Kanzlei Boris Zimmermann
The Zimmermann law firm advises and assists numerous business people, companies and private individuals from outside Europe who pursue interests in Germany. In particular, we have experience with clients who are temporarily entering Germany for business purposes, as well as with foreign clients who wish to come to Germany on a permanent basis. In this context, we also assist our clients in obtaining a business visa. A business visa to Germany is a Schengen visa for short stays for business purposes, which allows the holder to enter Germany for up to 90 days within 6 months.
Five Steps to Follow to Obtain a Business Visa to Germany
- Determine which type of visa you need based on the purpose and length of your trip.
- Gather all necessary documents.
- Obtain a detailed invitation letter from the company you will be visiting in Germany, or a letter of support from your employer.
- Submit your visa application to the German embassy or consulate in your home country, along with all required documents.
- Wait for your visa application to be processed. The processing time can vary, so it’s important to apply well in advance of your planned trip.
Required Documents to Obtain a Germany Business Visa
The specific requirements and application process for a business visa to Germany can vary depending on your country of origin and the purpose of your trip. In general, however, you will need to provide the following documents as part of your visa application (including but not limited to):
- A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity and at least two blank pages
- A completed visa application form
- 2 passport-sized photos
- Flight plan
- proof of health insurance
- proof of hotel reservations
- proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in Germany
- proof of martial status (if applicable)
- an invitation letter from the company you will be visiting in Germany, or a letter of support from your employer, details of your business
- proof of your professional qualifications or background, if relevant to your trip
- Registration of your business/ company
- Detailed itinerary for your trip
Crucial Requirements
In particular, the following requirements must be met:
- an invitation letter from the company you will be visiting in Germany, or a letter of support from your employer, details of your business
- proof of your professional qualifications or background, if relevant to your trip
You must justify your intention to travel with a business purpose. As a rule, a mere letter of invitation from a German company is not sufficient for this purpose. Your business trip, your business activities in your home country, your personal background and your intended business activities in Germany must be presented to the authorities in a coherent and comprehensible manner.
Rejections of visa applications are often due to the fact that the two aforementioned points are not sufficiently substantiated and that it has not been made credible that the applicant meets the requirements. Not all consulates give reasons for their rejections. Especially for applicants from countries such as Pakistan, Egypt and Nigeria, it is important to sufficiently present and substantiate the necessity and seriousness of the intention to travel.
Even if your application has been rejected due to such (or other) deficiencies, we will support you in substantiating your application, especially with regard to the aforementioned points. We will demonstrate your business activities and intentions in Germany to the authorities and explain the necessity of your visit. We support applicants from all countries. If a visa agency is obligatory in your country (e. g. Kuwait), we will be happy to handle any correspondence.
Please keep in mind that you will have to present your case convincingly at the interview at the embassy or consulate. Accordingly, your documents should be well prepared.
Alternative to Germany (Schengen) Business Visa
It’s also worth noting that you may be able to apply for a Schengen visa, which allows for short-term stays in Germany and other countries within the Schengen area. A Schengen visa can be used for business purposes, such as attending meetings or conferences, but it cannot be used for long-term work or study.
Mistakes to Avoid
When applying for a business visa to Germany, it’s important to avoid the following (common) mistakes:
- Failing to determine the correct type of visa for your trip.
- Not gathering all of the necessary documents.
- Submitting an incomplete or inaccurate visa application form.
- Not allowing enough time for the visa application process.
- Not following up on the status of your application.
Consult us during the preparation of your application and avoid unnecessary mistakes or wasted time.
If your Germany Business Visa Application is Denied
If your business visa application to Germany is denied, you can take the following steps:
- Review the reason for denial provided by the German embassy or consulate. This information could be included in the notification you receive when your visa application is denied.
- Address any issues or concerns that led to the denial of your visa. For example, if your application was denied due to insufficient funds, you may need to provide additional evidence of your financial resources.
- Submit a new visa application, along with any additional documents or information required to address the reasons for the previous denial.
- If you are unable to obtain a visa despite your best efforts, you may need to consider alternative options for your trip to Germany, such as applying for a different type of visa.
A rejected visa application does not mean that you cannot successfully apply for a business visa in the future. If necessary, the rejected application must also be addressed when submitting a new application. We will be happy to assist you in this regard.