National visa are issued for long-term stays for a particular purpose (e.g. for studying, family reunion, working). Usually issued for 90 days, such visa may be issued for up to a year in certain cases. After entering Germany, visa holders must apply for a residence permit.

Important information for all applicants who want to apply for a visa for family reunion:

The afghan visa section in Islamabad is working with the external service provider VFS and the (“Family Assistant Program”) IOM. Applicants will be contacted directly by VFS or IOM for the scheduling of an appointment.

Current waiting time for an appointment
Please note that appointments for family reunion are currently only available in over one year time. Appointments for other national visas (student visa, work visa etc.) are available in 12 months time. Please note that the waiting times indicated on our website are estimates only as it is very hard to estimate the exact waiting times in Advance.

1. Preparing your application

You should start preparing your application as soon as you have plans to stay long term in Germany. The entire visa application process can take several months. Please prepare your application as follows:

• Please compile the documents you need to submit with your application. All copies must be submitted in colour and in DIN A4 form. The copies must not be stapled, glued or tacked. The copies will be scanned. If documents or supporting documents are missing, your application may be rejected.
• We have prepared a followed checklist for each type of visa.
  

• Please make an appointment to submit your application. You can register for an appointment for new applications for family reunification, student visas etc. here:

• As of 1 August 2018, close family members (spouses, unmarried minor children and parents of minor children) of a person eligible for subsidiary protection in Germany will be able to apply for a visa for the purpose of family reunion. Please find further information here: Information for persons eligible for subsidiary protection
• Timely notification to family reunification with a family member who is entitled to asylum or has been recognised as a refugee can be submitted to the Website
  www.fap.diplo.de

2. Complete Visa Applications

Incomplete visa applications cannot be processed and will lead to delays and even rejection. Experience has shown that only 5% of all applications are submitted complete thus causing more delays for all applicants. Therefore please carefully read the information provided and prepare your documents accordingly to help us reduce the waiting time for all applicants.

Beware of commercial visa agencies!
Our office does not work with brokers or agencies. These individuals and organisations are NOT able to secure appointments with us.

The only cost involved is the visa fee charged by the Embassy, Consulate General or Consulate. Applications, checklists and appointments are provided free of charge.

3. Submitting your application

In order to submit your application, please attend your appointment at the Embassy in person. Please hand in your complete documentation and pay the fee. The Embassy, Consulate General or Consulate will ask you questions about your planned trip and take your photograph and fingerprints.

What happens during processing?

The Embassy, Consulate General or Consulate will review your application and make a decision on whether or not to grant you a visa. To this end, it will check whether your application meets the legal requirements. Depending on the purpose of your trip, it can take up to six months to check your application. The Embassy, Consulate General or Consulate will contact you as soon as it has made a decision 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 authorised in writing by the applicant.

Return of your passport

As soon as the Embassy, Consulate General or Consulate has reached a decision on your application, you will be contacted with Information how to collect your passport. 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 fill out the following power of attorney:
Power of attorney
Power of attorney (children)

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.