As of the latest update of this guide (1/06/2021), the processing of Schengen visas for One Young World delegates has resumed in a number of countries. All One Young World delegates who require visas to travel to Germany should take the following action:
- Familiarise yourself with this visa guide.
- Consult the website of your local German Embassy to book a visa application appointment to take place as soon as possible.
- If you are unable to book a visa application appointment please contact [email protected] for further guidance.
If you have any questions about the visa application process, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
Individuals attending the One Young World Summit are responsible for ensuring they have all the information needed pertaining to their circumstances for travel applicable to their nationality or country of residence and that the information submitted for the visa application and any transit visas needed is, to the best of their knowledge, accurate and reliable at the time of submission. One Young World provides the below information as a form of guidance only.
Do I need a Schengen Visa?
Germany is part of the wider Schengen area consisting of 26 Euopean countries. If are a passport holder of one of the countries recorded in the following list, you DO NOT require a visa to visit Germany.
Although you don't need a visa, you are required to have at least six months of validity left on your passport from your planned date of exit from the Schengen area and two blank pages left in your passport. For example, if you plan to leave the Schengen area on 27 July 2021, your passport needs to be valid until at least 27 January 2022. You also need to ensure that your passport is not older than ten years old.
It is also recommended that you travel with your One Young World letter of invitation to prove the purpose of your visit to Germany. In case you don’t need a visa to enter Germany, you might still need a transit visa based on your flight route. A transit visa is a temporary short period visa that will allow you to travel through the international transit area of an airport in a country which is not your final destination. If you do not have a direct flight to Germany, please make sure to check with the relevant embassies if you are required to apply for a transit visa in the countries in which you are changing to a different flight.
| States and local authorities | Visa required for Germany: Yes / No |
|---|---|
| Albania | No (1, 5) |
| Andorra | No (1, 4) |
| Antigua and Barbuda | No (1) |
| Argentina | No (1) |
| Australia (as well as Cocos Islands, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island) | No (1, 3) |
| Austria | No |
| Bahamas | No (1) |
| Barbados | No (1) |
| Belgium | No |
| Bosnia Herzegovina | No (1, 5) |
| Brazil | No (1, 4) |
| Brunei Darussalam | No (1) |
| Bulgaria | No |
| Canada | No (1, 3) |
| Chile | No (1) |
| Colombia | No (1) |
| Costa Rica | No (1) |
| Croatia | No |
| Cyprus | No |
| Czech Republic | No |
| Denmark | No |
| Dominica | No (1) |
| El Salvador | No (1, 4) |
| Estonia | No |
| Finland | No |
| France (including French Guiana, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, New Caledonia, Réunion, St. Pierre and Miquelon) | No |
| Georgia | No (1, 5) |
| Greece | No |
| Grenada | No (1) |
| Guatemala | No (1) |
| Honduras | No (1, 4) |
| Hong Kong | No (6) |
| Hungary | No |
| Iceland | No |
| Ireland | No |
| Israel | No (1, 3) |
| Italy | No |
| Japan | No (1, 3) |
| Kiribati | No (1) |
| Korea (Republic of Korea, South Korea) | No (1, 3) |
| Latvia | No |
| Liechtenstein | No |
| Lithuania | No |
| Luxembourg | No |
| Macau | No (1, 6) |
| Malaysia | No (1) |
| Malta | No |
| Marshall Islands | No (1) |
| Mauritius | No (1) |
| Mexico | No (1) |
| Micronesia | No (1) |
| Moldova | No (1, 5) |
| Monaco | No (1, 4) |
| Montenegro | No (1, 5) |
| Netherlands | No |
| New Zealand (including Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau) | No (1, 3) |
| Nicaragua | No (1) |
| North Macedonia, (Former Yugoslav Republic of) | No (1, 5) |
| Norway | No |
| Palau | No (1) |
| Panama | No (1) |
| Paraguay | No (1) |
| Peru | No (1) |
| Poland | No |
| Portugal | No |
| Romania | No |
| Samoa | No (1) |
| San Marino | No (1, 4) |
| Serbia | No (1, 8) |
| Seychelles | No (1) |
| Singapore | No (1) |
| Slovak Republic | No |
| Slovenia | No |
| Solomon Islands | No (1) |
| Spain (including Spanish territories in North Africa with Ceuta and Melilla) | No |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | No (1) |
| St. Lucia | No (1) |
| St. Vincent & Grenadines | No (1) |
| Sweden | No |
| Switzerland | No |
| Taiwan (9) | No (1) |
| Timor-Leste (East Timor) | No (1) |
| Tonga | No (1) |
| Trinidad and Tobago | No (1) |
| Tuvalu | No (1) |
| Ukraine | No (1, 5) |
| United Arab Emirates | No (1) |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | No (1, 3, 7) |
| United States of America (including U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico) | No (1, 3) |
| Uruguay | No (1) |
| Vanuatu | No (1) |
| Vatican city | No (1) |
| Venezuela | No (1) |
1) Holders of national passports of countries that do not require a visa to enter Germany (indication: “No”) are generally not allowed to stay in the federal territory for more than 90 days per half-year without a visa. In addition, they are not allowed to take up employment during this period.
