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Glossary: Schengen visa

Category: Visa & Residence Permits (Residence permit as a short-term visa according to § 4 para. 1 sentence 2 no. 1 alternative 1 of the Residence Act )

Author: Mirko Vorreuter , LL.B. , Attorney at Law and Specialist Attorney for Immigration Law (License examination via the Federal Official Directory of Lawyers possible)

The image shows an official/formal visa (legal template) as a sticker in a passport. The sticker is the physical document with which foreigners prove their residence status and their right to enter Germany.

Image description: The image shows a mandatory template of a visa stamp in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 on a uniform visa design , which is regularly updated. This template applies to both the Schengen visa (category C) and the national visa (category D). Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 on a uniform visa design has been transposed into German law by Section 59 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) . The visa stamp is printed in Annex D13a of the Residence Ordinance .

Under “Remarks,” it must be stated whether employment is permitted or not for a Schengen visa ( § 4a AufenthG ). Generally, a Schengen visa does not permit employment (exception: Schengen hybrid visa ). In some cases, further supplementary provisions may be entered at the discretion of the processing officer.

Table of contents

1. What does a Schengen visa look like (image)?

2. Definition of Schengen visa

3. Who needs a Schengen visa?

4. Example of a Schengen visa

5. Important information about the Schengen visa

5.1 Duration of a Schengen visa

5.2 Extension of Schengen visa

5.3 Costs of a Schengen visa

5.4 Processing time for Schengen visa

5.5 Competent authority for Schengen visas

6. Rights and opportunities Schengen visa

6.1 Work permit with the Schengen visa

6.2 Studying, school, language course with a Schengen visa

6.3 Family reunification with a Schengen visa

6.4 Travel and stays abroad with a Schengen visa

6.5 Eligible group of persons for a Schengen visa

7. Requirements for a Schengen visa

8. Required documents for a Schengen visa

9. Apply for a Schengen visa online

10. Advantages of a Schengen visa

11. Permanent residence permit with a Schengen visa

11.1 Path from Schengen visa to permanent residence permit

11.2 Path from Schengen visa to naturalization

11.3 Next steps Schengen visa

12. Legal basis for Schengen visas

13. Important laws regarding Schengen visas

14. Important rulings on Schengen visas

15. Frequently Asked Questions about Schengen Visas

16. Further information

16.1 Schengen visa in other glossaries

16.2 Related Topics

16.3 Blog posts about the Schengen visa

16.4 Glossary entries for the Schengen visa

16.5 Sources and references for the Schengen visa

Definition of Schengen visa

The Schengen visa, pursuant to Section 6 Paragraph 1 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) (legally correct: uniform visa (Visa Code); also: C visa (Residence Act)/short-term visa (short visa); English: Uniform Visa (Visa Code)/C visa (German Residence Act)/Short-term Visa/90-Day Visa), is a temporary residence permit for entry into and residence in Germany and the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. Unlike the long-term national D visa, the Schengen visa is not tied to a specific purpose and can also be issued for purely visiting purposes. Employment with a Schengen visa is generally not permitted (see Section 6 Paragraph 2a of the German Residence Act; exceptions: deemed non-employment provisions and the so-called Schengen hybrid visa ).


There are significant differences between a short-term Schengen visa and a long-term national D visa with regard to large parts of the legal framework, as the Schengen visa is largely governed by European law . Converting a short-term Schengen visa into a long-term national visa is only possible in exceptional cases, and no certificates of deemed residence are issued for Schengen visas (see Section 81 Paragraph 3 of the German Residence Act ).

Who needs a Schengen visa?

All third-country nationals who wish to stay in Germany for a short period (up to 90 days) require a Schengen visa unless they are exempt from the visa requirement for short stays (see Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 establishing the list of third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders and the list of third countries whose nationals are exempt from this visa requirement, and Section 41 of the German Residence Ordinance ). Even individuals who can normally enter visa-free require a Schengen visa if they intend to work in Germany and are not subject to the deemed non-employment rule (so-called Schengen hybrid visa ). European citizens do not need a Schengen visa to stay in Germany ( Section 1 of the German Residence Act ). Diplomats and heads of state also do not require a Schengen visa, as the Host State Act (GastStG) applies to them, not the Residence Act ( § 1 para. 2 no. 2 AufenthG ). The same applies to employees of international organizations (also Host State Act (GastStG) ) and NATO military personnel ( Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) ) as well as their respective family members, to whom the relevant international treaties apply, not the Residence Act ( § 1 para. 2 no. 3 AufenthG ).


