Non-immigrant visa: business trips to Germany

Citizen of countries for which there are general visa requirements in order to visit Germany need a visa for all entries, even for short term stays. There might be exceptions for holders of diplomatic or service passports. To check, whether you belong to such a country, consult the List of countries with general visa requirements.

To apply for a visa at the German Embassy in Prague, you must be a resident in the Czech Republic. Non-residents have to apply for a visa at the German Mission in their home country, even if returning to the home country involves a loss of time and money. You are considered a permanent resident if you hold a residence permit for the Czech Republic for at least six months.

The visa application has to be presented to the Embassy of the country of main destination (determined by the purpose of the journey and the length of the stay). If your main destination cannot be ascertained, the Schengen state through which you first enter the territory of these countries is responsible for granting the visa.

Applications can only be filed personally. As a rule, applications of minors to take part in a business trip cannot be accepted. In general, a visa can be approved if travel purpose, sufficient financial funds as well as the will to return to the country of residence is made plausible by the applicant.

Besides, German authorities as well as authorities of our Schengen partners are consulted. As a rule, a visa can only be issued if neither the German authorities nor those of our Schengen partners raise an objection. There is no legal right to a visa. Every application is considered at the embassy's discretion and that of other German authorities (i.e. Aliens Registration Office).

If completed applications are filed Mondays to Thursdays between 9 and 11 a.m., passports and visas or – when a visa is refused – passports are generally handed over the same day in the afternoon between 2 and 3:30 p.m. If applications are filed on Fridays or Mondays to Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or between 2 and 3 p.m. passports and visas or – when a visa is refused – passports are generally handed over the next working day between 2 and 3:30 p.m. No passports and visas are handed out on Fridays.

Please note that the processing time for applications may take up to ten days for citizens of certain countries (see list)

In general the following documents have to be submitted:

• two completed application forms, which have to signed by the applicant.
• one signed declaration according to §55 of the Foreigners’ Act
• one signed declaration concerning the health insurance
• a passport valid for at least three months after your return to the Czech Republic. Furthermore the passport has to have at least one blank page.
• one copy of your passport
• two current and identical passport photographs
• residence permit for the Czech Republic (within the passport); valid for at least six months and still valid for at least 14 days after the return date to the Czech Republic.
• průkaz o povolení k pobytu cizince, if available
• The original letter of invitation on the company's business paper including the date, the name of the guests and the meeting content. Expressions like "to renew ties between business partners", "business meetings" etc. are not sufficient. The letter has to state the exact purpose and duration of the stay. The signature has to be clearly signed and generally notarised by a public notary or the Aliens Registration Office in Germany, where the inviting company has its residence. The letter also generally has to imply the pledge of the host to cover all costs that could arise from the applicants stay in Germany (in accordance with §§ 66-68 AufenthG).
• copy of the business license or business register statement of the inviting partner in Germany (not older than six months)
• current (not older than 6 months) and notarised copy of business license or business register statement of the company in the Czech Republic
• Employees have to show their working contract and their salary slip as well as a letter of their employer which states exactly the persons taking part in the business trip, the kind of business, the duration of the business trips. This letter has to be clearly signed, mentioning the name of the signer in print.
• Health insurance valid for all Schengen countries and for the complete duration of the stay. The insurance has to have a minimum coverage of 30.000 Euro. Generally the health insurance has to be effected in the Czech Republic.
  proof of business activity, i.e. last tax return, custom declarations for imported and /or exported goods, invoices of sale and purchase of merchandise, rent agreement for business premises
• proof of the business relations with the German company through invoices, customs declarations etc.
• bank statements of the last three months of the business (the money transfer has to indicate that a business is actually being carried out) and - if applicable - for the personal account and of saving accounts of the applicant
• lease of the private premises, if applicable

All documents listed above, have to be submitted as originals and as copies. The originals remain with you after our evaluation.

The processing fee for a visa of 35 Euro has to be paid according to the current exchange rate in cash and in Czech Crowns. Besides the embassy might ask for a lump-sum payment for expenses with reference to the visa application
The embassy reserves the right, to demand additional documents and/or to examine the application further by approaching the responsible Alien Registration Office in Germany.

The German border authorities are entitled to deny access to Germany to anyone, even if they have a valid visa or don't even need a visa for Germany. This applies especially to cases of visa fraught and lack of financial means to pay for the stay in Germany.