Business Visa Types
Germany Business Visa Types and Application Processes
A German business visa is a short-term (C type) visa that must be obtained for business and fair visits or other professional reasons to travel to Germany. In case of a business trip, business meeting, fair visit and participation in other commercial events in Germany, individuals must apply for a German business visa. The German business visa, which is accepted as a Schengen visa, grants visa holders the right to stay in Germany for up to 90 days and to travel to Schengen countries, provided that it does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period.
What are the Germany Business Visa Requirements?
Germany business visa application requirements are listed below.
- Have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
- Being invited to a company meeting, fair or commercial event in Germany
- Proving that the trip to Germany will be for commercial reasons
- Documenting the sources from which commercial travel will be financed
- Obtaining a visa permit petition from the applicant’s workplace
- To be able to provide the applicant’s employment status and service record
Although the German business visa requirements are similar to the German visa requirements, they differ mainly in terms of proving that the travel is of a commercial nature.
How to Get a Germany Business Visa?
People who want to get a Germany business visa must first fill out the Germany Schengen visa application form; it is important to select the type of visa applied for as commercial in this form. The documents required for the business visa type, such as the invitation for the business trip to Germany and the document showing the applicant’s work in Turkey, must be completed completely. After the visa application petition is written and the necessary documents are completed, an online appointment must be made with the iDATA visa application center, which is the authorized intermediary institution for Germany visa applications.
Applicants who create an online iDATA appointment for a Germany business visa must personally go to the visa application center on the appointment date, submit the requested documents, pay the visa application fee and perform fingerprint procedures. After the document submission and biometric procedures, the visa application is forwarded to the German foreign mission for evaluation.
What are the Required Documents for a Germany Business Visa?
Germany business visa application documents are given below.
- Passport : You must have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of your travel date, was issued no more than 10 years ago, and has 2 blank pages.
- Biometric photo : A photograph with biometric features, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm in size, with a white background and taken within the last 6 months must be submitted with the application.
- Germany business visa application form : The Germany Schengen visa application form must be filled out completely, clearly including the details of business travel, and signed by the applicant.
- Germany visa application petition : A visa application petition must be prepared and signed by the applicant, including the Germany travel plan, institution and job position information.
- Commercial invitation letter : The original or fax of the invitation sent to the visa applicant by a commercial organization operating in Germany must be submitted. The invitation letter must include the title and address of the inviting company, the name and company information of the invitee, the requested visa and travel period, and the purpose of the travel; and if the travel expenses will be covered by the inviting organization, this must be explained.
- Fair participation certificate : For trips to Germany for the purpose of attending a fair, the visa applicant’s participant card showing his/her duty at the fair or, if only for visiting, the entrance ticket or invitation must be presented in the visa application. No visa fee is charged for visa applications made with the fair participation card.
- Accommodation and transportation reservations : The applicant must submit ticket reservations for the means of transportation to and from Germany and for the duration of the trip, as well as reservation information for the facilities where the applicant will stay during the trip.
- Travel health insurance : Travel health insurance covering the entire duration of the trip and with a coverage of at least 30,000 Euros can be obtained through authorized insurance agencies. The travel health insurance, which must be valid in the entire Schengen area, must be presented in its original, stamped and signed photocopy.
- Bank account statement : The last three months’ bank account statement or bank book of the relevant company must be attached to the application.
- Additional income documents : If available, other income sources such as the applicant’s real estate title deed, motor vehicle license, lease agreement showing rental income and stock certificates must be reported.
- Additional documents requested from insured employees : If the visa applicant is an insured employee, certain German commercial visa documents are requested. Employee applicants must submit a company petition containing the company information they work for, signed and stamped pay slips covering the last 3 months, employment contracts signed with their workplaces, a barcoded employment statement obtained from the Social Security Institution and a barcoded Social Security Institution registration and service record.
- Additional documents requested from company owners : If the person applying for a German business visa is a company owner; an activity certificate obtained from the chamber of commerce where the company is registered at least 6 months ago and a copy of the chamber of commerce registry record, a copy of the trade registry gazette clearly stating the company names and showing that the company is an owner or partner, and an up-to-date tax certificate for the last year must be added to the documents requested for the visa application.
