Visa - short term (Schengen)

Schengen-Karte Enlarge image (© Maix - Wikipedia) According to the so-called Schengen agreement, a Schengen Visa entitles the holder to an accumulated stay of up to 90 days within a period of 6 months for 26 European Countries. 

These 26 European Countries are: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, LiechtensteinLithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland (Schengen Area). With only one (Schengen) visa you can travel to all the above-mentioned countries.

Beginning on December 19, 2011, Schengen visas issued on or prior to that date entitle the holder to enter Liechtenstein. On the same date, Liechtenstein also began issuing Schengen visas, which enable entry into other Schengen states.

You must submit your application for a Schengen Visa to the representative of the country which is your main destination. This usually means you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the country where you intend to spend most of your time. If no such main destination can be ascertained, please contact the representative of the country where you will first enter into the Schengen States.

In order to facilitate your travel arrangements, the German Embassy has summed up all relevant information and attached the necessary visa requirements in order to apply for a visa for the Federal Republic of Germany. Please make certain to review the requirements carefully and adhere to them, as this this will save you valuable time and effort throughout the visa procedure. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. In this respect, please pay special attention to our photo chart as photos for visa application forms need to meet specific criteria.

Business trip

Business Visa (Schengen)

You are meeting a supplier, a client or you are attending a trade fair in Germany? Please apply for a business visa.

Schengen Visa

Requirements for a Visitor's Visa

To visit friends or family or simply to tour Germany please apply for a visitor's visa. This category also applies, if you accompany your spouse, who is on a business trip.

Reisehinweise für Minderjährige

Special Requirements for a Minor's Visa

If a minor travels to Germany, be it in company of the parents, as part of a youth tour or as individual, special requirements will have to be met.

Surgery

Visa for medical treatment

Are you travelling to Germany in order to undergo medical treatment, please adhere to these requirements.

Humboldt Foundation Fellows at Annual Meeting in Berlin

Visa for offical trips on invitation of German institutions

Holders of South African official passports on official trip upon invitation by a German Government Agency do require a visa. PLEASE NOTE: also Holders of South African official passports on official trip entering the Schengen area through a German airport do require a visa, regardless whether the Schengen country of your main destination excempts holders of South African official passports from visa requirements.

Business trip

Transit Visa

If you transit through an international airport in Germany with your final destination being a country outside the Schengen area, you may need an airport transit visa. PLEASE NOTE, that entering the Schengen area through an airport in Germany just to continue your trip into another Schengen area is NOT considered to be a transit. You will have to apply for a visa at the Embassy representing the Schengen country of your main destination.

Reunion at the airport

Visa for spouses of German/EU citizen

Special visa regulations apply to spouses of German and other EU nationals.

Visa - short term

Index

Opening hours and contact details of the Visa Sections

Visa Section Pretoria

Application submissions only after prior booking online or via phone 
0861 00 22 45 (Mon-Fri, 8:00-17:00).

Online Appointments

Opening Hours Applications:
Monday-Friday

 07:30 - 12:00

Collections (Counter 1)
Monday-Friday

 12:00 - 13:00

Public Holidays 2011

Telephone and e-mail enquiries:

Monday-Thursday

09:00 - 15:00

Friday

09:00 - 13:00

Telephone

+27 (0)12 427 8974

Enquiries via e-mail

Further information on visas

Comment

Unfortunately, there is no parking available on the premises. For visitors with disabilities, parking can be arranged.

Address

1267 Pretorius Street "Hadefields Office Park", Hatfield, Pretoria 0083

Directions

Fax:
+27 (0)12 427 8984 (please do not send any documents prior to application submission)

Visa Section Cape Town


Visa application only after prior booking 

by phone 

0861 00 22 45 (Mon-Fri, 8:00-17:00)

or

Online Appointments

.

Telephone and e-mail enquiries:

Monday - Thursday only

14:00 - 16:00
Telephone
+27 (0)21 405 3052
Fax
+27 (0)21 405 3010

Enquiries via e-mail

Further information on visas
Opening Hours for Applications:
Monday-Friday

 09:00 - 12:00

Public Holidays 2011
Directions to our office

.

Address

Physical address:

19th floor Triangle House
22 Riebeek Street
Cape Town

Postal address:

P.O. Box 4273 

Cape Town, 8000

Book your appointment online or via phone

Calender

Please use our online appointment system to schedule personal interviews for Visa applications. Through Intergate Visalink CC, you can book your appointment via phone (0861-002245) or online. A 75 Rand fee will be charged for this service. By booking your appointment, waiting times are greatly reduced and you have the option to have your passport delivered via courier for a fee of 150 Rand. If you do not wish to use this service you may contact the German Missions directly by phone book your appointment free of charge. Please note that because priority is given to appointments booked via Intergate, this can result in a waiting period of several weeks and the courier option will not apply.

VISA - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Information on Visa Fees

South African Rand

The fee for a Schengen Visa is 60.00 Euro, payable in South African Rand at the current exchange rate. Exemptions from the visa fee are possible for certain types of visas. Please note that we are in the process of introducing payment by credit card. However, until further notice only cash payments can be accepted for visa applications.

Biometric specifications for photos

Biometric passport photo

High-quality photos are essential for the perfect reproduction of the image and are a prerequisite for using facial biometrics in ID documents. These sample photos show the features which ensure that photos are suitable for use in ID documents.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Reader Logo

PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it installed on your computer, you can download it for free.