Visa requirements and procedure

General Information on visa

Depending on their nationality, foreigners may be obliged to obtain a visa prior to entering the Schengen Area. The German Consulate General in Sydney will accept visa applications from residents of New South Wales and Queensland. Basically there are two types of visas:
Short term Schengen visas that allow the holder to move freely throughout the entire Schengen Community for up to 90 days within a period of 6 months and provided that he or she does not intend to work. Schengen Visas must be applied for at the diplomatic of consular mission of the country of your main destination.
Long term Residence Permits that are issued by an individual member state. They are generally linked to a specific purpose (e.g. study, work) and entitle the holder to remain in this state's particular territory for an extended period of time. However, with a Residence Permit you can also travel the rest of the Schengen Area for up to three months.
The following will give you an overview of the various visa categories as well as the corresponding application forms. Should you have further questions or if you are in doubt which one to choose, please contact the passport and visa section.