Traveling with a visitor visa

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Visitor visa – What is it?

The terms private visa and visitor visa are often used interchangeably. If you are planning to enter a country that requires a visa for private reasons, you will need a non-immigrant visa for visiting purposes instead of a tourist visa.

With such a permit in your pocket, you will not only be able to visit relatives and friends abroad and go on tourist excursions. You are also permitted to complete private formalities and have documents notarized locally, among other things. Business activities are also permitted under certain circumstances, although you are not permitted to take up employment.

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Requirements for visas for visiting purposes

An official invitation from the destination country is required for both the tourist visa and the visit permit for private travel intentions. While as a tourist you will usually receive the invitation letter or voucher from your accommodation, as a visitor you will need an invitation from your host.

Your family members must apply for the official invitation letter from the relevant local migration authority. The letter must include the contact details of the inviting party and the personal details of the applicant. A time period for the visit must also be specified.

The immigration authorities will not accept incorrect invitation letters. If you are not sure whether your invitation is formally correct, you can ask our verification service to check it.

In addition to the invitation, the documents listed below must generally be submitted to the consulates in Germany when applying for a visitor's visa. Deviations are possible depending on the country of travel.

Valid passport

Passport photo

Visa application for private travel purposes

If entering by car: car make and license plate number

Proof of willingness to return, proof of health insurance and proof of sufficient financial resources may be required. Depending on the country of travel and the persons invited, a declaration of commitment from the host may also be required. However, this is not usually the case

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How long is the visa valid for?

The period of validity of the visa usually depends on the invitation. In addition, each country sets a maximum total length of stay. In China, Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan, this is 90 days.

If you are planning to stay abroad for longer, you have the option of extending your travel permit under certain conditions. In China, for example, there are dependant visas as a sub-category of the private visa. Anyone applying for a visa for relatives is obliged to prove that they are closely related to the inviting person. Once this proof has been provided, visits of up to or more than 180 days are possible.

Differentiation from other visas

As each country has its own visa regulations, it is difficult to clearly define a visa for visiting purposes. Some countries differentiate between stays for purely private or business purposes. There are also further subdivisions, such as the above-mentioned visa for relatives. When we talk about a visa for visits, we are referring to a visa for private affairs, a meeting with friends or relatives abroad.

Compared to the tourist visa, the travel permit for visitors has the advantage of a longer period of validity. Unlike the work visa, however, you are not permitted to be gainfully employed in the destination country. If you do not know whether the visitor visa or private visa makes sense for your travel plans, please contact our visa service.