You have been issued a short-stay visa/ type C-visa for the territories of the Schengen member states?

As soon as you receive your short-stay visa, make sure that all the information it contains is correct.

Check the following:

• Check that your name is spelled correctly and corresponds with the machine readable line on the bottom line on the data page of your passport. If your middle name is noted in the passport but not mentioned in the machine readable line, it is as well not printed on the visa.
• Your passport has a passport number. This number is indicated on the visa sticker. Make sure that these numbers are the same.
• You applied for your visa for a specific period. Check that your air ticket corresponds with the entry and exit dates indicated on the visa sticker, respectively is within the period.
• Check that the number of entries you applied for (one, two, or multiple) corresponds with the number of entries indicated on your visa sticker. With one entry you can travel within the countries of the countries of the Schengen members with one entry.

Do this yourself in order to avoid any problems or extra costs arising when using your visa. If you think that the information on the visa is incorrect, inform the Embassy/Consulate General immediately, so that any errors can be corrected. Please mention your visa application number as well when contacting the mission by e-mail.

How to read the visa sticker

“DURATION OF STAY………DAYS” 

The number printed on your visa sticker indicates the number of days, you may stay in the Schengen area. The days should be counted from the date you enter the Schengen area (the entry stamp) to the date you exit the Schengen area (the exit stamp), in example both days included. If you have been granted a visa with long-term validity (for example one year), the entry in this field indicates the number of days you may spend in the Schengen area within a period of 6 months. The period of time between “FROM …UNTIL” is usually longer than the number of days printed in the “DURATION OF STAY” field.

The difference in period is only in case of unforeseen circumstances to give you flexibility to plan your entry into and exit from the Schengen area, but your stay in the Schengen area must never exceed the exact number of days in the “DURATION OF STAY …DAYS” field (in case of visas with long-term validity: within a period of six months, see above). No matter how many days you have stayed in the Schengen area, you must leave no later than the date printed in the “UNTIL” field."

The short-stay calculator can be used for calculating the period of allowed stay. The user's guide contains information on these rules, the use of the calculator and practical examples.

Controls at the border

Your short-stay visa allows you to travel to Germany and to other Schengen member states (if not otherwise specified). It does not automatically give you the right to enter the Schengen area. So, you may have to provide certain information at border or other controls. You may, for instance, have to provide information on your means of support, how long you intend to stay in Germany/Schengen States, and why you are visiting Germany/Schengen States. In some cases, such checks may result in a refusal for the visa holder to enter the Schengen area by the border police.

It is therefore recommended that you carry with you copies of the documents which you presented when you applied for the visa (for example letters of invitation, travel confirmations, other documents stating the purpose of your stay, health insurance). This will help to make the border control procedure easier and avoid delays at the border.
important: Make sure to have sufficient personal travel health insurance covering your travel.

Please note: Even with a visa, the final decision on entry is the responsibility of the border police and entry can be denied by them. You must keep to the period of stay allowed by your visa. Misuse and overstay may result in you being expelled and banned from obtaining a new visa.

According to the Schengen Agreement, tourist and business visas issued by a mission of one of the following countries are valid for travel to Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. However, your main destination has to be country who has issued the visa. 

You have been issued a long-stay visa, type D-visa for Germany ?

As soon as you receive your visa, make sure that all the information it contains is correct.

Check the following:

• Check that your name is spelled correctly and corresponds with the machine readable line on the bottom line on the data page of your passport. If your middle name is noted in the passport but not mentioned in the machine readable line, it is as well not printed on the visa.
• Your passport has a passport number. This number is indicated on the visa sticker. Make sure that these numbers are the same.
• With your application you have requested the visa to be valid as of a specific date. Check that your travel itinerary corresponds with the dates indicated on the visa sticker. The visa is not valid for arrival in Germany or another Schengen member state before the first day of validity stated on the visa label.

Citizens of Japan, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well as EU citizens may enter before the day of entry stated on the visa. Nevertheless, they may only take up employment upon the date as printed on the visa issued with the authorization of the employment.

How to read the visa sticker

“DURATION OF STAY XX DAYS” 

The number printed on your visa sticker indicates the number of days, you may stay. If there is printed XX means that there are no specific days as the within the period of time between “FROM …UNTIL”.

The missions are only able to issue visa up to a validity of one year. You need to contact the local immigration office in Germany for the prolongation, if necessary, in due time.

If you think that the information on the visa is incorrect, inform the Embassy/Consulate General immediately, so that any errors can be corrected. Please mention your visa application number as well when contacting the mission by e-mail.

Please note that you need to register your new residence (Anmeldung) with the authorities (Meldebehörde/Einwohnermeldeamt) within two weeks of having moved in. The issued visa is only issued for a certain period the prolongation for your residence permit has to be applied for at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.

A national visa /D-type entitles you to transit through the other Schengen member states. The stay in other Schengen member states is limited for tourism purposes for up to 90 days within 180 days.

Information: Even with a visa, the final decision on entry is the responsibility of the border police and entry can be denied by them.