographs are
Should not be older than 6 months
A frontal view of the face covering 70-80% of the photo
A Uniform and a light-colored background
Clear facial features and eyes- not covered by hair or glasses frames
Head coverings are only accepted for religious reasons
Note: do not staple or glue the pictures to the application form
If Applicable: a previous day in Germany / previous Schengen visa
copies of your old German resident permit
copies of the previous generation
Details from your university in Germany:
Confirmed University admission(“Zulassungsbescheid”)
from A German University stating subject and begin of study(latest possible enrolment date must be at least 8 weeks in the future)
Must state the language of instruction
Confirmed language course (“Intensiv-Sprachkurs”) with conditional University admission (“bedingter Zulassungsbescheid”)
The course has to take place at least 18 hours per week over 6 months at a German language school (weekend or evening courses are insufficient.)
receipt/confirmation of language course payment for a minimum 3 months
proof of conditional university admission or letter of “uni-assist” or confirmation of admission as an Applicant
Confirmed admission to a preparation course for university (“Studienkolleg”)
Details regarding preparation and study
Proof of conditional University admission or entrance examination.
Knowledge of language
Proof of language Proficiency in English (TOEFL/IELTS)
Proof of language Proficiency in German
Proof of financial means: that cover your stay in Germany
Motivation Letter along with your CV In English or German Language
Documents of your previous education and skills
Note: All documents should be submitted in 3 sets. 1 original and 2 copies. Original documents will be returned to you after finalizing the application process. However, those documents which are not in German or English need to be translated into either language.
Application Process
Following are the application procedures to get a German student visa in the UAE
Find a study program in Germany in which you are interested and apply
Find out German diplomatic mission in the UAE
Get your appointment for your visa submission
Collect all the required documents
Submit your application
Wait for their reply
Then you can Enter into Germany
Application Process Duration
Generally, the German missions in UAE will take around 7 days to 12 weeks to process your student visa application after the interview. But if they ask for some more documents then it could take an additional few weeks.
Cost
Previously the German student visa fee was around EUR 75 or AED 300.96 but now it is reduced to EUR 37.4 or AED 150.48 for minors.
Fees will be paid to the German Embassy or Consulate in the United Arab Emirates with cash or credit card.
Germany Tourist & Visitor Visa
This visa-type holder is allowed to visit Germany and all other countries in the Schengen Area from the duration it is issued (max 90 days). So this visa is known as the German Schengen Visa. You have to apply for this visa if you plan to visit Germany for a period shorter than three months.
Note: You are not allowed to work or study when holding this type of visa otherwise one must apply for a student or work visa.
Requirements
Application Form: This should have complete and accurate information. Completed in English or German and signed at the end.
Declaration of Accuracy of Information
Photographs: passport-sized photographs that should be identical and fulfill the visa photo requirements
Valid National Passport: The passport should be no longer than 10 years old and have at least one blank page to affix the visa sticker on it and also to fulfill other passport requirements.
Bank Statement: Personal bank statement for the last three months
Schengen Health Insurance: A health insurance confirmation letter stating that it covers emergency medical treatment with a minimum of € 30,000.
Proof of Accommodation: a hotel stay booking in the Schengen region or invitation Letter from a family member or friend residing in any of the Schengen Countries.
Proof of Flight Reservation: use Visa consultation services as proof of flight reservation or find one online.
Proof of financial means:
A bank Statement: not older than three months
Letter of Sponsorship: from another person- Declaration of Commitment also known as “Verpflichtungserklärungen”.
If employed then Leave a letter from your company
No objection certificate
If you’re a student then your school or university will issue this certificate
If you are an employer then your employer or company where you work
If you are neither a student nor an employee then this certificate is not required.
A cover letter explaining why you wish to visit Germany, how long you intend to stay and what you will be doing there.
Invitation Letter from the person the applicant is visiting in Germany. This could be a sponsorship or private accommodation. This letter must contain information about the address, period of stay and contact details of the host.
Proof of Civil Status: e.g marriage or birth certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse or ration card etc
Driving license or utility bill that has your name is required as a proof of Residence in the consulate where you are planning to apply for the visa.
For Minors:
If the minor is traveling unaccompanied by the parent(s) then a consent letter signed by both parents is required
The form signed by both parents
Copy of parent(s) passport data page
German Visa with Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi Passport
Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who hold Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi passports need entry visas to travel to the Schengen area including Germany. However, if they hold UAE passports, then they can get free visas for travel to the Schengen areas.
Requirements
Pakistani, Indian, or Bangladeshi UAE Residents need to present the following documents when applying for a Schengen Visa
Application form
Valid Passport
Two photographs
Proof of Residence permit in UAE
Travel Flight Itinerary
Cover Letter
Proof of accommodation
Proof of financial means
Travel Insurance
Application Submission
Identify the Embassy or Consulate in the UAE
Schedule an appointment at the embassy, Consulate, or visa Centre
Attend Visa interview
Wait for the embassy’s response
Processing Time
Your application can take up to 15 days for further processing. After 15 days, you will receive a response regarding your application.
Conclusion
UAE residents, who hold a passport of the country that is not included in the 62 countries list of the Schengen visa agreement, need to apply for the German visa at the German Visa Centre or embassy in UAE. Emirati citizens don’t need a Visa for Germany as they can stay in the country for up to 90 days (within 180 days of the period). However, after 90 days of visa-free entry, Emirati citizens will be required to obtain a residence permit or visa. So if you want to fly to Germany then you need to fulfill all the requirements described above to get your Visa at the earliest.