The first step toward obtaining German citizenship is obtaining a national visa.
Benefits of moving to Germany
Germans reasonably consider their country civilized, developed, and comfortable in all respects. Many have heard about the advantages of living here which is why the migration flow to Germany is stable and endless. Here are some of the advantages of living in Germany that attract foreigners:
Excellent ecology
In Germany, the cleanliness of the environment is very carefully monitored. Purified water even flows from the taps. The air purity is also amazing here, especially when you consider how many industrial facilities there are in Germany.
High quality of life
The German government provides its residents with the opportunity to receive high stable salaries. Many government programs guarantee stability and confidence in the future. Even new migrants may not worry that they will be left to their own devices. Financial subsidies are provided by German law for representatives of all categories of the population.
A good education
Students in Germany can not only get a quality education in decent local universities but also count on further employment. Employees of private German companies and various corporations are constantly undergoing training courses and improving their work skills.
High level of quality of medical services
German medicine is known all over the world. It has qualified medical personnel, the latest equipment, and the best medicines. Even the most complex diseases are treated in Germany, and foreigners often come to German clinics.
The national visa to Germany
It is a long-term entry document that is made by yourself through the Embassy or Consulate-General. It gives its owner a very wide range of possibilities. If you have a national visa D, you can find a job, enter an educational institution, move for a long time with relatives, get married, etc.
A standard D-visa is valid for 3-6 months. The term may change if it is known in advance that the total time spent in Germany will not exceed 1 year.
For a long-term stay in Germany, you must obtain a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), which is issued by the institution responsible for foreigners’ appeals (Auslaenderbehoerde).
Multiple entries and exits from the country are not prohibited by the rules of the D-visa.
Reasons for receiving the national visa to
Obtaining a national visa to Germany in 2021 is relevant in many cases, the most common of which are:
- Marriage with a resident of Germany or the EU, reunification with a minor child with German citizenship;
- A student exchange, education, professional development, language courses;
- Salaried work, labor practice, a long-term business trip abroad, business, research, and scientific activities;
- Involvement in late German settlers and migrants of Jewish origin.
Required documents in obtaining the national visa
The list of documents directly depends on the purpose of the visit to Germany in 2021. Documents are divided into 2 types: basic and additional. Basic documents are required for absolutely all applicants. Additional documents are collected and served based on a specific purpose.
So, the main package of documents includes:
- Completed visa application form with signatures;
- Foreign passport in original (expiration date – not less than 90 days after leaving Germany);
- Two-color photographs 3.5 × 4.5 cm;
- Copy of your passport;
- Tickets (or booking tickets) for any type of transport, indicating the date of return, as well as booking a hotel or private place of residence with dates;
- Medical insurance (minimum coverage amount – from 30,000 €);
- Receipt for full payment of the consular fee;
- Documents confirming the financial viability of the applicant: certificate of employment (if any), bank statement, sponsorship letter from a person willing to pay for the trip.
Terms of obtaining the national visa
The submitted applications can be considered from 2 weeks to 6 months. The speed of consideration is influenced by:
- Reasons for the trip;
- Checking a vacancy for the work purpose of the trip;
- Checking the diploma for compliance with German standards;
- The embassy in the home country of the immigrant can send a request to Germany, where the decision will be made by the competent authorities.
Cost of the national visa to Germany
The standard consular fee is 75 euros; children receive a 50% discount. Some categories of migrants are exempted from paying the fee (grant holders, children, and spouses of German citizens). The exact amount of the fee to foreigners is announced at the German embassy on the day of submission of documents.