[1] Information leaflet on visas and residence permits German Embassy in Riga General information Latvian citizens are citizens of the EU and therefore entitled to live, work and travel in Germany without special formalities. Visas or resident permit are not necessary any more. For a long stay period in Germany European Union citizens have to register at the competent registry office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in Germany. Citizens of Non-EU-Countries, living with a valid permanent residence permit or a category D visa in Latvia can travel to Germany for visiting/business purposes for 90 days within 6 months without another visa. For staying in Germany for more than 90 days in 6 months and/or staying for the purpose of employment it is not necessary to apply for a visa in advance, if the foreigner has one of the following Latvian residence permits: Residence permit for family members of EU Member States nationals card acc. to Art. 10 sec. 1 Directive 2004/38/EC: Savienības pilsoņa ģimenes locekļa uzturēšanās atļauja" long-term resident EC acc. to Council Directive 2003/109/EC: Eiropas Savienības pastāvīgais iedzīvotājs Foreigners, who are currently students in Latvia and want to study at a German university for 360 days or less, do not need a residence permit, if they have a confirmation from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) stating their right of entry and residence for the purpose of studying within the framework of short-term mobility (Directive (EU) 2016/801). This document is issued upon request by the German university.
[2] In any other cases an application for a residence permit has to be filled in at the German Embassy in advance. Application forms The application forms can be found on the Website of the German Embassy Riga under the following link: https://riga.diplo.de/lv-lv/service/05-visaeinreise/-/1588420 Application An application can be filled in during the opening hours of the Embassy, an appointment is not necessary. Applications must be filled in personally. To apply for a visa for minors: For minors, either both parents or guardians have to come to the embassy together with the minor child to submit and sign the application form. Opening hours of the Legal and Consular Section of the Embassy Monday 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Tuesday 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Wednesday 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Thursday 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Friday 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
[3] Fees Visa application fee 75 for adults and 37,50 for minors To be paid in cash when submitting the application Exceptions: Spouses and children of EU citizens receive the visa free of charge on presentation of corresponding proof. Foreigners who receive a scholarship from German public funds for their stay in Germany (e.g. DAAD, Erasmus) are exempt from the fee If the application is rejected or withdrawn, the fee cannot be refunded. Duration and process Visa for the purpose of studying can usually be issued within 4 weeks. For other kinds of visa a processing time of up to a few months has to be calculated. Please consider this while planning your stay and application. The applications are sent to the responsible German Immigration Office for comment. As soon as a decision is made, the applicant will be informed immediately by the embassy. In order to relieve the embassy, it is urged to refrain from inquiring into the case, as this delays the processing of visa applications.
[4] Necessary documents Two filled in and signed application forms Valid passport (valid for at least six more months) Residence permit for Latvia (Valid for at least three more months) 2 biometric passport photographs Visa fee of 75 / 37,50 in cash Health insurance (for the planed stay in Germany) Further documents depending on the purpose of stay ALL documents have to be presented in is original version together with two simple copies. Documents which are not in German or English have to be presented with certified translation by notary.
[5] Further documents Study in Germany exchange students (Erasmus) a confirmation of your Latvian university regarding your studies certificate of registration of your German university scholarship confirmation and - for the sum not covered by the scholarship, up to the total amount of 720 per month proof of a blocked account in Germany students language course a confirmation of your registration of the language school indicating Latvian university certificate of registration of your German uni- week are scheduled (in- how many hours per versity tensive course with at motivation letter least 18 hours per week) and confirmation that the fee for the course has been paid motivation letter including your plans after finishing the language course Proof of financial means Sufficient financial means have to be proven for the first year of studying (at least 720 per month) by either: scholarship blocked account in Germany formal obligation of the parents (or other people) acc. to 66-68 AufenthG. Please contact the migration office (Ausländerbehörde) or German representation competent for the place of residence of the parent (or the supporting person)
[6] family reunion to spouse / civil partner spouse / civil spouse / civil partner is a citizen of spouse / civil partner is a citizen of a partner is a another EU-country German citizen non-eu-country proof of basic spouse / civil copy of the Spouse / civil knowledge of the partner is unemployed/searching German residence spouse s / partner s partner works in German language: certificate work permit Germany A1 (Start Deutsch 1) spouse s / civil partner s employment contract proof of financial means proof of health insurance for both spouses/partners proof of sufficient financial means and living place proof of basic knowledge of the German language: certificate A1 (Start Deutsch 1) passport of spouse / civil partner living in Germany marriage certificate or certificate of partnership certificate current registration document (Meldebescheinigung) of the spouse / civil partner living in Germany with civil status informal written declaration of the spouse / civil partner living in Germany, that he plans to live with the applicant in marital community in Germany
[7] employment Proof of your qualification (certificates, diplomas, certificate of equivalence from the professional training, degrees, etc.. curriculum vitae employees internship self-employment signed employment contract with the employer in Germany or concrete job offer indicating the type and duration of work, working place and salary signed internship contract with the employer in Germany or concrete internship offer indicating the type and duration of work, working place and salary internship schedule, if not indicated in the contract if no or not sufficient salary is paid, proof of financial means letter of invitation from the envisaged employer with a declaration of obligation according to 66-68 AufenthG business plan, i.e. a structured and detailed description of the business idea including capital requirements and capital budget, description of the company profile, marketing strategy and business forecast indication of the expected number of created jobs and / or training positions and explanation about the positive effects in the area of innovation and research documents to prove the capital budget
[8] Please note that the Embassy might request the presentation of further documents. Visas for other purposes Please request the list of necessary documents for visa applications for other purposes (au-pair, school attendance, voluntary service (FSJ), job-seeker Visa, Blue Card EU, family reunion to minor, or other) at the e-mail-address: info@riga.diplo.de Disclaimer The content of this leaflet has been compiled with care and to the best of knowledge of the German embassy. However, the German embassy cannot assume any liability for the up-to-datedness, completeness or accuracy of any of the provided information s.