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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South African citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

At which Embassy/Consulate/ Visa Issuing Authority should you apply? Read More

– If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of that country.

– If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority that is your main destination (i.e. your longest stay).

– If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of the country of your first point of entry. 

VISA INFORMATION

Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority

Visa can be applied for in the following cities: Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg.  Application will be processed by Visalink Intergate

The Issuing Authority (Visalink) requires applicants to present themselves for biometrics

  • Register online and the earliest available date will be shown.
  • Both parents are required to appear at the interview for children below the age of 18 years or alternatively supply an affidavit as to why the parent cannot be in attendance.
  • Children under 12 don’t require biometrics

Pretoria VFS Global
1262 Lougardia Building Embankment Rd

Centurion, Pretoria

Cape Town Visalink  
80 Strand Street,

Cape Town

Port Elizabeth Visalink

Fairview Office Park, 4th Floor,

The Regus House, 8 Ring Road,

Greenacres Port Elizabeth

Bloemfontein Visalink

80 Pres Reize Avenue

Westdene

Bloemfontein

Submission Timings: 08:00 to 16:00 Monday-Friday & 17:00 – 20:00 (By appointment on Wednesday)
Passport retrieval time: 08:00 to 16:00 Monday-Friday-

Tel:+ 0861 00 22 45 – for appointments, tracking and general information (Monday to Friday 08:00- 16:00)

Email: none available

  • Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (after the return date of planned trip).
  • Passport must have a minimum of 3 blank pages
  • If not a SA citizen, a residence permit valid for a period of at least 3 months after the applicants last day of stay in the Schengen states.
  • Photocopy of BIOMETRIC PAGE of passport – preferably in colour
  • Photocopy of any previous SCHENGEN VISAS.
  • Photocopy of applicants ID Document
  • Duly completed (in capitals with black ink ) and signed “Harmonised Application For Schengen” form (the application form may be acquired free of charge at the consular departments of the foreign representatives or downloaded from the country’s website).
  • 2 x Identical Colour passport photographs  – must not be older than 30 days.
    • Size:  45mm x 35mm
    • No smiling, no head gear, no sunglasses etc
  • Photocopy of return flights clearly showing ​all ​flight sectors (​including to/from RSA).  Ensure trip(s) are no longer than 90 days in a 6 month period.  Passenger full name must be clear.
  • Proof of confirmed hotel accommodation for ​each night​ out of RSA.  ​Accommodation must state the traveller’s name, arrival date, departure date and the address of hotel.
  • If the applicant is staying with friends and family, the host must send a sworn affidavit invitation (that has been certified by the German National Police or a commissioner of oath) confirming names, date and accommodation address.  Copy of hosts passport or ID.   Non-resident hosts must provide proof of ownership of property & a residence permit
  • Proof of residence is required by means of a Utility Bill showing residential address.
  • Travel/Health/Accident insurance: a one page document stating that the applicant is covered by a Schengen Travel Medical Insurance for the entire period of stay with a minimum medical coverage of the Rand equivalent of Euro 30 000 per person for all medical expenses including evacuation, repatriation dead or alive and emergency transportation as well as emergency on/out of hospital medical treatment occurring in any Schengen country. No quotations will be accepted
  • An original bank stamped, latest 3 months bank statements.
    • The statements cannot be older than 14 days from date of Visa Appointment.
    • Bank statements must reflect a monthly salary.
    • Bank Statements must be in English.
    • Approximate amount needs to be equivalent to a minimum of approximately ZAR 1100 per person per day.
    • All sponsorship letters must be certified.
    • Should your spouse/parent/partner be responsible for financial means, please supply a letter from spouse/parent/partner confirming responsibility and provide proof in the form of original bank stamped latest 3 months Bank Statements and a copy of their ID Document
    • Credit card statements or cash will not be accepted
    • Purchase of foreign currency will not be accepted
    • In case of an overdraft, an overdraft summary report from the bank must be submitted.
    • Please note that all foreign passport holders MUST supply 6 months recent bank statements
  • Letter of Employment
  • If employed:  the applicant needs to provide a signed original letter of employment stating salary/annual cost to company and date of employment inception and a certified copy of last three month payslips.
  • If self-employment (Directors, CEO, Board Members), the applicant needs to provide proof of company registration /commercial license and latest VAT certificate.
  • If pensioned or retired the applicant is required to provide proof of pensionership
  • If a student or scholar the applicant is required to provide a letter from the school/university confirming attendance (enrolment letter not accepted).
  • Medical Doctors: valid Licence to practice from HPSCA
  • Lawyers: Proof of registration with Law Association
  • Freelancers: Proof of your engagements (invoices,receipts;etc.)

