GERMANY Issuing Authorities a) German Embassy - Visa Section 201 Florence Ribeiro Avenue Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0181 PO Box 2023 Pretoria 0001 Tel: (012) 427 8900 Consular Fax: (012) 427 8984 Visa section : 0900-1100 by appointment only. For appointments call 086 100 2245 E-mail: visapretoria@pret.diplo.de Website: www.southafrica.diplo.de b) German Consulate-General Roeland Park, 4 Stirling street, cnr de Villiers and Stirling, Zonnebloem 7925 PO Box 4273 Cape Town 8000 Tel: (021) 405 3000 Fax: (021) 405 3010 Appointments: 0861 002245 E-mail: info@kapstadt.diplo.de web: www.capetown.diplo.de https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 1 of 11
Visa Requirements Visas are required by all South African citizens for a stay of any length of time. Holders of full British passports do NOT need visas. All applications for Schengen visas must be handed in at one of the Visa Application Centres, VISALINK INTERGATE. Appointments for visa applications and further information: www.visagermany.co.za or email: info@intergate-visalink.com. Intergate Visalink Pretoria: 1262 Lougardia Building,Embarkment Road, Centurian, Pretoria Cape Town: 80 Strand Street, Cape Town Port Elizabeth: Fairview Office Park, 4th Floor, Regus House, 8 Ring Road, Greenacres, PLZ Bloemfontein: 80 Pres Reitz Avenue, Westdene, BFN 9301 Call Centre : 0861 002245 for an appointment. Web: www.visa-germany.co.za E-mail: info@intergate-visalink.com Application submissions only after PRIOR booking of appointment : Monday to Friday 0800-1700 (tel and email) BFN: Office hours and collections: 0800-1200 Mon-Fri CPT/PLZ/PRY: Mon-Fri 0800-1600 / Wed 1700-2000 (by appointment only). Collections Mon-Fri 0800-1600 - No appointments required for collections. Applications can be made within 90 days of your scheduled departure date and we recommend you apply in ample time. Please note you need to make sure that your appointment date is at least 3 weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. Submitting your application later than this may well cause your trip to be delayed. Step 1: Appointment Booking Firstly you need to book an appointment (either online or by phone) at the visa application centre where you will submit your application and complete your biometric information. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 2 of 11
Step 2: Payment Once your appointment has been scheduled, you will receive a provisional appointment confirmation via e-mail which includes the payment information as well as a list of documents & information you need to bring. As soon as you have sent us the proof of payment, your appointment will be confirmed. Visa Fees for Adults: EUR 60* Visa Fees for Minors: EUR 35* Application Service Fees Visalink: R380 per application * Please note that you will be charged in ZAR at the exchange rate applicable at the time from the European Central Bank (ECB) Step 3: Prepare your application You will be sent a confirmation email which includes your application form and further information regarding the documents which need to be submitted. If you need further help with compiling your application you can contact our call centre for assistance. Step 4: Submit your application To complete the application process, you will be required to visit your selected visa application centre. To ensure we can process your application as smoothly as possible we ask that you please ensure you arrive no less than 15 minutes before your allocated appointment time. It is also important to note that in the event of your late arrival you will need to reschedule another appointment. Step 5: Track your application After submission of your application you will be able to track the progress on www.visagermany.co.za Step 6: Return of your passport Once a decision has been made with regards to your Schengen visa application you will receive an email and additionally an SMS to inform you when your documents and passport will be ready for collection. Your documents and passport will need to be collected at the visa application centre where you made your application. The receipt is to be presented. For your convenience and to save another visit to the visa application centre you may also select the courier service option for the return of https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 3 of 11
your documents and passport. Please note that the courier service fee is ZAR 195 and upon acceptance you are entering into a contract with the courier company RAM. As a final option you may also nominate a person to collect your documents on your behalf. They will need to present an authorisation letter signed by you, your receipt and proof of their identity. REQUIREMENTS: See General Schengen Requirements for terms and conditions of a Schengen short stay visa and application procedures for multi-destinations. DEFINITELY NO EMERGENCY VISAS WILL BE ISSUED Additional visa Requirements to the Standard Schengen visa requirements: Please ensure there are 2 free pages in the passport. An airport transit visa is not required for SA citizens A transit visa is required for SA citizens if they leave the transit lounge. A transit visa is not required if they stay in the transit lounge. Bank statements of the last 3 months (not from internet) for all first time traveller's to Germany (business or visitor) TRANSIT VISA: Must have the main destinations visa before applying for a transit visa/or normal Schengen visa eg travelling to the UK/USA first. A TRANSIT VISA IS REQUIRED FOR SA CITIZENS IF THEY LEAVE THE TRANSIT LOUNGE. Visas for a