Norwegian nationals, as well as EU-nationals, nationals of member states of the EEA and citizens of Switzerland, do not require a visa or residence permit to enter Germany. Also, a visa is not required for visits of up to 90 days (short term stay) for nationals of those countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement.

Overview of visa requirements for entry by country

Norway signed the Schengen Agreement on the 25th of March 2001. From this date on holders of a valid Norwegian residence permit and a valid passport or travel document may in principle stay as tourists / visitors without taking up work for up to three months in Germany without a visa. For further information on whether your residence permit is sufficient for travelling to Germany, please contact UDI.

Utlendingsdirektoratet

All stays for more than 90 days or with the purpose of taking up work are considered long term stays. For more information on long term stays, please read the following Information.

All persons wishing to apply for a visa for a long term stay in Germany must apply in person at the German Embassy in Oslo. Only applications with complete supporting documents will be accepted. Unless otherwise mentioned, all documents have to be submitted in original plus 2 copies.

Applications are accepted by appointment only. Each person applying for a visa (even children) has to book an appointment. Please be advised that the processing of your application usually takes up to 3 months. Please make sure, that your Norwegian residence permit does not expire in the meantime. Once you obtained the necessary documentation for your visa application, please send an email to info@oslo.diplo.de, requesting an appointment. We will then make out an appointment per e-mail. Please also mention the purpose for your planned stay to Germany.

If you send us all documents by e-mail (address: info@oslo.diplo.de), as well as the completed application form and a copy of the data page of your passport, we can prepare the interview in advance.

_{Exception: Persons applying for family reunification with holders of subsidary protection status are asked to register for their appointment over the following appointment registration system: Appointment registration for family reunion with holders of subsidiary protection status التسجيل للتقديم على تأشيرة للم الشمل الأسري لحامل حق الحماية الثانوية}

Whilst processing a visa application, the Embassy conducts a thorough examination of each individual application in relation to the German laws and the applicant's reason to travel to Germany. In addition, in most cases the Embassy will consult other German authorities. Therefore the Embassy is not in a position to predict the outcome of a visa application.

To complete your visa application for family reunion, please hand in the following additional documents:

• Birth certificate, with Apostille or Legalisation if not issued in Germany, an EU country or Norway
• 1 Copy of all pages of the passport of your family member, living in Germany
• If applicable: 1 Copy of the residence permit of your family member, living in Germany
• Translation for all certificates into the German or English language, produced by a sworn translator
• For spouses: Marriage certificate, with Apostille or Legalisation if not issued in Germany, an EU country or Norway
• For spouses: Proof of basic knowledge of the German language, issued by an approved organisation (see Flyer)
• For children: Proof of custody rights for the child
• For children of 16 years of age or older: Proof of German language skills or exceptional hardship

A visa for family reunion can only be issued to establish a familial union within existing family ties. In general, sufficient means of subsistence and adequate living space for all family members in Germany are required. Exceptions for family members of refugees and EU-/EEA-nationals exist. As for the subsequent immigration of spouses, basic skills of the German language are a basic condition for issuing a visa. Children of 16 years of age or older have to prove knowledge of the German language or a case of exceptional hardship.

Basic knowledge of the German language in the event of subsequent immigration of spouses

To complete your visa application for getting married in Germany, please hand in the following additional documents:

• Marriage License, issued by the relevant German registrar's office, not older than 6 months
• Birth certificate; With Apostille or Legalisation if not issued in Germany, an EU country or Norway
• 1 Copy of all pages of your fiancé's passport
• If applicable: 1 Copy of your fiancé's German residence permit
• Proof of basic knowledge of the German language issued by an approved organisation
• Proof of health insurance valid for all Schengen-countries, until a German family health insurance is in effect. The health insurance has to be submitted only after your visa application has been approved
• Translation for all certificates into the German or English language, produced by a sworn translator

A visa for getting married in Germany can only be issued if the wedding can take place immediately after your entry into Germany. It cannot be issued, if the marriage serves only to allow you a permanent stay in Germany. Sufficient means of subsistence and adequate living space in Germany as well as basic skills of the German language are required.

