Germany Visa Thailand

If you want to travel or live in Germany as a non-German citizen, you need to acquire a Germany visa for entry into the country. There are many different types of German visas you can apply for in Thailand, each option fulfilling a specific purpose such as tourism, family, business activities, and study.

Continue reading to find out more about the different types of Germany visas, who they are designed for, and how to apply for one while in Thailand.

What are the different Germany Visa options in Thailand?

German Schengen Visa

Also known as a German Visitor Visa, this grants you the opportunity to visit Germany temporarily for tourism purposes. It permits you to stay in the country for up to 90 days and you can also use it to visit other countries that are a part of the Schengen Area in Europe.

Germany Business Visa

If you have plans to set up a business in Germany, the Germany Business Visa lets you carry out these affairs legally. While holding this visa, you can reside in the country for up to 90 days per entry within the span of 6 months.

Germany Spouse Visa

If you are married to a German citizen or permanent resident, they can sponsor you for a Germany Spouse Visa. This grants you up to 90 days in the country, during which you have to acquire 1 out of 2 residence titles (either the unlimited settlement permit or the limited resident permit) if you wish to continue staying in Germany.

Germany Fiance Visa

If you are engaged to a German partner, they can sponsor you for a German Fiance Visa. This grants you up to 90 days in Germany with the option to apply for 1 out of 2 residence titles (the unlimited settlement permit or limited resident permit) to prolong your stay.

Completing your marriage while holding this visa also permits you to apply for a German Spouse Visa, granting further opportunities to secure permanent residency in the country.

Germany Student Visa

If you are looking to move to Germany to study or learn a new language, you can acquire a Germany Student Visa. This allows you to advance your education in the country for up to 3 months (with some options offering a 6-month duration) with the possibility to apply for a residence permit to reside in Germany even longer. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a valid educational institution in Germany.

Requirements for a Germany Visa from Thailand

The eligibility criteria and required documents vary based on the visa type. On a general level, you would need to provide the following documents if you are applying for it while in Thailand:

• Valid passport from the foreign applicant
• Proof of payment of the appropriate visa fee
• Completed application form (for the selected visa)
• At least 2 passport-sized photographs of the applicant (the German Fiancé(e) Visa requires 4)
• Proof of finances (such as a bank statement)
• Proof of address in Germany (such as a hotel reservation)
• Proof of relationship documents (if a German Spouse or Fiancé(e) Visa)

If you are being sponsored by a German national, you will usually need to provide a signed obligation letter as proof that they will be financing your visit to Germany. Alternatively, if you are being invited by a German citizen or permanent resident, you will need to provide:

• A written invitation letter stating the name of the host, their address, and the duration of your visit
• A photocopy of the host’s passport
• A bank statement from your host’s financial institution covering their finances for the previous 3 months (or other relevant financial documents showing that they can support you during your stay)
• Proof of relationship documents, both the original document and a photocopy, highlighting your connection with the host or inviting party (such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or family book)*

*NOTE: If you and the inviting party are not blood-related (often common with couples in a relationship), then you need to provide proof of correspondence, a photocopy of their passport’s biopage, and their travel history.

There are also other additional documents you may need depending on the application in question. For example, if you are applying for a German Student Visa, you would need to submit a letter of acceptance from a German educational institution.

How to Apply for a Germany Visa from Thailand

Once you have all the documents ready, you can submit your application. The steps you have to go through to complete the said application vary depending on the visa. If you need extra help in completing your application or reviewing all the documents before submission, you should consult a professional German visa specialist or attorney.

German Embassy in Thailand

If you want to apply for a German visa while in Thailand, your application will be submitted to the German VFS in Thailand. Once VFS has collected your biometrics, they will forward the application to the German Embassy in Thailand. Also known as the Deutsche Botschaft Bangkok, this German Embassy accepts applications for German visas from Thai applicants or foreign nationals who are staying in Thailand.

An immigration officer will be assigned by the embassy to work on reviewing your case. If you are required to interview as part of your application, you will need to schedule an appointment at the embassy and attend it in person. After passing the interview, the embassy forwards the application to the immigration authorities in Germany.

The authorities in Germany will continue to process the application and come to a decision on whether or not to grant the visa. If you are approved, they will notify the German Embassy in Thailand and you can book an appointment with them to collect your passport, which will have your visa affixed to it.

How Siam Legal Can Help

Before applying for a German visa, reach out to Siam Legal for assistance with your application. With over 20 years of experience as a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand, our team of visa consultants has the expertise and knowledge to help you obtain a German visa as quickly and efficiently as possible.

To help you achieve this goal, we guide you step-by-step through your application, assist in collecting the necessary documents, and thoroughly review your application to identify errors and mistakes that could cause delays.

Contact Siam Legal today to further streamline and address any challenges with your German visa application. Whether it’s to help you navigate your application and overcome any hurdles, we are here to assist you in starting your journey to Germany smoothly and with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I receive a document checklist for any of the Germany Visa Options?

Yes, our foreign visa team will provide you with a document checklist detailing all the required documents for the selected application.

How long does it take to receive a German Visa from Thailand?

The processing times for German visas depend on the type of visa you are applying for. While each one has an estimate for how long it could take, certain factors can impact the application processing time and cause delays, such as missing or incorrectly prepared documents.

• If you are applying for a Schengen Visa, it usually only takes 15 days on average to obtain your visa.
• For a German Family Visa, such as a fiance or spouse visa, it can take up to 12 weeks for it to be issued to your loved ones.
• The processing times for a German Student Visa are between 4 to 12 weeks. 
• It usually takes 10 to 15 days to receive a German Business Visa after submitting your application.

How do I meet the minimum financial requirements for a German Visa?

There are many ways you can satisfy the minimum financial requirements to prove you have enough money to sustain yourself during your stay. The easiest is to show that you meet the minimum as shown in your bank account. You can request for your bank to provide you with a letter or statement listing the amount of funds you currently have in your savings. The same applies to the German citizen responsible for sponsoring you.

The amount required varies based on several factors and changes over time, so consult a visa specialist or contact the embassy directly for more accurate numbers.

How much do you charge for your German Visa Services?

The amount we charge you depends on what type of German visa you are applying for, as each one comes with a different cost. This fee only takes into account the amount we charge for our services, it does not include the visa and application fees.

What can I do if my visa has been rejected?

If your German visa application has been rejected, you can submit a new application. If you find yourself in this situation, get in touch with our foreign visa team over at Siam Legal. We will assess the reasoning behind the refusal and help you reapply for your visa.