Welcome
Crew Members of River Cruise Vessels
Crew Members of River Cruise Vessels need an employment visa. Please note that you can only apply at the German Embassy if your ship sails mainly in Germany.
Processing period
The processing period may take one week. During the processing period you cannot inquire about the status of your application. Upon expiry of the processing period only the applicant, his/her legal representative or persons holding an authorization letter from the applicant may inquire about the status of the visas.
Fees
The fee is 75,00 € payable in USD cash only. Please bring small USD bills. The application form can be downloaded for free.
Necessary documents
Please bring the following documents in the mentioned order to your appointment at the Embassy. Additional documents may in some cases be requested. Documents sent in advance will not be archived.
Complete the online application form (application forms are required for each applicant separately; all children require separate forms).
Bring one signed copy of the form including the barcodes to your appointment.
A valid passport signed by the holder, issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least one year is necessary. The passport needs to have at least 2 subsequent blank pages. Please bring one photocopy of the passport biodata page to your appointment.
1 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.
Non-Zimbabweans - please bring your valid Zimbabwean residence permit and 1 photocopy to your appointment.
- Employment contract
plus 1 Copy
The contract must be signed and contain specific details of the job function, salary and duration of employment.
- Letter of intent from your future employer
This letter must include details about salary and working hours as well as the full adress of the employer.
- Plus one copy
Guarantee letter which confirms that the principal or shipping agent will assume liability in accordance with § 66 to 68 of the AufenthG for the full period of the visa validity. It also has to mention a boarding date NOT earlier than 8 weeks after visa appointment.
Itinerary of the ship
Appointment booking
Please use the 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.