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Visas and Entry

Arriving in Germany

Arriving in Germany © dpa

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Ugandans, South Sudanese or non-EU nationals need a visa in order to enter Germany.
The type of visa you require depends on how long you plan to stay. Are you planning a short visit to Germany, e.g. for a holiday? Or would you like to stay longer, e.g. to attend university?

Choose between short- and long-term Visa and find more information on application process, renewal & current restrictions here:

Further Information

Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions regarding the visa process, that we cannot respond to individually.

Visa FAQs

We hope you understand that we cannot respond individually to questions featured in this catalogue. Have you not found the answer to your question? Send us an email. One of our help desk staff will…

FAQ Study Visa

The Federal Foreign Office will use your personal data when processing your application. Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. The following…

Information in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR)

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Schengen Visa

Are you planning a short term visit to Germany which does not exceed 90 days? Do you want to visit a friend in Germany, attend a business meeting or need medical treatment? Here you can find information on the application process and required documents for a Schengen Visa.

Visaetikett
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National / Long-term Visas

National visas are issued for long-term stays for a particular purpose. Usually issued for 90 days, in rare occassions it may be issued for up to a year. After entering Germany, visa holders must apply for a residence permit.

Visumetikett

Digital registration of entry and exits into the Schengen area (EES)

The digital Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational on 10 April 2026. The system is used at the external borders of all EU member states (with the exception of Cyprus and Ireland), in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The EES digitally records the entries and exits of individuals travelling to the Schengen area for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). Exempt from this requirement are, among others, citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, in addition to holders of residence permits and visas for long-term stays.

The EES does not change entry and residence requirements. The changes only affect procedures at border control points; travellers themselves do not need to take any further action:

  • Upon entry, in addition to personal information and travel document details, biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) are collected.
  • Travel documents will no longer be stamped manually. Entries and exits will be recorded digitally in compliance with European data protection law.
  • At selected airports, travellers will find self-service systems to speed up the process.

Further information is available on the website of the European Union.

Entry-/Exit System

Visa Navigator

Which visa do I need for Germany?

I want to travel to Germany as a tourist, on business, for my studies, to work, or to join family members who live there.

Which visa should I apply for?

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