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. Family reunion to a person in Germany holding the status of “Flüchtling” or “Subsidiär
Schutzberechtigter” – please contact the German Embassy by email

prior to booking your appointment and send a short explanatory email plus copy of the residence title and passport/refugee document of the reference person in Germany.

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, please see below.

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. Spouses / Parents of minor / Children until the age of 16 years; in case of a German parent 18 years

Spouses

• Birth Certificate of applicant
• Divorce papers of previous marriages or death certificates of previous spouses
• 2 copies of the Passport of the family member in Germany
• If family member is a German national, a national identification Card may be presented instead of a passport.
• If family member is not a German national, the copies must include the residence Permit.
• Proof of German language skills at minimum level of A1 in accordance with the European Frame of Reference (“ALTE” licensed), e.g. Certificates of the Goethe-Institute, TestDaF, ÖSD or telc GmbH. Spouses of Non-German EU citizens will not have to provide this certificate.
• Proof of accommodation in Germany (e.g. rental contract of spouse)
• Proof of financial means of partner living in Germany in case he/she is not a German or EU citizen or a recognized refugee
• Marriage took place in Kuwait: Legalized Kuwaiti Marriage Certificate, legalized and with certified Translation
• Marriage took place in Germany: German certificate of marriage or extract from the Family Register
• Marriage took place in a different country: Please check on the website of the German mission in the issuing country whether an Apostil or Legalization is necessary. Please provide then the legalized certificate/certificate with an Apostil of marriage of that Country

Parents of a Minor

• Birth certificate of the German child
• Proof of custody of the child (e.g. marriage certificate with mother, declaration of ustody, court decision, death certificate of other parent, etc.)
• 2 copies of the Passport of the Family member in Germany
• If family member is a German national, a national identification card may be presented instead of a passport.
• If family member is not a German national, the copies must include the residence
• Permit
• Proof of financial means of applicant in case Minor in Germany is not a German or EU citizen or a recognized refugee
• Proof of accommodation in Germany (e.g. rental contract of spouse)

Children until the age of 16 years; in case of a German parent 18 years

• Birth certificate of the German child
• 2 copies of the Passport of the Family member in Germany
• If family member is a German national, a national identification card may be presented instead of a passport.
• If family member is not a German national, the copies must include the residence Permit
• Proof of financial means of Parent in Germany in case parent in Germany is
  not a German or EU citizen or a recognized refugee
• Proof of accommodation in Germany (e.g. rental contract of parent)
• Applicants seeking to join the Non-German parent: Proof of custody required
• Marriage Certificate of both parents and proof that both parents are in Germany or are also applying for Family reunion or
• Official Court ruling regarding custody, which proves sole custody of parent living in Germany or
• For single mothers, an affidavit sworn at the office of Notary Public that she has never lived together with the child’s biological Father and that he has no custody of the child, or:
• Death certificate parent who died

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 Appointment-System of the German Embassy Kuwait)

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.

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