In practice, the Schengen visa is primarily required for short-term business trips (especially secondments , retreats, and trade fair visits), short-term family visits and educational stays (seminars, conferences, and training courses), short-term medical stays (e.g., operations in Germany), and for vacations and tourism. Based on these scenarios, some subcategories of Schengen visas have emerged in practice (e.g., so-called business visas or medical visas ).

Example : A Pakistani businessman wants to come to Berlin for 3 days for a logistics trade fair in order to establish business contacts in Germany.

Important information about the Schengen visa

Duration of Schengen visa

The validity period of a Schengen visa (up to 5 years) is distinct from the number of permitted days of stay (up to 90 days). Both the number of permitted days and the validity period are at the discretion of the issuing diplomatic missions. The visa can be issued for one, two, or multiple entries ( Article 24, paragraph 1 of the Visa Code ). Multiple-entry visas are issued with a validity period of between six months and five years, provided the applicant demonstrates a need for the visa, as well as their integrity and reliability ( Article 24, paragraph 2 of the Visa Code ). In the case of transit, the permitted length of stay must correspond to the time necessary for the purpose of transit.

Schengen visa extension

A Schengen visa can only be extended in exceptional cases . An extension is generally only possible for the reasons specified in Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (force majeure or humanitarian reasons), to safeguard the political interests of the Federal Republic of Germany, or for reasons of international law .

Cost of a Schengen visa

The fee for issuing a Schengen visa (category "C") is €60 ( Article 16, paragraph 1 of the Visa Code ). For children between the ages of six and twelve, a visa fee of €35 is payable. The visa fee is regularly reviewed to ensure that administrative costs are adequately covered. In individual cases, the visa fee may be waived or reduced. The Schengen visa fee is usually payable at the visa application appointment . When paying the Schengen visa fee, it is important to note whether it must be paid in the local currency or in euros, and whether payment must be made in cash or electronically. External service providers (e.g., TLSContact , VFS , or iData ) may charge an additional service fee ( Article 17, paragraph 1, sentence 1 of the Visa Code ). Legal fees, potential court costs , and translation and authentication fees may also apply.

Schengen visa processing time

The processing time for a Schengen visa depends on the embassy or country and its efficiency, as well as the domestic authorities involved (especially the security authorities (see Article 22 of the Visa Code )) and the consistency and documentation of the travel purpose information. Studies show that processing times in poorer countries are significantly longer than in wealthier Western countries . The legally stipulated processing time for Schengen visa applications (which in practice is often far exceeded in 90% of cases) is generally 15 days ( Article 23 of the Visa Code). However, according to the Visa Code, this does not apply to the scheduling of an appointment , but only to the processing time after the documents have been received at the appointment . If you cannot obtain an appointment, you must submit your visa application in writing with the assistance of a specialist immigration lawyer and then, after three months, file an action for failure to act pursuant to Section 75 of the German Administrative Court Procedure Act (VwGO) .

Competent authority for Schengen visas

The Member State responsible for examining and deciding on an application for a Schengen visa is the Member State in whose territory the sole destination(s) are located, or, if the trip includes multiple destinations, the Member State in whose territory the main destination(s) are located, taking into account the duration and purpose of the stay (intra-European jurisdiction, Article 5(1) of the Visa Code ). The application is examined and decided by the consulate of the responsible Member State in whose consular district the applicant has their legal residence (territorial jurisdiction, Article 6(1) of the Visa Code ). The German missions abroad authorized by the Federal Foreign Office are responsible for issuing Schengen visas (domestic jurisdiction, Section 71(2) of the Residence Act). Missions abroad include embassies, consulates general, consulates, and permanent missions to intergovernmental and supranational organizations (Section 3(1) of the Foreign Service Act), as well as their external service providers. In many cases, there are several German diplomatic missions in the respective countries. In these cases, the jurisdiction of the diplomatic mission for issuing a Schengen visa can usually be found on the website of the respective mission (see, for example, the consulate finder in the USA and the overview of consular districts in Great Britain ). The designation as "embassy" or "consulate" has no bearing on the technical jurisdiction for issuing Schengen visas.

