Basic information

• Only the visa office of the Embassy in Warsaw is responsible for visa applications. The Consulates General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Krakow, Wroclaw and Gdansk do not issue visas and do not provide information on visa applications.
• Please note that you must come to the embassy in person with all the necessary documents to submit your application. Please make an appointment via our appointment system on the Internet. Please plan that the processing time after application is usually several weeks.
• Your application can only be accepted if the documents are complete. The documents must be submitted in the original with one copy of each. Documents in foreign languages (with the exception of English) must be submitted with an official German translation, if indicated below.
• A fee of approximately 400 zloty (75,- Euro depending on the exchange rate) is charged for processing a visa application. The fee is to be paid in Polish zloty in cash at the time of application. It is a processing fee. There is no right to reimbursement in case of rejection or withdrawal of the application.
• The final assessment of which legal basis is relevant in each individual case is made by the visa office.

General information

The applications are sent to the responsible immigration authority and, if necessary, to the Federal Employment Agency for comment. The processing time is usually at least four (4) weeks, but may increase to several months in individual cases. As soon as a decision has been made, the applicant will be informed immediately by the Embassy. In order to relieve the visa office, it is urgently requested that applicants refrain from making inquiries about the status of their application, as this delays the general processing of visa applications. Status requests will therefore not be answered!

After a positive decision on the application, you will be asked to provide proof of existing travel insurance coverage for the validity period of the visa before the visa can be issued. Please note that you must receive your visa in person.

Please make sure to submit complete application documents! Incomplete applications may lead to the rejection of the visa application.

The Embassy reserves the right to request additional documentation.

The following list enables you to check whether your application documents are complete. All documents listed here must be submitted in the requested form and order.

Checklist

• One (1) application form including instructions according to § 54 AufenthG, completely filled out and signed
• One (1) recent biometric passport photo (format: see photo sample board)
• Valid passport (signed by hand and with at least two (2) completely free pages)
• One (1) plain copy of the data page of your valid passport
• Proof of habitual and legal residence in Poland by Polish residence permit (e.g. visa/residence card), valid since at least 3 months, with one (1) copy.
  In individual cases, further proof of habitual residence (e.g. bank statements, ZUS statements, rental contracts, etc.) may be necessary.
  
• Last registration certificate in Poland („zaświadczenie o zameldowaniu“, which is obtained at the city office or town hall appropriate for the place of residence), with one (1) copy
• Fully completed questionnaire „Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis“ (in case of professional drivers, additionally: „Zusatzblatt C“)
• Employment contract/binding offer of employment, with details of the type and duration of employment and gross salary with one (1) copy
• Excerpt from the commercial register of the company located in Germany, with one (1) copy
• Proof of German language skills or confirmation from employer that German language skills are not required, with one (1) copy
• Gapless Curriculum vitae with location and period details
• In case of non-academic qualification: proof of qualification in the form of formal recognition notice from the relevant body in Germany, with one (1) copy. Please note that the notice of recognition must be available at the time of application, as this is the most important basis of the application. Subsequent submissions are generally not possible!
• In case of academic qualification:
  - Proof of qualification, if applicable university diploma, with one (1) copy and translation
  Foreign diplomas must be accompanied by an apostille/legalisation.
  
  - Proof of the comparability of your degree - You can find out whether your foreign university degree is recognized or comparable in the ANABIN database.
  
  For further guidance on appropriate evidence of the comparability of your foreign university degree, please refer to a separate article.
  
  Please note that foreign diplomas must be accompanied by an apostille/legalisation.
• In case of pronounced practical professional knowledge:
  - Proof of at least two (2) years of relevant professional experience gained in the last five (5) years, with one (1) copy and translation
  - Minimum gross salary of 43,470.- € per year
  - Proof of a professional qualification with at least two (2) years of training that is officially recognized by the state in which it was obtained with corresponding confirmation from the ZAB OR proof of a professional qualification issued by a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad, which one (1) copy and translation
• If available, the preliminary approval of the Federal Employment Agency, which your employer can request, with one (1) copy. Please note that this document cannot be handed in later on and must be presented on the initial visa appointment to be considerable!
• if necessary in individual cases, in regulated professions: professional licence, with one (1) copy
• If you have already reached the age of 45 at the start of employment, a minimum annual salary of € 53,130.- gross, or proof of adequate pension provision is required!