2) Not applicable.
3) Residence permits (also for stays over 90 days) can be applied for after entry without a visa.
4) Residence permits (also for stays of more than 90 days) can be applied for after entry without a visa if no gainful employment is taken up.
5) The visa exemption only applies to holders of biometric passports.
6) Holders of SAR passports (passports of the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Areas) are exempt from the visa requirement. In principle, they may not stay in Germany for more than 90 days per half-year without a visa. In addition, they are not allowed to take up employment during this period.
7) Citizens of British overseas territories ("British Nationals (Overseas)") are also exempt from the visa requirement
8) The visa exemption only applies to holders of biometric passports, unless they have been issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Serbian: Coordinaciona uprava).
9) The visa waiver only applies to holders of Taiwan-issued passports that contain an ID number.
Germany is part of the wider Schengen area consisting of 26 Euopean countries. If you are a passport holder of one of the following countries, you DO require a visa to Germany.
Based on your flight route, you might also need a transit visa, which is a temporary short period visa that will allow you to travel through the international transit area of an airport in a country which is not your final destination. If you do not have a direct flight to Germany, please make sure to check if you are required to apply for a transit visa in the countries in which you are changing to a different flight.
| States and local authorities | Visa required for Germany: Yes / No |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Yes |
| Algeria | Yes |
| Angola | Yes |
| Armenia | Yes |
| Azerbaijan | Yes |
| Bahrain | Yes |
| Bangladesh | Yes |
| Belarus (see also Belarus) | Yes |
| Belize | Yes |
| Benin | Yes |
| Bhutan | Yes |
| Bolivia | Yes |
| Botswana | Yes |
| Burkina Faso | Yes |
| Burundi | Yes |
| Cabo Verde | Yes |
| Cambodia | Yes |
| Cameroon | Yes |
| Central African Republic | Yes |
| Chad | Yes |
| China (VR) | Yes (6) |
| Comoros | Yes |
| Congo (Democratic Republic) | Yes |
| Congo (Republic of the Congo) | Yes |
| Cote D'ivoire (Ivory Coast) | Yes |
| Cuba | Yes |
| Djibouti | Yes |
| Dominican Republic | Yes |
| Ecuador | Yes |
| Egypt | Yes |
| Equatorial Guinea | Yes |
| Eritrea | Yes |
| Eswatini | Yes |
| Ethiopia | Yes |
| Fiji | Yes |
| Gabon | Yes |
| Gambia | Yes |
| Ghana | Yes |
| Guinea | Yes |
| Guinea-Bissau | Yes |
| Guyana | Yes |
| Haiti | Yes |
| India | Yes |
| Indonesia | Yes |
| Iran | Yes |
| Iraq | Yes |
| Jamaica | Yes |
| Jordan | Yes |
| Kazakhstan | Yes |
| Kenya | Yes |
| Korea (Democratic People's Republic, North Korea) | Yes |
| Kosovo | Yes |
| Kuwait | Yes |
| Kyrgyzstan | Yes |
| Laos | Yes |
| Lebanon | Yes |
| Lesotho | Yes |
| Liberia | Yes |
| Libya | Yes |
| Madagascar | Yes |
| Malawi | Yes |
| Maldives | Yes |
| Mali | Yes |
| Mauritania | Yes |
| Mongolia | Yes |
| Morocco | Yes |
| Mozambique | Yes |
| Myanmar (Burma) | Yes |
| Namibia | Yes |
| Nauru | Yes |
| Nepal | Yes |
| Niger | Yes |
| Nigeria | Yes |
| Oman | Yes |
| Pakistan | Yes |
| Palestinian territories | Yes |
| Papua New Guinea | Yes |
| Philippines | Yes |
| Qatar | Yes |
| Russian Federation | Yes |
| Rwanda | Yes |
| Sao Tom & eacute; and Principe | Yes |
| Saudi Arabia | Yes |
| Senegal | Yes |
| Sierra Leone | Yes |
| Somalia | Yes |
| South Africa | Yes |
| South Sudan | Yes |
| Sri Lanka | Yes |
| Sudan | Yes |
| Suriname | Yes |
| Syria | Yes |