Rights and options regarding Schengen visas

Work permit Schengen visa

Working with a Schengen visa is not permitted (see Section 6 Paragraph 2a of the German Residence Act ) and even constitutes a criminal offense (see Section 95 Paragraph 1a of the German Residence Act ). The only exceptions are the so-called " Schengen hybrid visa ," which is specifically issued for short-term employment purposes, and the so-called "fiction of non-employment."

Studies , school , language course , Schengen visa

Attending university, school, or language courses is possible with any residence permit, including a Schengen visa. Unlike a work permit, no separate authorization is required.

Family reunification Schengen visa

Family reunification is not possible with a Schengen visa. Exceptions exist only in very limited humanitarian cases or medical emergencies . However, these cases are rarely relevant in practice.

Travel and stays abroad Schengen visa

Entry to and exit from Germany is possible with a Schengen visa if it has been issued for multiple entries (multi-entry) .

Eligible group of people for a Schengen visa

All non-European foreigners (third-country nationals) are eligible to obtain a Schengen visa . Only foreigners whose habitual residence is outside of Germany can apply for a Schengen visa (otherwise, German missions abroad have no jurisdiction ). Third-country nationals can also apply for a Schengen visa within the Schengen Area ( Article 7 of the Visa Code ). Foreigners already in the destination country must apply for a residence permit instead of a visa, although the two terms are sometimes used synonymously. German citizens cannot obtain a Schengen visa, as the Residence Act does not apply to them ( Section 1 of the Residence Act ). European citizens do not need a Schengen visa to enter Germany.

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Requirements for a Schengen visa

From a purely legal standpoint, only the general requirements for issuance of a Schengen visa as defined in Section 5 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) apply. Unlike the long-term national D visa, there are no specific requirements for the issuance of a Schengen visa , and in particular, no legally defined purpose of stay. In practice, however, the requirements for a Schengen visa differ considerably depending on the country in which the visa is applied for. This is especially true regarding the stringency of the standards that embassies and consulates apply to the plausibility and consistency of the application. While in Western countries such as the USA , Great Britain , Canada , and Australia, a superficial justification for the application may suffice, in North Africa and Central Asia, sometimes insurmountable formal requirements are imposed on the documentation of the application (excessive plausibility checks ). German case law supports this discriminatory practice of foreign missions to a certain extent by granting the Federal Foreign Office and the foreign missions a discretionary margin of appreciation in assessing the intention to return, which is not subject to judicial review ( Federal Administrative Court, judgment of 17 September 2015, 1 C 37.14 ; Administrative Court of Berlin, judgment of 21 February 2014, file no. VG 4 K 232.11 V).

In practice, it is therefore impossible to obtain a Schengen visa in some countries without legal assistance . This highlights the (legally intended) influence of the executive branch's political discretion on immigration law. From a legal perspective, this discretionary power is understandable to a certain extent, as the Schengen visa can certainly be described as susceptible to abuse given the large number of illegal immigrants (permanent overstays ). The Visa Code also stipulates that the application process must assess, in particular, whether the applicant poses a risk of illegal immigration, whether they represent a threat to the security of the Member States, and whether they intend to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa applied for ( Article 21(1) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code) ). This obligation to examine applications is in tension with the rights of the applicants.


The purely theoretical legal requirements (which differ considerably from actual legal practice) for the issuance of a Schengen visa are as follows:

  1. Rückkehrwillen des Antragstellers (bei großzügigem Maßstab Rückflugticket ausreichend, bei restriktivem Maßstab vollständige Offenlegung des Privatbereichs des Antragstellers erforderlich (bis hin zu Familienfotos, Kontoauszügen, eidesstattlichen Versicherungen von Verwandten und Schulzeugnissen))

  2. Gesicherter Lebensunterhalt des Antragstellers (finanzielle Stabilität): Arbeitsvertrag, Sperrkonto, Verpflichtungserklärung oder Kontoauszüge erforderlich

