Basic Travel Requirements for Sierra Leoneans visiting
Germany
Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to
apply for a German Visa.
- A valid passport issued within 10years of the application period.
- A fully completed and signed visa application form.
- A minimum of two passport photos taken within the last 3 months.
- Two blank passport pages for visa stamps.
- A valid travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.
- Proof of accommodation for your entire stay in Germany.
- A detailed flight itinerary.
- Proof of financial independence (e.g. bank statements or payslips), or proof of financial support (e.g. sponsor’s declaration note or letter).
- Proof of your purpose of travel(e.g. an employment contract, letter of admission or proof of academic qualifications).
- Return flight ticket to Sierra Leone (Short-stay travelers).
- Repatriation commitment note (Long-stay travelers).
Germany Visa for Sierra Leoneans
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 | 15 days | 90 |
| Visitor Visa | 15 days | 1-5 years |
| Transit visa | 15 days | 24 hours |
General Requirements for Germany Visa
- A valid passport issued within 10years of the application period.
- A fully completed and signed visa application form.
- A minimum of two passport photos taken within the last 3 months.
- Two blank passport pages for visa stamps.
- A valid travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.
- Proof of accommodation for your entire stay in Germany.
- A detailed flight itinerary.
- Proof of financial independence (e.g. bank statements or payslips), or proof of financial support (e.g. sponsor’s declaration note or letter).
- Proof of your purpose of travel(e.g. an employment contract, letter of admission or proof of academic qualifications).
- Return flight ticket to Sierra Leone (Short-stay travelers).
- Repatriation commitment note (Long-stay travelers).
Germany Short-Stay Schengen Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- The short-stay Schengen visa is issued to foreigners who intend to travel to any Schengen state for a short period.
- This visa is referred to as the Type-C Schengen visa.
- Germany is a Schengen state and the rules for the Schengen visa apply to Germany visas.
- Travelers on this visa go to Germany for reasons such as business trips, holiday or to visit relatives.
- For the short-stay visa, the reasons or purposes for travelers’ visits would be clearly stated on their visas. The purpose of your trip to Germany must be plausible and comprehensible.
- Applicants’ passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond their stay in Germany.
- Passports that contain illegible data cannot be accepted and your passport must not be damaged.
- The short-stay visa is valid for up to 90 days within a 180 day period in Germany and your date of entry starts your 180- day period.
- The Schengen visas can be issued for one, two or multiple entries. These entries depend on the visa holder’s reason for travel.
- If you will be leaving and re-entering the Schengen area during your visit, you will need to apply for a double or multiple-entry visa.
Germany Long-stay Schengen Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- This visa is issued to foreigners who want to stay in Germany for a period longer than 90 days.
- This visa is referred to as the Type-D Schengen visa or the National visa.
- This visa is issued to foreigners for purposes such as joining a spouse/family member, taking up a job, studying and conducting research.
- To be issued this visa, your reasons must be clearly stated and will be duly indicated on your visa.
- The national visa grants entry to Germany on the basis that you will be applying for a residence permit.
- It allows you to enter Germany as a potential resident and stay while you apply for residency.
- You are expected to convert your visa into a residence permit within three months of arriving in Germany.
- Your visa can only be converted into the corresponding type of residence permit (a visa for work must be converted into a working residence permit).
- As a foreign national, you are not permitted to work in Germany unless this was expressly stated when applying for a visa.
- Applicants are required to submit a police report stating that they have no criminal record in Sierra Leone.
Germany Airport Transit Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- An airport transit visa is issued to travelers who want to travel through Germany to another country.
- You will need an airport transit visa if your final destination is a country outside the Schengen area.
- The airport transit visa does not permit you to leave the airport.
- Applicants of this visa should be in possession of the visa of the destination country.
- Holders of this visa are not allowed to take up permanent residence in Germany.
- Holders of this visa should have a flight ticket to their destination country.
Germany Visa Fees
Tourist visa
Short-Stay Schengen Visa
60.00 (EUR)
Visitor Visa
Long-stay Schengen visa
99.00 (EUR)
Transit visa
Airport Transit Visa
60.00 (EUR)
Germany Visa Application Centres & Embassies in
Sierra Leone
Freetown
German Embassy. 50 Raffles Place #12-00 Singapore Land Tower Singapore 048623 Robinson P.O. Box 1533, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
germembasy@sierratel.sl
(+232) (22) 23 13 50, (+232) (22) 23 13 61