To complete your visa application for studying in Germany, please hand in the following additional documents:

• Acceptance or reservation letter from a German university or college, mentioning the branch, the place and the precise course of studies
• University degree certificates or proof of previous and/or present studies
• For undergraduates: Proof of higher education entrance qualification by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) im Sekretariat der Kultusministerkonferenz, Postfach 2240, 53012 Bonn, Tel.: 0049-228-501-664, E-Mail: zabservice@kmk.org
• Curriculum Vitae in tabular form in German or English
• A detailed cover letter in German or English with information on the intended studies in Germany, the field of study and study subjects as well as future plans after graduation and concrete ideas on how subsequent years will be financed after the first year
• Proof of knowledge in the language of instruction
• Proof of funding for the time of your studies in Germany in the form of EITHER a) Blocked bank account (Sperrkonto) at a German bank in your name, with a minimum balance of 8640,- Euros for the first year of your studies and an allowance to dispose of a maximum amount of 720,- Euros per month OR b) formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor living in Germany OR c) proof of a scholarship with equal amounts
• Proof of health insurance valid for all Schengen-countries, until a German student health insurance is signed and in effect. The health insurance has to be submitted only after your visa application has been approved

Basic conditions for issuing a visa for studying in Germany are a higher education/university entrance qualification and the acceptance at a German university or college. Also, sufficient means of subsistence and ample knowledge in the language of instruction are required. Citizens of Andorra, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino, Brasil and El Salvador may obtain the residence permit for study purposes after entering Germany.

To complete your visa application for internship, practical training in Germany, please hand in the following additional documents:

• Approval letter or internship contract with a German employer, including information with regard to the conditions of the stay (payment, work hours, subject/tasks, social insurance)
• Documents showing your professional qualification and experience, e.g. university degree certificates or proof of previous and/or present studies
• Motivation letter in German or English, explaining the exact purpose and duration of your stay in Germany
• If applicable: Consent letter from „Bundesagentur für Arbeit“ (to be obtained by your German employer in advance)
• Proof of language proficiency in the language of instruction at your German employer
• Proof of funding for the time of your studies in Germany in the form of EITHER a) a salary of at least 659,- € per month OR b) a blocked account at a bank in Germany containing the amount of at least 659,- € per month OR c) formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) by a sponsor living in Germany
• Proof of accomodation for your entire stay in Germany
• Proof of health insurance valid for all Schengen-countries, until a German health insurance is signed and in effect. The health insurance has to be submitted only after your visa application has been approved

According to German laws, working as an intern qualifies as work. Therefore a work permit is required. Participating in an internship serves for gaining professional experience. Summer or seasonal jobs do not qualify as an internship. Facilitated procedures for internships that are part of EU-programmes or whose duration does not exceed 9 months and that are arranged by the German Federal Employment Agency exist. Citizens of countries that don't need a visa for a short-term visit in Germany can take part in an internship in Germany for up to three months without a work permit. If the duration of the internship in Germany exceeds three months, a visa/work permit has to be obtained before entering Germany.

To complete your visa application for employment or operational training in Germany, please hand in the following additional documents:

• work agreement/contract, containing detailed information about the assignment, the duration of employment and work hours, social insurance coverage and your salary
• Documents showing your professional qualification and experience, e.g. university degree certificates or proof of previous and/or present studies
• Curriculum Vitae in tabular form in German or English
• If available: Consent letter from „Bundesagentur für Arbeit“ (to be obtained by your German employer in advance)
• Proof of language proficiency in the workplace language at your German employer
• Proof of accomodation for your entire stay in Germany
• Proof of a health insurance valid for all Schengen-countries, until a German health insurance is signed and in effect. The health insurance has to be submitted only after your visa application has been approved

In general employment is characterized by employed labor, especially in an employment relationship. Evidence of employment are activities according to instructions and inclusion in the work organization of another person in charge. Facilitated procedures for highly skilled or specialised workers exist. If you are self-employed, please contact the Embassy for detailed information on the visa procedure.