  3. Nachweis des Aufenthaltszwecks: Das Schengen-Recht sieht vor, dass bei der Einreise mit Schengen-Visum ein Nachweis des Aufenthaltszweck verlangt werden kann (Art. 14 Visakodex)

  4. Gültiger Pass und gesicherte Identität (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1a, Nr. 3 AufenthG)

  5. Keine andauernden Ermittlungen/kein anhängiges Strafverfahren gegen den Antragsteller (siehe § 79 Abs. 2 AufenthG)

  6. Kein Ausweisungsinteresse (keine negativen AZR/SIS/VIS-Einträge), keine nationale Sicherheitsgefahr, keine Vorstrafen (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 2, Nr. 3 AufenthG) und keine Einreisesperre (§ 11 AufenthG) / keine von den Mitgliedstaaten gemäß Art. 22 Visakodex angemeldeten Sicherheitsbedenken

  7. Keine Erlöschensgründe (§ 51 AufenthG) vorhanden


Die Erfüllung der Voraussetzungen von Schengen-Visa sind häufig Gegenstand von gerichtlichen Verfahren (Versagungsgegenklage). Ein behördliches Verfahren existiert beim Schengen-Visum nach einer Ablehnung nicht, da das Widerspruchsverfahren gemäß § 68 Abs. 1 Nr. VwGO nicht zulässig ist bei Verwaltungsakten von obersten Landesbehörden (Auslandsvertretungen als Teil des Auswärtigen Amts (§ 2 GAD)) und das Remonstrationsverfahren abgeschafft wurde. Der weitaus überwiegende Teil dieser gerichtlichen Verfahren wird im Schengen-Recht wegen fehlender Plausibilität, einem fehlenden Rückkehrwillen oder dem Vorhandensein von Ausweisungsgründen/Sicherheitsbedenken (insbesondere negativen Einträgen im Schengen-Informationssystem (SIS)) geführt. Auch finanzielle Gründe sind häufig ein Ablehnungsgrund bei Schengenvisa, wenn keine Verpflichtungserklärung beigebracht werden kann.

Required documents for a Schengen visa

The requirements for a Schengen visa are proven with the appropriate documents (e.g., proof of sufficient means of subsistence is often provided with bank statements). The documents required for a Schengen visa depend on the country in which the visa is applied for. In Western countries (especially the USA , Great Britain , Canada , and Australia ), fewer documents are usually required, and often no authentication or apostille is necessary. Submitting documents for a Schengen visa in Western countries is often possible in English and digitally. In countries with high migration pressure (e.g., North African and Central Asian countries), however, the staff at the embassy or consulate usually apply very strict standards when verifying documents and information.


It is not possible to definitively answer which documents are required for a Schengen visa application in all cases, as the document requirements also depend on the discretion of the processing officer. However, the minimum document requirements for a Schengen visa are set out in Article 10(3) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code) . Accordingly, the applicant for a Schengen visa must submit at least the following documents:

  1. Application form pursuant to Article 11 and Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code) ; implemented in practice with the VIDEX form for short-term stays

  2. A travel document (usually a passport ) valid for at least 3 months with at least two blank pages, issued within the last 10 years ( Art. 12 Visa Code )

  3. Providing fingerprints where required ( Art. 13 Visa Code ); not required for trustworthy applicants (Bona Fide Schengen visa)

  4. Documents required under Article 14 of the Visa Code : Documents proving the purpose of the stay (e.g., letter of invitation ), documents proving accommodation (e.g., hotel reservation), documents proving financial stability (e.g., bank statements), documents proving the intention to return (e.g., flight ticket)

  5. Travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros ( Art. 15 Visa Code )

  6. Payment of the visa fee of 60 euros ( Art. 16 Visa Code and § 46 para. 2 no. 3 Residence Ordinance)

  7. For airport transit visas, additionally: documents for onward travel to the destination airport and information proving that no entry into the territory of the transit country is intended ( Art. 14 para. 2 Visa Code )

  8. Only if applying from outside the home country: Valid residence permit in the host country (in case of illegal residence, the jurisdiction of the foreign mission is problematic)

  9. Other formalities:

  • Only required if applying through an authorized representative (e.g., a lawyer ): Power of attorney

  • When applying for a visa in a country other than the country of origin: valid residence permit of the respective country.