| Tajikistan | Yes |
| Tanzania | Yes |
| Thailand | Yes |
| Togo | Yes |
| Tunisia | Yes |
| Turkey | Yes |
| Turkmenistan | Yes |
| Uganda | Yes |
| Uzbekistan | Yes |
| Vietnam | Yes |
| Yemen | Yes |
| Zambia | Yes |
| Zimbabwe | Yes |
1) Holders of national passports of countries that do not require a visa to enter Germany (indication: “No”) are generally not allowed to stay in the federal territory for more than 90 days per half-year without a visa. In addition, they are not allowed to take up employment during this period.
2) Not applicable.
3) Residence permits (also for stays over 90 days) can be applied for after entry without a visa.
4) Residence permits (also for stays of more than 90 days) can be applied for after entry without a visa if no gainful employment is taken up.
5) The visa exemption only applies to holders of biometric passports.
6) Holders of SAR passports (passports of the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Areas) are exempt from the visa requirement. In principle, they may not stay in Germany for more than 90 days per half-year without a visa. In addition, they are not allowed to take up employment during this period.
7) Citizens of British overseas territories ("British Nationals (Overseas)") are also exempt from the visa requirement
8) The visa exemption only applies to holders of biometric passports, unless they have been issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Serbian: Coordinaciona uprava).
9) The visa waiver only applies to holders of Taiwan-issued passports that contain an ID number.
If you are a passport holder of a country that requires a visa to travel to Germany, you need to apply for a Short-Stay Schengen Visa.
At present, the majority of German Embassies are not accepting applications for Schengen Visas owing to the German government’s COVID-19 travel restrictions. One Young World is closely monitoring these restrictions and will issue guidance as and when the restrictions change for each country.
How do I apply for a Schengen Visa?
Individual German embassies are responsible for processing and approving visa applications. As such the exact process you need to follow can vary depending on the country you are applying from. The steps below are only a general guide, after reading this - visit the Country Specific Guidance section of this guide for information on the exact local process.
1. Complete a short stay Schengen visa application form
In some cases, embassies will ask that you complete this form using the online VIDEX system, other embassies will ask that you download and complete a .pdf version of the from their website. Guidance on which method to use and links to the application form will be provided on your local embassy’s website. (See the Application Form Guidance section of this guide for important instructions regarding the application form.)
2. Book a visa application appointment
Your application will need to be submitted in person during an application appointment. Most application appointments will be conducted at your local German embassy, in some cases however the appointments will be conducted by the embassy of another Schengen country or a third party company such as VFS Global. In some rare cases you may need to travel to another country to attend your visa appointment. Guidance on the exact appointment process and process for booking appointments can be found on your local embassy’s website. If you have held a Schengen visa in the last five years you may be exempt from attending a physical appointment. If this is the case your local embassy will advise you that an appointment is not necessary.
