Germany Visa from Canada

As a Canadian citizen, if you have a valid travel passport, you do not need a Schengen visa to enter and remain in Germany and other Schengen countries, for 90 days within 180 days. This is due to the visa-free agreement Canada has with Germany and other countries in the Schengen area.

But if you want to remain in Germany for more than 90 days you must obtain a residence permit or a visa. If you were previously denied entry into the Schengen Area, you must obtain a Germany visa to enter the country. Generally, note that the rules for obtaining a visa or immigrating to Germany are complex and typically vary depending on the situations of applicants.

Non-Canadian citizens resident in Canada whose countries do not have a visa-free agreement with Germany must obtain an appropriate visa that suits their purpose of entering Germany. If you are a holder of blue Canadian travel documents, you are not required to obtain a visa for a short-term stay or transit in Germany for business or tourism purposes within 90 days.

Obtaining a Germany visa is not a guarantee of imminent entry into the country as the final decision will be made by the German border police. As a Canadian citizen, if you want to enter Germany to reunite with your family or study, you are allowed to enter Germany visa-free and apply for a residence permit in the location of your intended residency.

Page Contents

• Do I Need a Visa for Germany from Canada?
• Types of Visas Available for Germany
• How to Apply for a Germany Visa in Canada?
• Fees for Germany Visa Applications
• Germany Visa Requirements for Canadian Residents
• Processing time for German visa application from Canada
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Airport Transit Visa for Germany

The Airports Transit visa, otherwise known as the “A” visa allows its holder to enter Germany to switch flights to their destination country from one of the German airports. This visa is a type of the Short-Stay Schengen visa which permits its holder to stay for up to 12 hours and change flights in Germany.

Although Canadian citizens do not need this Transit visa, non-Canadian citizens resident in Canada whose countries do not have a visa-free agreement with Germany must obtain this visa to change flights at German airports.

Required Documents for Airport Transit Visa

To be permitted to switch flights to your destination country in German airports, you must:

• Bring your German Transit visa application
• Get a signed Declaration of Accuracy of Information
• Provide your travel itinerary
• Get evidence of your onward journey, such as a copy of the visa to your destination country and a confirmed airline ticket to your destination country
• Present evidence of travel insurance

Airline staff are required to include the following documents:

• Official letter issued by the airline company
• Employee ID card of airline company
• Work contract with the company that is valid

Family Reunion Visa

This visa allows German residents to bring their family members into the country. Individuals who are not citizens of the EU/EEA are required to obtain the Germany Family Reunion visa to reunite with their relatives in Germany.

Upon their entry, the Alien’s Authority in Germany will issue them a residence permit which will be valid for the German resident’s permit. Non-Canadian citizens residing in Canada must obtain a Family Reunion visa to join their family members in Germany. Whereas Canadian citizens only need to get registered by the German authorities upon entry into Germany.

Required Documents for Family Reunion Visa

The documents you are required to provide for the Family Reunion visa include:

• Two application forms
• Residency permit of a spouse who is a non-EU citizen
• Passport of a spouse who is an EU citizen
• Marriage certificate’s original copy
• Evidence of basic German language skills

For Minors:

• Birth certificate
• Copies of both parents’ passports
• Parents’ letter of consent
• Custody decree, for a child whose parents are divorced
• Evidence of adoption, if the child was adopted
• Death certificates of parents, if the child’s parents are dead.

Research Visa

This visa is designed for non-Canadian citizen researchers resident in Canada and other foreign national researchers who wish to enter Germany and carry out research work. The Research visa is also a type of Germany Long-Stay National visa.

A hosting agreement between the foreign researchers and German research institutes must be drafted and signed for the researchers to be eligible for this.

Required Documents for Research Visa

You are required to provide the following documents to obtain a Research visa:

• Two passport-sized photographs
• International passport valid for 6 months minimum
• Application form for Germany National visa
• Evidence of health insurance for researchers
• Cover letter explaining your purpose of entering Germany, duration of intended stay, etc.
• Letter of no-objection from your local research institute or university stating that you will return to your contractual obligations in your home country
• Evidence of accommodation in Germany
• Proof of no criminal history
• Evidence of academic qualifications, such as original academic degree mark sheets or certificates
• Letter of invitation from German research institute of university proving the prerequisites of your stay in Germany, plus payments if you were given a scholarship.

Study Visa

The Germany Study visa is designed for foreigners who wish to enter Germany and advance their educational careers. The Germany Study visa is of 3 types, namely, a Language Course visa that lasts for 3 months to 1 year.

