Visa and Passport requirements

Please note that certain passport holders and, definitely, all South African Passport holders require a visa to enter Germany. Should travellers intend visiting other European Countries, then the SCHENGEN VISA (which covers all the European Union Countries) must be obtained from the Consulate of the European country in which you intend to stay for the longest period. If however, the intention is only to visit Germany, applications must be made to the German Embassy and the requirements are as follows:

  • Valid passport, valid for at least six months after the expiry of the visa.
  • At least one clear page without any visa stamps.
  • One application form completed and signed by the applicant.
  • One passport size colour photograph. NB. DO NOT STAPLE TO THE APPLICATION FORM - LEAVE LOOSE OR USE A PAPER CLIP
  • If holding the new dark green passport, please sign on page 32.
  • Proof of purchase of travellers cheques or foreign currency. (Your tickets will be issued well in advance of your departure, allowing time to purchase your travellers cheques).
  • Your official foreign exchange receipt.
  • Original airline ticket, plus photocopy of ticket.
  • Itinerary of entire trip.
  • Letter to German Embassy on your companies letter head, (not a photocopy) confirming the applicants position in the company and their permanent employment.
  • Additional documents such as:
  • a. Proof of Medical Insurance - PLEASE NOTE: The German Consulate will no longer accept payment of air ticket by credit card as giving sufficient medical/travel cover. It will now be necessary to take out additional cover - Rates obtainable from Trade Fair Travel.
  • b. Proof of accommodation (hotel voucher)
CURRENT VISA COST: Consular charges are approximately R300,00 but fluctuate according to the exchange rates.
VISA PROCESS TIME: 2 to 14 working days.

If obtained by Trade Fair Travel we would raise an administration fee of R260,00 plus vat, over and above any Consular and Courier Charges.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL FIRST TIME APPLICANTS FOR A SCHENGEN VISA, OR APPLICANTS WHO HAVE NO SCHENGEN VISA IN THEIR CURRENT PASSPORT, MUST APPLY IN PERSON TO THE GERMAN EMBASSY, GERMAN CONSULATE-GENERAL, OR CONSULAR OFFICIAL IN THEIR AREA.

For those wishing to apply for their own visas, the German Consul General is located at:

 PRETORIA:
  • German Embassy (visa section)
  • "Hadefields"
  • Building B,1st floor, Embassy House
  • 1267 Pretorius St
  • Hatfield, Pretoria
  • Tel: (012) 4278999 Fax:(012) 4278984

    • Office hours: Mon - Fri 07.30-11.00
    Collections: Mon - Fri 11.45 - 12.30    		  CAPETOWN:
  • German Consulate - General
  • Safmarine House
  • 19th Floor 22 Riebeek St
  • Capetown
  • Tel: (021) 4053000 Fax:(021) 4210400

    • Office hours: Mon - Fri. 09.00-12.00

       

    (The Authorities reserve the right to request applicants for a personal interview)

    Please ensure that your passport is valid, as it can now take up to 3 months for a new passport to be issued. All the above details are subject to change and are for guidance only.
     
    NB- This information is for guidance only, and may change