Basic Travel Requirements for Gambians visiting
Germany
Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to
apply for a German Visa.
- A Gambian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
- Duly completed and signed visa application form.
- If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
- Passport-size photographs (35 mm x 45 mm) taken in white background.
- Travel document.
- Copy of return flight ticket
- Proof of financial support
- Proof of accommodation
- Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
- Copy of travel itinerary.
- Valid travel insurance which has a coverage of €30,000 for medical insurance.
Germany Visa for Gambians
Facts about Germany
Visiting Germany is a vacation worth taking for every traveler. Asides from being one of the safest travel destinations in the world, the country is rich in history, culture, outdoor activities, and of course its cities. The country is home to the world’s leading trade fairs, the ITB Berlin. Also, the Oktoberfest which takes place in Munich between September and October is one of the main events which draws a lot of tourists to the country. The Oktoberfest draws as much as 6 million tourists to the country yearly. Tourists in the country also have the liberty of engaging in winter sports like alpine skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding, and cross-country skiing in various regions in the country.
Germany is the ninth most visited country in the world. In 2012, over 30.4 million international tourists visited the country bringing over $38 billion in international tourism. The tourism industry is responsible for contributing 4.5% of the German GDP and provides 2 million jobs. The number of visitors is expected to increase significantly in the years to come.
Types of Germany Visa
| Types of Visa | Processing Time | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | 10-15 days | 90 days |
| Business visa | 10-15 days | 90 days |
| Student visa | 10-15 days | more than 90 days |
General Requirements for Germany Visa
- A Gambian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
- Duly completed and signed visa application form.
- If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
- Passport-size photographs (35 mm x 45 mm) taken in white background.
- Travel document.
- Copy of return flight ticket
- Proof of financial support
- Proof of accommodation
- Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
- Copy of travel itinerary.
- Valid travel insurance which has a coverage of €30,000 for medical insurance.
Germany Tourist Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- The German tourist visa is for Gambians travelling to Germany for tourism purposes.
- Germany is a Schengen country so you can apply for a Schengen visa.
- The German Schengen tourist visa is valid for 90 days. The visa is also extendable.
- You should submit a confirmation letter from your health insurance stating coverage for emergency medical treatment with a minimum of €30,000.
- Proof of accommodation must be provided. This can be a hotel booking for your whole stay in the Schengen region, or a letter of invitation by a family member or friend residing in any of the Schengen countries.
- Proof of financial means must be presented. This could be in the form of a bank statement not older than three months, OR a letter of sponsorship by another person (Declaration of Commitment).
- A cover letter must be provided by the applicant. This personal cover letter should explain the reason why you wish to visit Germany, how long you intend to stay there, and what you will be doing there.
- A visa interview is required. The interview may last around 20 minutes, during which the visa consular will ask you questions about your trip and will require your documents.
- The currency restriction for entry into Germany is €10,000 euros.
- Germany has strict customs regulations concerning:
- Temporary importation or exportation of firearms.
- Military artefacts (particularly those of World War II).
- Antiques.
- Medications/pharmaceuticals.
- Business equipment.
- Under German law, it is illegal to bring into or take out of Germany any literature, music, or paraphernalia that glorifies fascism, the Nazi past, or the “Third Reich.
- Credit cards are not as widely accepted in Germany. However, ATMs are widely available throughout Germany.
- Germany has a lot of fun places and events in stock for visitors. These include The Old Town Hall in Bamberg, the Schwerin Castle, Nuremberg Christmas Market, Octoberfest, Cologne Cathedral, and many others.
- If you are transiting through Germany en route to other countries, you should be aware of all entry and exit requirements for your final destination.
- Incorrect documentation might cause you to be denied boarding your connecting flight.
Germany Business Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- The German business visa is for Gambians intending to travel to Germany for business purposes.
- Proof of health insurance with a minimum cover of 30,000 euros must be provided.
- Applicants are required to provide confirmed flight ticket / train / coach reservations.
- Proof of accommodation during the applicant’s stay in the Schengen area must be provided.
- For stays that exceed 30 days: include a detailed schedule of any pre-arranged business meetings.
- Proof of financial status & income must be provided. Personal and corporate bank statements for the 3 months. Employed applicants must include payslips for the 3 months and their employment contract. Self-employed applicants and business owners must submit proof of ownership (real estate, certificate of incorporation, corporate tax return, trading license, etc.)
- Letter of invitation issued and signed by business partner / company in Germany (can be submitted in English).
- Letter issued and signed by the applicant’s company detailing travel plans / itinerary while in Germany / Self-employed applicants can submit a cover letter.
- Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, spouse death certificate, birth certificate of children, etc.)
- Business references- at least two- must be provided.
- Exporters of precious stones should be in possession of their license to possess or purchase minerals.
Germany Student Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- Gambians intending to travel to Germany for study purposes can apply for the German student visa.
- The numbers of foreign people choosing Germany for their abroad studies are increasingly growing each year. Most international students will likely need to get a German student visa at a German consulate in their country before they can come to Germany to study.
- For studies that last up to 3 months, you need a Schengen visa.
- For studies that last more than 3 months, you need a German national visa.
- Students can apply a residence permit.
- A Residence Permit costs up to €110. It can take a long time to be issued, which is anywhere between eight to 12 weeks. Since this means two to three months, international students are advised to apply as soon as possible.
- There are three types of German student visa:
- German student visa: This is the standard student visa for international students who have been admitted to a German university and are ready to start their studies at a full-time university program.
- German student applicant visa: You need this visa if you need to be in Germany to apply for university admission in person. This visa doesn’t allow you to study in Germany, it’s only valid for the university application process.
- German language course visa: You need this type of visa to study for a German language course in Germany.
- Proof of financial resources “Finanzierungsnachweis” must be provided. They require the following:
- €10,236 deposit confirmation at a German blocked bank account.
- Letter of commitment and evidence of your parent’s income records and financial assets.
- Letter of commitment by a German resident “Verpflichtungserklärung”. This letter is taken at the Alien’s Registration Office, by the German resident whose going to cover your costs during your studies.
- Scholarship awarding certificate. It must show the amount of costs it covers.
- Bank guarantee. Issued to you by a recognized German bank.
- Proof of German language proficiency must be provided. (For German-only and mixed-language study programs).
- German Language University Entrance Examination for International Applicants (DSH).
- Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF).
- Goethe Institute German Language Diploma (GDS).
- German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Level II (DSD).
- Proof of English language proficiency must be provided. (For English and mixed-language study programs).
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Accepted results are PbT (paper-based test) 550 Points, CbT (computer-based test) 213 Points and IbT (internet-based test) 79-80 Points.
- The International English Language Testing system(IELTS). Accepted scores by German universities are 5 – 6.5.
Germany Visa Fees
Tourist visa
60.00 (EUR)
Business visa
60.00 (EUR)
Student visa
60.00 (EUR)
Germany Visa Application Centres & Embassies in
Gambia
Banjul
German Embassy Office in Banjul, Gambia — 38, Nino Chkheidze Street Banjul Gambia
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(+220) 422.77.83