How to check the information contained in a type A (airport transit) visa

As soon as you receive your visa, please make sure that all the information it contains is correct.

Check the following:

• Check that your name is spelt as in your passport.
• Your passport has a passport number. This number is also indicated on the visa label. Make sure that these numbers are the same.
• You applied for your visa for specific dates. Check that your air ticket corresponds with the validity dates indicated on the visa label.
• Check that the number of transits you applied for (one or two) corresponds with the number of entries indicated on your visa label.

Do this yourself in order to avoid any problems or extra costs arising when using your visa. If you think that the information on the visa is incorrect, tell us immediately, so that any errors can be corrected.

How to check the information contained in a type C (short stay) visa

As soon as you receive your visa, please make sure that all the information it contains is correct.

Check the following:

• Check that your name is spelt as in your passport.
• Your passport has a passport number. This number is also indicated on the visa label. Make sure that these numbers are the same.
• You applied for your visa for a specific period or periods. Check that your air ticket corresponds with the validity dates indicated on the visa label.
• Check that the number of entries you applied for (one, two, or multiple) corresponds with the number of entries indicated on your visa label.

Do this yourself in order to avoid any problems or extra costs arising when using your visa. If you think that the information on the visa is incorrect, tell us immediately, so that any errors can be corrected.

How to read type C visa label

DURATION OF STAY………DAYS indicates the number of days you may stay in the Schengen area. The days should be counted from the date you enter the Schengen area (the entry stamp) to the date you exit the Schengen area (the exit stamp), i.e. both days included. If you have been granted a visa with long-term validity (e.g. between 6 months and 5 years), the entry in this field indicates the number of days you may spend in the Schengen area within a period of 180 days.

The definition of short stay of non-EU citizens in the Schengen area is “90 days in any 180 days period” The short-stay calculator can be used for calculating the period of allowed stay. The user's guide contains information on these rules, the use of the calculator and practical examples.

The period of time between “FROM …UNTIL” is usually longer than the number of days printed in the “DURATION OF STAY” field. The difference in period is meant to give you flexibility to plan your entry into and exit from the Schengen area, but your stay in the Schengen area must never exceed the exact number of days in the “DURATION OF STAY …DAYS” field (in case of visas with long-term validity: within a period of 180 days, see above). No matter how many days you have stayed in the Schengen area, you must leave no later than the date printed in the “UNTIL” field.“

You should be aware that the duration of stay and overall validity specified in the visa are a discretionary decision taken by a visa officer based on the individual merits of the application and the applicant’s personal circumstances in line with the Schengen Visa Code. The validity of the passport must always exceed the visa validity by at least 3 months. Additionally the validity of any residence permit (if required for the country of residence) must always exceed the visa validity by at least 1 month.

Border controls

Your short-stay visa does not automatically entitle you to enter the Schengen area. At border or during other controls you may, for instance, have to provide information on your means of support, how long you intend to stay in the Schengen State, and why you are visiting the Schengen State.

In some cases, such checks may result in a refusal for the visa holder to enter the Schengen State or the Schengen area.

It is therefore recommended that you carry with you copies of the documents, that you presented when you applied for the visa (e.g. letters of invitation, travel confirmations, other documents stating the purpose of your stay). This will help to make the border control procedure easier and avoid delays at the border.

How to check the information contained in a type D (long stay) visa

As soon as you receive the visa, please make sure that all the information it contains is correct.

Check the following:

• Check that your name is spelt as in your passport.
• Your passport has a passport number. This number is also indicated on the visa label. Make sure that these numbers are the same.
• With your application, you have requested the visa to be valid as of a specific date. Check that your travel itinerary corresponds with the dates indicated on the visa sticker.

How to read a D visa label

A national visa is valid for entry within the period stated on the visa label under ”FROM …UNTIL“. National visas do not specify a duration of stay in days.

Please note that you need to register your new residence (Anmeldung) with the authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply to the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for your residence permit within the first 90 days of your stay in Germany. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.

A national visa also entitles you to transit through the other Schengen member states. The stay in other Schengen member states is limited to 90 days in any period of 180 days.

Holders of a national (category D) visa who do not require a visa for a short stay, including British, citizens may travel before the starting date of their national visa but must satisfy the border force official at the port of entry that they fulfil the requirements for a visa-free short stay visit.