  • An official invitation letter by event organizer, reflecting full details and purpose of trip.
  • Enrolment/Entry tickets/Event program and an official letter of institution sending the applicant

  • An official letter from school confirming attendance.
  • Letter from parents, confirming that they support the student financially (see above) and proof of same Certified copies of parents ID or passport

  • An official letter from college/university confirming attendance or copy of student card.
  • Letter from parents, confirming that they support the student financially (see above) and proof of same Certified copies of parents ID or passport

New South African passports for minors under the age of 18 are being issued containing the details of the parents as a standard feature.  Children travelling on these new passports do not require any additional documentation when travelling abroad if accompanied by both parents.

If however the children are still travelling on the old passports then ​the following additional documents will be required for any minor travelling with a parent:

  • Copy of unabridged Birth Certificate
  • Copies of parents ID documents
  • Consent letter from each parent not accompanying the minor. ​
  • Both parents are required to appear at the interview for children below the age of 18 years or alternatively supply an affidavit as to why the parent cannot be in attendance.

  • An official business letter from a company in the Schengen state, as well as from the employer stating purpose and date of visit must be presented.
  • An official invitation letter from inviting company reflecting full details and purpose of trip.
    • Hotel reservation is required unless the invitation letter clearly states that accommodation is provided and details of same provided.
  • For conferences proof of registration and payment has to be submitted.

  • A letter of justification of the company and SA partner/branch explaining the purpose of the visit
  • A list of the participants

15 Working days

Visas will be issued for the period of intended stay only (ie. from date of arrival to date of departure)

Maximum 90 days per semester with multiple entries.

WEATHER

In most of Germany, the climate is moderately continental, characterised by cold winters, with average daily temperatures around 0 °C (32 °F) or slightly above, and warm summers, with maximum temperatures around 22/24 °C (72/75 °F) in July and August.

The best time to travel is between May – September.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Germany
Capital City: Berlin
International Airports: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Düsseldorf (DUS), Berlin (TXL)
Area: 357 386 km²
Population: 82,79 million (2017)
Time Zone: GMT+1 UTC+1 (CET)
Religion: Christianity is the largest religion in Germany, comprising an estimated 57% of the country’s population in 2017. The two largest churches of the country are the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), a Protestant confederation of United Protestant (Lutheran and Reformed) churches.
Language: German
Currency: Euro
Exchange Rate: Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate.
Credit Card Payment Availability: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Germany. You can also use American Express and Diners Club credit cards; however, they’re accepted in fewer locations. While Germany ranks highly in Europe for the acceptance of new technology like contactless and mobile payments, it’s still a cash economy.
ATM Accessibility: Easily accessible.
Dialling Code: +49

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Electricity in Germany. In Germany the power plugs and sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Business Hours: Offices: Mon to Frid: 09:00 – 18:00 (with a 1 hour lunch break)
Banking Hours: 10:00 – 16:00 or 10:00 – 18:00
Photography Restrictions: Photography is still considered an art here but according to Section 201a of the German Penal Code, anyone who gives a third party access to a photo taken of another person can be penalized if the photo is “capable of doing significant damage to the reputation of the person shown in it.”
Tipping: Service and VAT are included in the menu price in restaurants, bars, etc. all over Germany. Still, it is typical to “round up” the amount to some more-or-less round figure. A rule of thumb is to add 5-10%, generally ending with a full Euro amount.
Vaccination Requirements: No Vaccinations required, however if you have any doubts please consult with your medical practitioner or travel clinic
Dress Code Restrictions: No Restrictions
Peculiar Customs to Observe
  • Punctuality is important
  • Speaking with your hands in your pockets is considered to be slovenly behaviour.
  • Chewing gum whilst speaking is considered rude, especially during meetings
  • The American A-Okay sign, (index finger and thumb forming a circle), is an obscene gesture.
  • It is rude to blow your nose in public, Germans will leave the room, find a restroom or private area, and blow their nose.
  • Germans prefer you clean and file fingernails in private.
  • When invited for drinks always wait for the host to drink first and when making a toast ensure that you make eye contact.

FESTIVALS

  • Berlin International film festival – February
  • Bruchsal Asparagus Festival -mid May
  • Dresden Music Festival – May & June
  • River Rhine in Flames – May–September
  • Oberammergau Passion Play – Bi Annual May–October
  • Rock am Ring and Rock in Park, Nuremberg – June
  • Kieler Woche or Kiel Week – June
  • Richard Wagner Festival (Bayreuth festival) – July–August
  • Museum Bank Festival (Museumsufer Fest) – August
  • Oktoberfest – September – October
  • Canntstatter Vasen in Stuttgart – Late September to mid-October
  • Frankfurt Book Fair – October
  • Fasching (Karneval) – 11 November
  • Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) –  Notable Christmas markets are in Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Nuremberg, Lubeck, Munster, Stuttgart and Heidelberg – End November – December

MAP

“Berlin, the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine.”

– David Bowie