  • Fees for the residence permit

  • Photograph (passport photo) that complies with the standards of Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 ; see also sample photos of the Federal Foreign Office

  • Depending on the authority: Data protection declaration/Consent to data processing

  • If the foreigner's name in the submitted documents differs from the name in the passport : Certificate of name change

The required documents for the Schengen visa are usually listed on the English version of the website of the German embassy or consulate (see, for example, information sheets Schengen visa USA , information sheets Schengen visa Great Britain , information sheets Schengen visa Canada , information sheets Schengen visa Australia ).

Apply for a Schengen visa online

The appointment requirement for applying for a Schengen visa is stricter than for a D visa, as applicants must generally submit Schengen visa applications in person according to Article 10, Paragraph 1 of the Visa Code . Therefore, unlike the long-term national D visa, Schengen visas generally cannot be applied for online (D visas are applied for via international portals, among other methods). Only booking an appointment for a Schengen visa is possible online. Saving or downloading the VIDEX online form does not constitute an online application for a Schengen visa (the VIDEX form only serves to prepare the application form for submission at the visa appointment ).

Advantages of a Schengen visa

A Schengen visa has the following advantages:

  • Short-term stays in Germany and entry into Germany are possible.

  • Free travel to up to 29 Schengen countries without border controls

  • Flexible travel planning within the Schengen Area

  • Visits, tourism, business trips and participation in conferences and trade fairs are possible.

  • Working in Germany is possible (if permitted by the visa; so-called “ Schengen hybrid visa ”)

The path from Schengen visa to permanent residence permit

A Schengen visa is not intended for applying for a permanent residence permit .

The path from Schengen visa to naturalization

Naturalization with a Schengen visa is not possible and has no practical relevance. Although Section 10 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 Number 3 of the German Nationality Act (StAG ) only requires a "residence permit" (and the Schengen visa is a residence permit according to Section 4 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG )), the temporary nature of the stay is unlikely to entitle the holder to naturalization.

Next steps for a Schengen visa

First, determine your purpose of stay (work, study , family, etc.). Then, research on the embassy's website which documents are required to prove your purpose of stay for your Schengen visa (e.g., flight tickets, trade fair tickets, or letters of invitation from friends/family). Next, obtain the documents, complete the short-notice VIDEX form, and book a visa appointment . After your appointment, you will receive your Schengen visa and can enter Germany. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on the specific requirements and assist you with your application. → Book an appointment

Contact Us

Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!

Legal basis for Schengen visas

The primary legal source for the Schengen visa is Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code) . The Visa Code is a regulation and therefore directly applicable without further implementation by the Member States. The national legal basis for the Schengen visa is Section 6(1)(1) of the German Residence Act (AufenthG). Further legal sources relating to the Schengen visa in a broader sense include relevant court rulings and administrative guidelines (in particular the Visa Handbook of the Federal Foreign Office ).

Important laws regarding Schengen visas

The most important laws regarding the D visa are the following:

Important rulings on the Schengen visa

The most important rulings regarding the Schengen visa are the following:

  • The purpose of the visa procedure is to control immigration ( Federal Administrative Court, judgment of 16 November 2010, 1 C 17.09 ).

  • The authorities have a wide margin of discretion when assessing the willingness to return ( BVerwG, judgment of 17.09.2015, 1 C 37.14 ; VG Berlin, judgment of 21.02.2014, file no. VG 4 K 232.11 V).

  • The intention to return is demonstrated, among other things, by: booking a return ticket, proof of financial resources in the country of residence, proof of employment, bank statements and property ownership, as well as proof of integration in the country of residence based on information about family ties and professional status. ( VG Berlin, Judgment of October 26, 2012 - 22 K 30.12 ).

  • The principle of a fair procedure requires that, in the event of unavailability of appointments, applicants be informed that visa applications can also be submitted informally (VG Berlin, judgment of 22 November 2023, case no. 6 K 352/22 V and VG Berlin, judgment of 2 December 2021 – VG 13 K 383/19 V – juris para. 19).

  • Entry with a short-term visa for a long-term stay is not lawful (OVG Berlin-Brandenburg, decision of 28.02.2019, OVG 11 S 21.18 with further references).

