All persons who wish to seek gainful employment in Germany are required to obtain a residence permit in the form of a visa. A work permit will be included in this visa issued for this purpose.

A national visa entitles you to enter the other Schengen countries for the duration for up to 90 days.

After submitting your visa application, your visa file might be forwarded to the competent German authorities. Therefore, it can take several weeks up to months to process your national visa applications. After the application has been approved, the German Embassy will issue a national visa with the duration for up to one year. A final residence permit will be granted in Germany by the Immigration Office if you intent to stay in Germany permanently.

Please provide one set of copies plus original documents. Please prepare your application carefully and organise all documents according to this list in the given order. Please bring your original certificates as well as your original Au-Pair contract along. Please DO NOT staple any documents.

Incomplete documentation may result in the rejection of your application.

• VIDEX application form fully completed including declaration Section 54 (2) 8, duly signed
• Valid passport
  • Signed by the holder
  • with at least two consecutive blank pages
  • valid for at least 6 months
  • issued within the last 10 years
• 1 copy of the passport, including all pages with entries
• Irish residence permit + copy
• 1 biometric passport photo (please do not attach the picture to the application form)
  • Size: 35 x 45 mm
  • not older than six months
  • with a bright background and frontal view of the face
  • Digitally-altered passport pictures will not be accepted.
• Detailed CV (up to date, in German or English including the city, province or territory of the employer or educational institution)
• Motivation letter
• Au Pair contract with an Au Pair agency or family in Germany stating the full address (including postal code) of your Au Pair family
• Proof of German language skills, at least level A1
• Self-addressed envelope (An Post only), 9,50,- Euros stamp OR a stamped envelope can be purchased for 12,- Euros at the Embassy
• Visa fee: 75,- Euros (to be paid in cash or with credit card, contactless payments are not available)
• After approval: Health insurance covering you for the duration of your visa

Please note that the German Embassy Dublin reserves the right to ask for additional documents at any time during processing. Submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa is granted.