The national visa is issued for a long-term stay (more than 90 days) for a specific purpose, which is governed by the German Residence Act. It is usually issued for a limited period of time, in certain cases up to one year. Depending on the purpose of your stay, you need to apply for your residence permit after your arrival in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The German Embassy Kuwait is the competent mission for your National visa application if your usual place of residence is Kuwait and your main destination is Germany. Should it become clear that your usual place of residence is outside Kuwait; your visa application cannot be processed by the German Embassy Kuwait.

Applicants whose usual place of residence is Syria or Yemen can also apply for a national Visa at the German Embassy Kuwait.

Please do not send any documents to the visa section - especially before applying for the visa - unless you are specifically asked to do so. These documents cannot be stored or added to a file later on. Please make sure to always have all the needed paperwork ready and with you for your visa appointment.

Preparing your application

As soon as you are beginning your long-term stay preparations, you should also start preparing your visa application documents. The visa process might take several months.

Only fully completed applications can be accepted; failing to submit the necessary documents in the requested form may lead to a refusal of your visa request.

Please do NOT staple any documents!

Documents and certificates are to be provided in German or English. Should your documents be issued in any other language, please provide the original with an official translation into German or English.

Certificates, diplomas, etc. must be presented in the original with apostille/legalisation.

Your passport and Civil ID will be returned to you after having been checked by the Visa Section. All other original documents will be returned to you once your application has been processed.

The applicant is responsible for all information provided during the application process. Forged or falsified documents, will result in an immediate refusal of your visa application and a possible entry ban.

Prepare your application documents as follows:

• Please use the VIDEX application form for National visas in order to speed up the application process and to reduce your waiting time.
• Please ensure that your photo adheres to German biometric requirements and is taken in front of a white/bright background.
• Please fill out and attach the following documents to your file:
  • Consent to receiving electronic correspondence
  • Security Questionnaire according to §54 AufenthG
• Depending on the purpose of your visa application you might also need to fill out the following documents:
  • Declaration regarding a contract of employment
  • Annex A to the Declaration regarding a contract of employment
  • Annex B to the Declaration regarding a contract of employment
  • Declaration according to §18 Residence Act
  • Declaration according to §82 Residence Act
• Please compile the supporting documents for your application according to the purpose of your trip:

Student (§16b Residence Act)

Recognition of a foreign degree (§16d Residence Act)

Language Course (§16f Residence Act)

Employment (§§18a, 18b, 18g Residence Act)

Specialty Chef (§19c Residence Act) 

Opportunity Card (§20a Residence Act)

​​​​​​​Family Reunion (§27ff Residence Act)

Submitting your application

In order to submit your visa application, please book an appointment via the appointment scheduling system of the Embassy. Every applicant needs his/her own appointment and needs to appear in person. Minors have to be accompanied by their custodians.
We urgently recommend that you book your appointment yourself. Using “agents” or “advisors” puts you at risk of losing a lot of time and money. Booking an appointment is free of charge.
During this appointment, we kindly ask you to submit all of your application documents, pay the fee and answer questions about your planned trip. Your photograph and fingerprints will also be taken on this occasion.

Please do NOT staple any documents!

What happens during processing?

The Embassy will review your application and make a decision whether the legal requirements to issue the visa are met. Depending on the purpose of your stay and as consultation with administrative bodies in Germany is necessary, processing your application can take from several days to a couple of months. The Embassy will contact you as soon as the final decision is reached on your application. We hope you will understand that we are not able to answer any questions on the status of your application during this processing period. After that, enquiries are only answered if they are made by the applicant, his/her legal representative or another person authorized in writing by the applicant.

Return of your passport

As soon as the Embassy has reached a decision on your application, you should collect your passport in person. If you are not able to collect it yourself, you can authorise another person to do so for you. In order to do so, please issue a power of attorney.
There are various reasons why your visa application may be rejected. The reasons will be stated in the letter notifying you that your application has been rejected.
You are welcome to submit a new application at any time with complete, informative and verifiable documentation.

Have a good trip! Information for visa holders

If all the information on your visa label is correct, you are free to travel. Please check the information on the label as soon as your passport is returned to you. You should let us know immediately if there are any mistakes so that we can issue you a new visa.
Your visa will state your full name and passport number and include your photo. It will also state the number of days you can stay and the period of validity, that is, the time by which you must have received your residence permit for Germany.
Therefore, please do not forget to register at the residents registration office shortly after you arrive in Germany and to make an appointment with the foreigners authority. Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area.