To complete your visa application for research in Germany, please hand in the following additional documents:

• work agreement/contract, containing detailed information about the assignment, the duration of employment and work hours, social insurance coverage and your salary/scholarship
• University degree certificates, proof of previous and/or present studies or research assignment
• Curriculum Vitae in tabular form in German or English
• If applicable: Consent letter from „Bundesagentur für Arbeit“ (to be obtained by your German employer in advance)
• Proof of language proficiency in the workplace language at your German university or research facility
• Proof of accomodation for your entire stay in Germany
• Proof of a health insurance valid for all Schengen-countries, until a German health insurance is signed and in effect. The health insurance has to be submitted only after your visa application has been approved

A residence permit/visa can be granted to people intending to do research at a research facility recognized by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, provided a valid „hosting agreement“ has been concluded by the foreigner and the research facility, declaring the liability of the research organization for all costs possibly arising. A list of the accredited research organizations is available online at www.bamf.de/forschungsaufenthalte . The visa procedure in this case is conducted as a simplified procedure. A residence permit cannot be granted if the hosting agreement with the researcher is only valid for a temporary appointment.

To complete your visa application for skilled workers with university degree, please hand in the following additional documents:

• Proof of academic qualification by a German university degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a German university degree - for recognition of non-German degrees, kindly refer to anabin.kmk.org
• Proof of professional qualification and experience, e.g. relevant previous work experience certificates
• Motivation letter in German or English, explaining the exact purpose and course of action for finding work in Germany as well as the duration of your stay in Germany and further career plans should your job-search in Germany be unsuccessful
• Curriculum Vitae in tabular form in German or English
• Proof of funding for the time of your stay in Germany in the form of EITHER a) a bank account in Germany plus proof of accomodation (the bank account must contain at least the full amount for accomodation and health insurance plus 374,- Euro per months) OR b) a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) by a sponsor living in Germany
• Proof of health insurance valid for all Schengen-countries, until a German health insurance is signed and in effect. The health insurance has to be submitted only after your visa application has been approved
• Only applicants with a German university degree or with a foreign degree that is equivalent to a German university degree are qualified for a job-seeker-visa. If your foreign degree is only partially equivalent („bedingt vergleichbar“) you are requested to get your degree recognized via this link

The visa can only be valid for up to six months, it cannot be extended. Sufficient means of subsistence are required. If the job-search is successful, the job-seeker-visa has to be converted to a work permit by the local German Alien's Authority (Ausländerbehörde). Working while still on a job-seeker-visa is not allowed. Applicants who are already living in Germany on another type of visa or resident permit do not qualify for a job-seeker-visa.

Starting from the 1th of August 2018, close relatives (spouses, under-age single children and parents of under-age children ) may apply for family reunion with holders of subsidary protection status living in Germany. Relatives wishing family reunion may already register for an appointment for visa application using the following web page:

Appointment registration for family reunion with holders of subsidiary protection status التسجيل للتقديم على تأشيرة للم الشمل الأسري لحامل حق الحماية الثانوية

Upon completion of the registration process, you will recieve two seperate e-mails:

a) the first message within 30 minutes of your registration which includes your reference number

b) the second message once your appointment date and time have been set. When you recieve the second e-mail, please contact the Embassy regarding the documents to be submitted.

To complete your visa application for family reunion, you will need the following documents:

• Birth certificate, with Apostille or Legalisation if not issued in Germany, an EU country or Norway
• 1 Copy of all pages of the passport of your family member, living in Germany
• If applicable: 1 Copy of the residence permit of your family member, living in Germany
• Translation for all certificates into the German or English language, produced by a sworn translator
• For spouses: Marriage certificate, with Apostille or Legalisation if not issued in Germany, an EU country or Norway
• For spouses: Proof of basic knowledge of the German language, issued by an approved organisation (see Flyer)
• For children: Proof of custody rights for the child
• For children of 16 years of age or older: Proof of German language skills or exceptional hardship