This checklist is also available in Somali and Tigrinya:

• Dal-ku-galka Qoyska ee Qaxootiga Soomaalida iyo Ereteriya
• ቪዛ ምትእኽኻብ ስድራቤት ንሶማላውያንን ኤርትራውያንን ስደተኛታት

To apply for a national visa, the following documents have to be provided by the applicant. Documents that are not presented either in German or English have to be submitted together with a translation into German or English by an in the European Union sworn translator plus one copy of the translation.

Please note:

• Laminated documents are not accepted.
• You are required to submit one copy of every provided original document. Copies that are damaged or stapled are not accepted.
• Incomplete applications may be denied.

General documents:

1. One completely filled and signed application form per applicant. Please use the Videx application form for national visasin order to speed up the application process and to reduce your waiting time.
2. One signed security declaration
3. One recent biometrical passport photograph with a bright background (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm). The photo has to show the facial features from the chin to the hairline as well as the left and right half of the face: sample chart for passport photos
4. A valid passport plus one copies of the ID pages
   >Notice: According to Section 3 of the German Residence Act, foreigners may enter or stay in the federal territory only if they possess a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute. In consequence, any foreigner entering Germany is obliged to provide a valid passport. Submitting a passport should significantly reduce the processing time
5. Only for Eritrean citizens: Eritrean ID card plus one copy of both the front and the reverse, ERI proof of residence (does not replace an identity document)
6. Proof of habitual abode in Ethiopia (Proof of Registration (PoR) from UNHCR or Ethiopian residence permit which has been valid for at least six months) in the original plus one copy
   PLEASE NOTE: According to the knowledge of the German Embassy, an exit authorisation, so-called “exit visa”, is required for departure from Ethiopia. This exit visa is issued by the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS). However, adult Eritrean nationals living in Ethiopia currently only receive an exit permit if they are registered as refugees or have paid a fine for their irregular stay in Ethiopia. The German Embassy currently has no information on whether and when the Ethiopian government will resume the registration of refugees. Please contact the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS, https://rrs.et/contact-us/) for information on the current favourable departure regulations. A visa for entry to Germany alone does not allow you to leave Ethiopia and is generally only valid for three months. This means that the German Embassy can issue a visa if all requirements are met and a passport is presented. However, if you are unable to leave Ethiopia before the visa expires, you will have to make a new appointment or register on the waiting list again and apply for a new visa.
7. Birth certificate; original plus one copy, authenticated*
8. Proof that the application process was started before the deadline – one copy (if an initial application was made to meet the deadline)
9. Passport of the family member in Germany; one copy
10. Residence permit of the family member in Germany; one copy
11. Current residence registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung); one copy
12. Notification of recognition from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) for the family member in Germany, including incontestability notice; one copy
13. If represented by someone else, e.g. a lawyer or helper: original power of attorney
14. EUR 75 (EUR 37,50 for children) (fee payable in ETB; converted at the current exchange rate used by the Embassy cash office)

*Only for Eritrean citizens: Authenticated by Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Subsequent immigration of spouses

1. If married at a registry office: original authenticated* marriage certificate plus one copy
2. If married in a religious ceremony or under customary law: proof of religious/customary marriage; original with one copy
   AND original authenticated* civil marriage certificate (Issuance of the civil marriage certificate takes place after registration of the religious marriage or after registration of a marriage under customary law) with one copy.
3. If marriage took place after arrival of sponsor in Germany: Proof of German language skills at level A1. It has to be proven by a recognised language certificate of level A1 German. Further details can be found on the information sheet of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees available at www.integration-in-deutschland.de (original and one copy).
4. If marriage took place outside of Eritrea: All documents which serve as proof of a valid marriage according to the applicable local law, original and one copy
5. If available: (is not replacing the obligatory supplying of civil certificates)

• Images of the marriage ceremony
• Testimonials/university degree/work contract/employment reference
• Proof of financial support by the family member living in Germany
• Chat/E-Mail correspondence across the period of separation
• Detailed proof of telephone calls
• Proof of visits by the family member living in Germany

*Only for Eritrean citizens: by Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Subsequent immigration of children

1. If the parents were married at a registry office: original authenticated* marriage certificate plus one copy
2. If the parents were married in a religious ceremony or under customary law: proof of religious/customary marriage; original with one copy AND original authenticated* civil marriage certificate (Issuance of the civil marriage certificate takes place after registration of the religious marriage or after registration of a marriage under customary law) with one copy
3. In cases where the parents are not married to each other or one of the parents will not travel to Germany or is deceased: Proof of legal custody of the child (e.g. authenticated court order), original and two (2) copies; if applicable, consent of the parent who is not travelling to Germany for the child to permanently stay in Germany / authenticated death certificate, in each case the original and one copy
4. School testimonials
5. Children health and growth card
6. Vaccination card

All documents/texts must be translated into German or English language by an in the European Union sworn translator.

Subsequent immigration to join a recognized minor refugee

1. If the parents were married at a registry office: original authenticated* marriage certificate plus one copy
2. If the parents were married in a religious ceremony or under customary law: proof of religious/customary marriage; original with one copy
   AND original authenticated* civil marriage certificate (Issuance of the civil marriage certificate takes place after registration of the religious marriage or after registration of a marriage under customary law) with one copy
3. In cases where the parents are not married to each other or one of the parents will not travel to Germany or is deceased: Proof of legal custody of the child (e.g. authenticated court order), original and one copy;
4. if applicable, consent of the parent who is not travelling to Germany for the child to permanently stay in Germany / authenticated death certificate, in each case the original and one copy
5. If available:

• Images of the marriage ceremony of the parents
• Testimonials/university degree/work contract/employment reference
• Chat/E-Mail correspondence across the period of separation

All documents/texts must be translated into German or English language by an in the European Union sworn translator.

*Only for Eritrean citizens: Authenticated by Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Please find the Embassy's address here.

For questions beyond the detailed information provided on the website, please contact the visa section via the contact form.