Germany Family & Friend Visit

Comprehensive Guide to the Germany Family and Friend Visit Visa

To visit family members, relatives, or friends residing in Germany, it is necessary to apply for a Germany Family and Friend Visit Visa. This visa falls under the Schengen C-Type category and grants the holder the right to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. The foundation of the application is an official letter of invitation (Verpflichtungserklärung) or a personal invitation letter provided by the person inviting you from Germany. This content provides a detailed explanation of the application process, required documents, and important points to consider.

What is the Germany Visit Visa and Who Can Apply?

The Germany Family and Friend Visit Visa is designed for Turkish citizens and foreign nationals with legal residence in Turkey who plan a short-term trip to Germany upon the invitation of a person legally residing there. Unlike tourist trips, business meetings, or conference participation, this visa type requires proof that the purpose of travel is based on a private visit. The main focus of the visit is to spend time with the inviting person.

The Invitation Letter: The Key Document for Your Application

The invitation is the most critical document in Germany visit visa applications. There are two types of invitations, each with different requirements:

1. Formal Obligation Letter (Verpflichtungserklärung)

This is the strongest type of invitation and generally facilitates the visa approval process. The inviting person (the host) in Germany obtains this document from their local Foreigners' Authority (Ausländerbehörde). With this document, the inviting person officially commits to covering all of the applicant's expenses, including travel and accommodation. This commitment significantly reduces the applicant's burden of proving financial sufficiency. The original copy of this document must be included in the application file.

2. Personal Invitation Letter

If the inviting person will not cover the expenses or cannot obtain a formal obligation letter, a personal invitation letter written in German or English can be submitted. This letter must include the following information:

• Identity and contact details of the inviting and invited persons
• Degree of relationship or friendship
• Purpose and planned dates of the trip
• Information on where the accommodation will be
• A clear statement of who will cover the expenses

In this case, the applicant is expected to prove in detail that they can cover their own travel expenses with documents such as bank statements, salary slips, etc.

What is the Difference Between a Family Visit Visa and a Family Reunification Visa?

Although these two visa types are often confused, their purposes and requirements are completely different. Clarifying this is vital for applying for the correct visa type.

• Family and Friend Visit Visa: This is a short-term (maximum 90 days) Schengen (C-Type) visa. It does not grant the right to settle or work in Germany. Its sole purpose is for visiting, and the applicant is expected to return to their home country at the end of the trip.
• Family Reunification Visa: This is a long-term National (D-Type) visa for permanently moving to Germany to live with a spouse or parent. The process is much more complex and usually includes additional requirements such as German language proficiency (A1 level). This visa is a pathway to a residence permit.

This article is solely about the short-term Family and Friend Visit Visa.

Proving Financial Sufficiency and Intent to Return

One of the two most important factors for visa approval is proving that you have sufficient financial means to cover your travel expenses, and the other is demonstrating your intention to return to Turkey after the visa period expires.

• Financial Proof: If you do not have a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung), you must submit stamped and signed bank statements for the last 3 months showing regular income and a sufficient balance. Additional income and assets like salary slips, title deeds, and vehicle registration documents will also strengthen your file.
• Intent to Return: The consulate looks at the strength of the applicant's ties to their home country. For employees, a letter of leave from the employer and an SGK statement; for students, a student certificate; for married individuals, a marriage certificate and a full civil registry extract showing family ties are the most important proofs of intent to return.

Your Germany Family and Friend Visit Visa Application with Hermes Vize

The application process for a Germany family and friend visit visa requires careful attention, especially when preparing the invitation and financial documents. Hermes Vize provides professional support to help you prepare a complete file in accordance with current consulate regulations and manage your application process smoothly. You can contact us to plan the application steps with our expert consultants and to get detailed information.