Secondly, the Student Applicant visa which is valid for 3 months and extendable to 6 months. Last, the Student visa, is issued to individuals who have been admitted into a German university. It is a long-term visa you must locate the Alien Registration office to obtain your residence permit within 2 weeks of your arrival in Germany.

Required Documents for Study Visa

If you want to further your education in Germany, you are required to provide the following documents:

• Valid international passport
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Evidence of admission
• Certificates of previous education (get the original copies)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate, if you are married
• Child’s or children’s birth certificates if you have a child or children
• Two completed and signed National visa forms
• Residency title, if you have lived in Germany previously
• Previous Schengen visa
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Previous resident permit
• A motivational letter stating the reason you chose the program and your plans for the future
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Two biometric portrait photographs that were recently taken
• Travel health insurance
• Evidence of paid visa application fees
• Evidence of English proficiency for English or mixed language programs
• Evidence of German proficiency for German or mixed language programs

Vocational Training Visa

This visa is designed for non-EU citizens who intend to undergo vocational training or apprenticeship in Germany. This visa is valid for up to 2 years and its holder will have the opportunity to develop their technical skills and hands-on experience during the vocational training. This program is typically available in fields, such as IT, healthcare, engineering, hospitality, and so on.

Required Documents for Vocational Training Visa

To obtain a Vocational Training visa and participate in vocational programs in Germany, applicants are required to provide the following documents:

• Two passport-sized photographs
• Valid national passport
• Previous passports
• Application form
• Visa application fee payment receipt
• Marriage certificate (if you are married)
• ZAV Consent letter (allowing you to work in Germany) from the Federal Employment Agency (The Bundesagentur für Arbeit) issued by the company offering the vocational training
• No-objection letter
• Approval letter from the company offering the vocational training
• Proof of German proficiency
• Motivation letter
• Proof of funds
• Travel health insurance
• Evidence of accommodation
• Proof of qualification, such as diploma, degree certificate, or mark sheet.

Employment Visa

The Germany Employment visa is designed for foreigners who wish to enter Germany and work for up to 2 years with an option to extend the stay period. Upon the applicants’ entry into Germany, they will need to obtain a residence permit to remain in the country beyond the initial validity of the Employment visa.

Required Documents for the Employment Visa

To obtain an Employment visa to enter and work in Germany, you are required to provide the following documents:

• Your standard German visa application documents
• A contract that your prospective employer has signed
• Certificate of compulsory health insurance in Germany (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)

Germany Youth Mobility Visa

The Germany Youth Mobility visa, otherwise known as the Working Holiday visa, is designed for Canadian citizens and other foreign nationals aged 18 to 35 years, who want to enter Germany and work. This visa is valid for 1 year and you can stay in Germany for up to 4 years consecutively on this visa if you are approved per year.

Applicants who have this visa can work in any kind of job, even low-paying or unskilled jobs for which they wouldn’t be able to get a work permit. Depending on the agreement with your employer, you may be required to file your application in Germany or your home country.

Required Documents for Germany Youth Mobility Visa

You must present the following documents to apply for a Germany Youth Mobility visa:

• Your application form
• Visa fee payment receipt
• Proof of clean criminal record
• Valid Canadian international passport
• Evidence of sufficient funds, with at least €3,000
• Medical certificate
• Social security obligation
• Proof of travel itinerary
• Proof of ties to Canada
• Evidence of accommodation
• Evidence of health insurance with at least €30,000

Note that the above-mentioned requirements for Germany visas are not all-encompassing, you may be required to include additional documents to your visa application. Besides that, you are required to submit documents that are only in German or English. If your documents are in any foreign language, you are required to have them translated into German by an authorized translator and also have them notarized.

If you want to enter Germany you must have some financial plans in place to start your application process. You are required to:

• Have at least €45 per day
• Pay €80 or €40 Germany Schengen visa fee for adults and children aged 6 to 12 respectively. This is for non-Canadian citizens depending on their nationalities
• Pay €75 for Germany National D visa fee

You may be required to pay additional fees during your application process at the Consulate General Toronto, such as expedited processing fees, courier fees, etc.

To obtain a visa to enter Germany from Canada, you are required to meet the following Germany visa requirements:

• Visa application form
• Your Canadian international passport
• Round-trip flight ticket
• Your identity photographs
• Evidence of residency in Canada, such as your utility bill
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Valid residence permit
• Evidence of accommodation in Germany, such as a hotel reservation, Airbnb, a rental agreement, etc.
• A travel health insurance worth €30,000
• A Declaration of Accuracy of Information