A visa is a residence permit for a certain country. Those who receive a visa are allowed to cross, travel or stay in the country for a certain period of time. However, not every visa is the same – different regulations apply from country to country.
For example, there are visas on arrival, ESTA or the classic visa. With the visa on arrival it is usually sufficient to apply for the visa on the spot – you will then receive a stamp in your passport at the airport and from then on your visa is valid for a certain period of time (e.g. 30 days). At the airport you fill out a form and that’s it.
If a country requires ESTA (electronic entry permit), then you have to apply for your visa online beforehand – but don’t worry, it’s very quick. With a classic visa, you have to go to the local embassy in Germany or to a worldwide consulate to apply for your entry permit. This can sometimes cost a few nerves, because often many documents are required.
Always check in advance on the website of the German Foreign Office whether you need a visa and how you have to proceed with the application. While entering some countries is comparatively easy (e.g. Peru or Cambodia), entering Russia, China or Mongolia requires more time, accuracy and nerves.
If you need to apply for a classical visa at the embassy, we recommend you to call the embassy in advance and ask for the necessary documents. It is possible that not all required documents are listed on the internet. Second important tip: Apply for your visa as early as possible. This way you will avoid unnecessary complications and surcharges.
If the visa application is very complicated, you can also consider using a visa service. They will then take care of the time-consuming procedure for you. Especially if you are traveling to China or Russia, the visa service can be worth the money. But be careful: The earlier, the better.
