Citizens of the Republic of Korea

If you are a citizen of the Republic of Korea you can enter the Federal Republic of Germany without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within half a year from your first entry.

For long term stays you can apply for a necessary residence permit within 90 days of your arrival with the competent aliens authority at your intended place of residence.

The same applies for citizens of the following countries: Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America.

Citizens of other countries

Citizens of many countries do not need a visa to visit Germany for stays of up to 90 days. Please check our country list if you are not sure whether you need a visa.

Which visa do you need?

Short term stays of up to 90 days in 180 days (e.g. tourism, visiting family and friends, business trip)

According to the so-called Schengen agreement, tourist and business visas issued by any of the following Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) are valid for travel to all Schengen states. However, you always have to apply at the Consulate or Embassy of the country which is your main destination. Employment is not permitted with this type of visa.

Go to "Schengen visa"

Long term stays

If you plan to stay more than 90 days within 180 days you need a National Visa (e.g. permanent residence with German spouse, study, long
term language training, Au Pair, employment)

Go to "National visa"

If you are working for the US military and you are "PCS'ing" to Germany, please click here.

Introduction of Visa Information System (VIS) in Korea

For some time now, fingerprints have been taken from all applicants applying for long-term visas (study, family reunification, commencement of employment, etc.).  Starting October 12, 2015 the visa section at the German Embassy Seoul will begin collecting biometric data, that is, fingerprints, for Schengen visas as part of the Visa Information System (VIS).