Welcome
Visitor visa (visiting friends or family) (less than 90 days)
If you are a Zimbabwean citizen or a resident in Zimbabwe planning to travel to Europe for visit of family and friends, you can apply for a Schengen visa at the German Embassy if your main destination is Germany or Malta.
The application process
The application has to be submitted personally and can be processed within 7 days upon submission of your complete visa application but for some nationalities it can take up to 45 working days. Please submit your application at least 15 days but not earlier than six months before the scheduled departure.
Fees
The visa application fee for an adult is the equivalent of EUR 80.00 in USD. This non-refundable charge is payable in cash when applying. Please bring small USD bills.
Required documents
Please bring the following documents plus one copy of each to your appointment and keep the following order of the documents. Documents in languages other than German or English must be translated by an authorized translator.
Further documentation may be requested in each individual case.
One application form (Schengen VIDEX) duly completed and signed.
2 fully biometric passport photo, 35 x 45 mm, no older than three months. Digitally altered passport photos cannot be accepted. Please ensure that your photo adheres to German biometric requirements and is taken in front of a white/bright background.
Original passport or travel document valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen area. The passport/travel document must contain at least two blank pages and was issued within the last 10 years. Provide photocopy of the passport data page, previous Schengen visas within last 3 years and valid USA/UK/Australia visas if available.
Non-Zimbabweans - proof of legal residence in Zimbabwe, valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen territory
Travel/medical insurance (coverage on medical expenses at least EUR 30,000 and valid for the entire Schengen area for the duration of the applicant's planned stay). It is a requirement that claims against the insurance company are recoverable in a Member State. The insured party, policy validity period, geographical coverage and schedule of benefits must be mentioned of the policy schedule/certificate. Insufficient proof of valid Travel Medical Insurance can lead to repatriation from the Schengen area.
Must be addressed to the German Embassy and signed by legal representative of the company as per Company Registration
- Name, postal address, telephone number, position of employee
- Salary income of applicant
- Attached copy of Company Registration/computer card showing legal representative(s)
Letter must be not older than one month
Original and duplicate of formal obligation, signed at the foreigner’s office by the host in Germany.
- with guarantee to cover all costs of applicant during his/her stay in Germany in accordance with §§ 66-68 of the Law of residence (formal obligation must not be older than 6 months from the date of application) sent directly to applicant;
- and/or
- Personalized original invitation letter from the host in Germany/Schengen incl. full address of host and applicant’s purpose of visit and
- Passport copy of host in Germany and copy of his/her residence permit for Germany if applicable
Original stamped and signed personal bank statements with salary income (minimum last 3 months and not older than 2 weeks from the day of submission)
NOTE: In case financial means are provided by a relative in direct line (parent/child) or spouse, please submit birth certificate or marriage certificate with an English translation to prove the relationship
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Furnished false information or fake documents during the visa application process will lead automatically to a denial of the application and will lead also to an entry ban for Germany (possibly therefore also for the other Schengen countries)!
Appointment booking
Please use our online appointment booking system
Booking via telephone or email is not possible. At the appointment, you will submit all required documents and pay the visa processing fee. You will be interviewed with regard to your planned stay in Germany and your biometric data (passport photograph and fingerprints) will be collected.