Frequently Asked Questions about Schengen Visas

Which countries are in the Schengen visa/Schengen area?

The Schengen Area currently comprises 29 European states. These include the EU countries Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as the non-EU states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.


How long can you stay in Germany with a Schengen visa?

With a Schengen visa, the stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period (Section 6, Paragraph 1 of the German Residence Act). This period applies to the entire Schengen Area and includes both continuous stays and the sum of several short trips. However, it should be noted that Schengen visas can also be issued for shorter periods and that the permitted number of days of stay can be less than 90. A visa issued for 90 days does not necessarily mean that a 90-day stay is permitted, but only that a specific number of days within those 90 days are allowed. The EU Commission provides an official "Schengen calculator" for calculating the permitted length of stay.

What do you need for a Schengen visa?

The requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa are regulated under European law by the so-called Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas). A valid passport, biometric passport photos, and a fully completed application form are required for the application. In addition, travel health insurance with sufficient coverage, proof of the purpose of travel such as hotel bookings or invitations, and proof of financing the trip must be submitted. In practice, by far the most problematic requirement is the proof of the so-called "intent to return." The sometimes excessively stringent examination of this intention to prevent illegal immigration makes applying for a Schengen visa from some countries almost entirely impossible (see Article 21 of the Visa Code).


Who is not eligible for a Schengen visa?

Individuals will not receive a visa if they do not meet the formal requirements, are considered a threat to public safety, or if an entry ban exists against them in the Schengen Information System. Anyone who has already used up their permitted 90-day stay in the current six-month period will also not receive another visa for that period. In practice, even the slightest violations of the law are sufficient to permanently disqualify an individual from obtaining a Schengen visa if these violations are recorded in the European visa databases (VIS and SIS).


When is a Schengen visa refused?

A refusal usually occurs when the embassy has doubts about the applicant's intention to return or when the purpose of the trip remains unclear (see Article 21 of the Visa Code). Other reasons include insufficient financial resources, the submission of false or forged documents, and the lack of necessary documents such as valid health insurance or a recognized passport.

Schengen visa in other glossaries

The Schengen visa can also be found in the following glossaries:

Sources and references for the Schengen visa

( Government resources and literature )

[1] Visa Handbook, Calculation of reference periods for Schengen visas/ Crediting of prior periods of stay, 77th Supplement, as of 10/2023

[2] Visa Handbook, Bona Fide Applicants (Schengen Visas), 77th Supplement, as of 10/2023

[3] Visa Handbook, Cancellation and Withdrawal of Schengen Visas, 76th Supplement, as of 03/2023

[4] Visa Handbook, Outsourcing of visa application processing to external service providers, 77th supplement, as of 10/2023

[5] Visa Handbook, Schengen History, as of 10/2025

[6] Visa Handbook, Jurisdiction, 71st Supplement, Version: 02/2020

[7] Huber/Mantel, Residence Act/Asylum Act, 4th ed. 2025, Residence Act, § 6 Visa

[8] Oberhäuser, Migration Law in Advisory Practice, § 2 Visa, Rolf Stahmann in Oberhäuser, Migration Law in Advisory Practice | A. § 2 Visa Rn. 1-247 | 1st edition 2019

[9] Hofmann (ed.): NK-Ausländerrecht, 3rd ed. 2023, AufenthG § 6

[10] Lübbe: On the migration risk prognosis when spouses wishing to join their partner apply for a visitor visa for the purpose of language acquisition, article by Lübbe, ZAR 2009, 215

[11] The Visa Code, article by Dipl.-Verwaltungswirt Volker Westphal, Sabine Brakemeier, NVwZ 2010, 621

[12] Keicher: Visa issuance under Schengen law, article by Keicher, ZAR 2005, 199

[13] Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)

[14] Agreement implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 between the Governments of the States of the Benelux Economic Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic on the gradual abolition of checks at their common borders of 19 June 1990 (Schengen Implementing Agreement)

[15] Section 6 of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG) of 25 February 2008 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 162), last amended by Article 3 of the Act of 25 October 2024 (Federal Law Gazette 2024 I No. 332)

Last updated: March 4, 2026


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