This information leaflet has been generated by the German Embassy in Kuwait.

We advise you not to use the services of any intermediaries or agencies or individuals for
preparing your application or preparing documents you are asked to submit with your
application.

False or falsified documents will result in refusal of visa and further consequences.
Do not spend money for unreliable services, but make use of the information provided for free hereafter and on the internet page of the German Embassy.

All services offered by third parties in the vicinity of the Embassy or in the vicinity of the Visa Application Center (VAC) are neither necessary nor do have any effect on the chances of success of your application or the time necessary for processing your application. The German Embassy in no way cooperates with any other party or individuals or endorses their actions.

If you currently reside in Kuwait and you intend to move to Germany, you may book an Appointment to submit your visa application directly at the German Embassy in Kuwait (Salem Al Mubarak Street, Symphony Tower 2, Block 2, 7th Floor, Salmiya, Kuwait). Non-Kuwaiti nationals are kindly requested to provide proof of Kuwait residency.

In order to book an appointment pleases use the following link.

Applications must be submitted in person and not by courier, regular post, fax or email.
The fee for a residence permit is the equivalent of € 75; the fee must be paid in KWD cash when filing the application.

Please refer to our website for any waivers or exceptions. For spouses of German or EU-citizens or to the parent of a German or EU-minor the visa fee is waived.

All documents need to be submitted in 3 sets (1x Original and 2x copies). Original documents will be returned to the applicant after the application process has been finalized. Please note that incomplete application sets cannot be accepted.
All documents which are not in German or English language require a translation.
Please note that foreign certificates might need to be legalized or an apostille might need to be affixed. For documents not issued in Kuwait please consult the website of the German mission in the issuing country.

I. DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

1. Two Application forms ‘Resident Permit/Long Term Visa’– available online free of charge

• Fully completed in English or German and personally signed and dated by applicant.
• If the applicant is under the age of 18, signed form “Letter of consent” needs to be attached including passport copies of parents/ legal guardian.

2. Two Instruction forms A – available online free of charge

• Fully completed in English or German and personally signed and dated by applicant.
• Certain nationals require Instruction Form B.

3. Passport

• Validity minimum three months from requested entry to Germany
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least two blank “visa pages”
• Undamaged photograph securely affixed with/to passport
• Previous passport if applicable
• IMPORTANT: valid Kuwait residence permit if applicable

4. Two recent biometric passport sized photographs (3.5x4.5 cm)
Requirements:

• Should NOT be older than 6 months.
• A frontal view of the face covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
• A plain and light-colored Background.
• Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or spectacle Frame.
• Head coverings are only accepted for religious reasons
• Do not glue or staple the pictures to the application form.

5 .Original Graduation certificates to enable admission in Germany and 2 copies of the same

6. Motivation Letter and CV as well as one copy each

• (Why do you wish to study in Germany? What are your long term plans for the future?)

7. Proof of German language skills

• if lectures being held in German language the level should be at least B1/B2, please confirm with competent university)
• otherwise a confirmation from the university that the lectures will be held in the English language and proof of English language knowledge (e.g. IELTS)
• or: Confirmed Language course registration in Germany (no less than 18 hours per week)

8. Confirmation from the German University:

• Admission letter of German University without any condition or
• Admission letter of the German university under a condition (e.g. to submit your
• Bachelor degree if you intend to pursue a master study) or
• Admission letter of the German university under the condition that you enroll into a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) or
• Admission letter of the German university under the condition that you complete a German language course. In that case submit proof that you have registered in a full time course 18 hours/week) or
• Admission letter for a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) or
• Invitation for admission test for preparatory course (Studienkolleg) –in that case you have to prove German language skills of level B1 according to the European Framework for Languages (e. g. certificate of Goethe Institute) or
• Admission to an internship which is mandatory in order to be admitted to university –in that case you need to prove with a letter of the university that the internship is mandatory

9. Proof of financial means (minimum of 934,-€ a month), please provide one of the following in original and with 2 copies each:

• A blocked account* at a German bank showing a minimum of 11.208,- EURO(withdrawal limit of 934,- Euro per month)
• Proof of sponsorship or bursary from a German institution (DAAD, Inwent, etc.)
• A formal letter of obligation, according to paragraph §§66-68 of the Aliens Act, issued from the competent authority in Germany or the competent German Foreign Mission in country of residence of sponsor
• Statement of income/financial circumstances of the parents as well as an assurance of their support
• An annual, renewable Bank guaranty to the amount of 11.208,- Euro

*When applying for visa, you can provide evidence that you are able to meet your living costs by opening a blocked bank account. You have free choice of provider. Information on providers that offer this Service worldwide is available on the Federal Foreign Office Website.

Following the approval of the visa application and before the visa can be issued, you must provide evidence that you have a valid travel insurance for the period between arrival in the country and commencement of employment, if such evidence has not already been submitted.

II. INFORMATION FOR THE APPLICANT ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE VISA
PROCESS

• Only complete applications can be accepted; non-submission of necessary documentation or wrong or incomplete information may lead to the refusal of your visa application.
• False or falsified documents will lead to the refusal of your visa and /or further consequences.
• All visa fees must be paid upon submission of the above.
• Processing time: The processing of your application may take 2-3 months but in individual cases longer. The German Embassy is committed to keep the processing time to a minimum. Applicants are requested to apply at least 3 months prior to their intended start of the visa in order to ensure the completion of the process and to avoid disappointment.
• We strongly recommend that you do not purchase an airline ticket unless the visa has been granted.
• Applicants are also kindly requested to refrain from status inquiries.
• Once a visa has been issued, the purpose of the trip may not be altered.
• Please remember that all documents need to be legalized before you come for your appointment to apply for the visa. For any consular services such as legalization of your
• university degrees, certification of photocopies or signatures please check the website of the German Embassy (by prior appointment only)
• Upon receiving the visa: Please check visa data for possible mistakes as soon as you receive your passport. Pay particular attention to the visa validity (start and end dates), also check the correct spelling of your name, as well as the number of entries you were granted. The visa section must be informed of possible mistakes immediately and cannot be held responsible for any problems that occur as a result of incorrect data or missing signature in the travel document.
• Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us via Email.

The German Embassy Kuwait reserves the right to ask for additional documents and /or call the applicant for an interview at any time.