longer period than 90 days or for the purpose of taking up employment are not subject to the Schengen agreement. They are still subject to the national legislation of the country of destination. They must be applied for with the consular authorities of the country concerned at least 3 months before departure. Only biometric photographs are accepted when applying for a visa. Photos must be clear, in colour and not older than 6 months. Black and white photos are NOT accepted. Please read the guidelines attached to the confirmation email re photos. Application forms for passengers under 18 years have to be signed by both parents in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths or an official at the Consulate. In addition to requirements for minors - please note: One guardian of a minor (18 years or younger) has to apply on the child`s behalf, with child, and all minors are to produce an unabridged birth certificate and copy of the parents passport. Do not hand in the application unless all the necessary documents are provided at the time of application. Please submit 2 passport copies of pages of personal data as well as copies of all previous Schengen visa(s) - even if in old passport. All documents are to be submitted in the original plus photocopy. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 4 of 11
The photograph required must be loose (ie not stapled to the application form). https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 5 of 11
Visa Processing Time Up to two weeks. No on-the-spot Schengen visa will be issued. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 6 of 11
Visa Validity Visas valid strictly as per dates specified on application form. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 7 of 11
SA Representative SA Embassy Tiergartenstrasse 18, 10785, Berlin Tel: 00 49 30 220 730 E-mail: berlin.consular@dirco.gov.za https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 8 of 11
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: None Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio Germany has something interesting for everyone to see or do. Lots of cultural attractions, beautiful scenery, great cities and of course the world renowned Octoberfest to add a huge fun factor at that time of the year. Make sure to see the German Parliament (Reichstag), re-designed by British architect Norman Foster, and the Brandenburg Gate; both potent symbols of German unity. Stroll along part of the path of the Berlin Wall, clearly marked in the road, from the Brandenburg Gate to glitzy Potsdamer Platz, derelict during Germany's divided years, but now restored as a modern focal point for the city. Take the kids to Europa-Park, Germany's biggest theme park, at Rust, near Freiburg in the southwest. For the brave it features Europe's highest rollercoaster. Be pampered. Germany has over 300 spas and health resorts that offer a wide range of traditional and modern treatments. The most famous spa town is Baden- Baden, in the southwest. Capital: Currency: Language: Dialling code from SA: Time Zones: Daylight Savings Time: Berlin (BER) Euro (EUR) German. English is widely spoken and understood. + 49 UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) From last Sun in March to last Sun in Oct: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) Public Holidays 2018: Jan 1; Mar 30; Apr 2; May 1, 10, 21; Oct 3; Dec 25-26. (Individual states / provinces may observe additional holidays) Side of the Road: Right. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 9 of 11
Best Time to Go: Best for: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Year Round. May September is high season. Medieval Architecture, Museums, Oktoberfest 230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. For English speakers in need of a doctor and unable to reach easily a surgery or pharmacy, call 01805 321 303 (www.calladoc.com). It costs more than an average phone call but you ll be able to discuss your symptoms in English, and receive medical advice. Normal social courtesies. Do not address someone by their first name unless you have been invited to. When in a shop or other place of business, it is polite to say "guten tag" when entering and "auf wiedersehen" or "tschüss" when leaving. Casualwear is largely acceptable, but some restaurants, clubs and casinos may have a dress code. Punctuality is highly valued. Visitors should carry a form of identification at all times. Smoking in prohibited in public places. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 10 of 11
Duty Free: Germany is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no allowance restrictions on these tax-free items. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Büsingen and the Isle of Heligoland are treated as being outside of the EU for duty-free purposes. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. 10L of spirits over 22%, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-eu country, the following goods may be imported into Germany by travellers over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume. Other goods up to the value of 430 for air and sea travellers and 300 for other travellers (reduced to 175 for children under 15). Prohibited Imports: Unauthorised firearms and ammunition, unapproved fireworks, unconstitutional literature, pornography which is violent or involves children, any food considered a health hazard, narcotics, dangerous dogs, endangered species and counterfeit goods. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2673-germany-country-guide&print=1 Page 11 of 11