- Documents required from self-employed individuals : Individuals who are self-employed and apply for a German business visa must submit the original and a photocopy of the registration document showing that they are affiliated with a professional chamber, a certified photocopy of their professional identity card (if any), and a photocopy of the tax certificate for the last year.
- Visa fee receipt : The receipt showing that the Germany Schengen visa fee has been paid must be submitted with the application documents.
How to Write a Sample Germany Business Visa Invitation Letter?
Applicants for a German business visa must submit an invitation letter that includes the purpose and details of their business trip to Germany. The invitation letter, which will be written in an official language and addressed to the foreign representative of Germany, must be submitted on the letterhead of the inviting company. The German business visa invitation sample can be submitted in its original or by fax.
The content of the commercial invitation letter must include the full name and address of the inviting company, the full name of the invited applicant and the company information he/she works for, his/her position in the company, the duration of the requested visa, the purpose and duration of the trip. If the business travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the inviter, this must be stated in the visa invitation letter. The invitation letter to be presented must prove that the trip to Germany is of a commercial nature.
A sample business visa invitation letter is given below.
How to Write a Sample Germany Business Visa Petition?
The sample Germany business visa petition is addressed to the German Consulate. In the visa application petition; it should be explained that the person applying for the visa is an insured employee or a company owner, the duty and position of the person applying for the visa in the company he/she works for should be clearly stated. The purpose and duration of the business trip to be made, the requested business visa period and who will finance the business trip and with what resources should be included in the visa application petition.
How to Fill Out the Germany Business Visa Application Form?
Germany business visa applications, the visa application form used for type C Schengen visas must be filled out. The visa application form includes the identity, passport and contact information of the applicant, as well as information on the type of visa requested. It should be noted that the relevant items in the visa application form indicate that the trip is commercial in nature and for business or fair visits.
The questions in the Germany visa application form, which can be filled out in printed form or online, must be answered with accurate and consistent information and the entire form must be filled out completely. The identity information section on the form must be filled in as written in the applicant’s passport and the form must be signed by the applicant with a wet signature.
How Much Does a Germany Business Visa Cost?
Fee information for the Germany business visa is given in the table below.
| Services | Fees |
|---|---|
| Germany business visa fee | 80 EUR |
| Filling out the application form and petition | 20 EUR |
| Meeting | Free |
| Biometrics operations | 40 EUR |
| Travel Health Insurance | 15 EUR |
| Consulting service | 25 EUR |
| Total | 180 EUR |
How Long Does a Germany Business Visa Take?
A German business visa is granted for a maximum of 5 years for situations where long-term travel is required, but the visa holder has the right to stay in Germany for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
Where to Get a Business Visa for Germany?
Business visa applications for Germany are made through intermediary institutions and accredited agencies. It is not possible to apply for a business visa directly to the German Consulate.
For visa applications to be made from Istanbul, the German Consulate in Istanbul does not accept commercial visa applications and an appointment must be made at the visa application center of the relevant intermediary institution.
Can I Establish a Company in Germany with a German Trade Visa?
With a German business visa, it is possible for Turkish citizens to establish a company within the 90-day period they are in Germany by meeting the necessary conditions.
Citizens of the Republic of Turkey who want to establish a company in Germany and work for more than 3 months must apply for a German business establishment visa and residence permit. Those who will serve as general managers of companies in Germany are required to obtain a work and residence permit.
What Rights Does Establishing a Company in Germany Provide?
Citizens of the Republic of Turkey and their families who have an investor visa or a freelance visa to establish a company in Germany have the right to a residence permit in Germany. Citizens who establish a company with an investor visa and obtain a residence permit are granted the right to apply for German citizenship after residing in Germany for 6 to 8 years. People who establish a company in Germany have the opportunity to work and establish a business or open a company branch within the borders of the European Union.
How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Germany Business Visa?
The average processing time for a Germany business visa is 15 days.
The processing time for Germany work visa applications may be extended due to the failure to provide all required documents for the visa application, incorrect information being included in the documents, or due to congestion at foreign missions.
What is the address and telephone information of the German Commercial Attaché?
The German Commercial Attaché is located at Tiergartenstrasse 19-21, 10785, Berlin. The telephone number of the German Commercial Attaché is +49 30 27898030, the e-mail address is [email protected] and the official website is http://www.musavirlikler.gov.tr.