3. Prepare your supporting documents
Make sure you have the originals and copies of all the documents required to support your application. These documents include your application form and passport but there are numerous others. Please see the List of Supporting Documents section of this guide and the guidance on your local embassy’s website for further information on the documents you will require to support your visa application.
4. Attend your visa application appointment
Take your application form along with all supporting documents and copies of these documents to your application appointment. During your visa appointment you will hand in your application form and supporting documents, the embassy will also gather biometric information from you including your fingerprints and a photograph.
5. Pay the visa application fee
The application fee for a short stay Schengen visa is €80. The fee is usually paid during your application appointment. Some embassies and visa application centres will require the fee to be paid in cash, others will require the fee to be paid by debit card. Visa application centres such as VFS Global may charge additional fees for processing and other optional services. Consult your local embassy website for exact details of how the fee needs to be paid and make sure to take the relevant payment method with you to your appointment.
6. Processing and Return of your documents
After attending your appointment your application should be processed within 10 working days. Wait times will vary from country to country however. Once your application is approved you will be able to revisit the embassy/application centre to collect your documents and passport. The embassy/centre may provide you with a specific date and time to collect your documents, others will invite you to visit at any time during their opening hours.
Individual German embassies are responsible for processing and approving visa applications. As such, the exact process you need to follow can vary depending on the country you are applying from. Select your country of residence in the box below and follow the link to your local embassy’s website for information on application process in your country of residence.
As of the last update of this guide (24/02/2021) it is not possible to apply for Schengen visas from the majority of countries. This information may be reflected on the website of your local German embassy. One Young World is aware of this information and is closely montoring the restrctions that apply to each country. You will be contacted by One Young World when it is possible to submit a visa application in your country of residence.
Application Form Guidance
Please make sure all information provided as part of your visa application is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. Most questions simply require you to provide personal information. Please find important guidance on other questions that relate to the purpose of your trip/the One Young World Summit below. If you are completing the application through the online VIDEX system, refer to ‘VIDEX Guidance’. If you are completing the PDF version, refer to ‘PDF Guidance’.
VIDEX Guidance
Section 4: Travel Data
Main purpose of the journey
Please fill in 'Other' and specify 'The One Young World Summit 2021'.
Main travel destinations
Select ‘Germany’
Member state of first entry
Select 'Germany’ if this is indeed your first point of entry into the Schengen area. If you are landing in a different country as your first point of entry into the Schengen area, please fill in the name of that country.
Entry permit for the final country of destination, where applicable.
Only complete this question if you do not have the nationality in your country of residence or if you are travelling directly to another country outside of the Schengen area after the Summit.
Number of entries requested
Select 'single entry'.
Reference
Type of reference
Select ‘Inviting Organisation/company’
Name of the organisation, company, or hotel:
City of Munich – Department of Labour and Economics
Organization’s place of business, town / city:
Munich
Organization’s place of business, country:
Germany
Organization’s objectives / area of activity:
Public Administration / Government Name of the register of the organization:
Other German or foreign registers Location of register:
Leave Blank
Register Number:
Leave Blank
Family name of contact person:
Baumgärtner
First name (s) of contact person:
Clemens
Date of birth:
Leave blank
Sex:
Male
Nationality
German
Street:
Herzog-Wilhelm-Strasse
House number:
15
Postal Code:
80331
Town/ City:
Munich
Country:
Germany
Telephone:
Leave blank
Email:
[email protected]
Section 5: Assumption of Costs
If you are attending the Summit as an independent delegate: Tick ‘the applicant him/herself’.
If you are attending the Summit via a One Young World scholarship or as part of a partner delegation: Tick ‘a third party (host, company, organisation), please specify’ Then tick ‘others, see section on Sponsor(s) (if different from reference)’
Means of Support
Tick ‘Accommodation paid in advance’, ‘Assumption of all expenses during the stay’, ‘Transport during the stay’.
Sponor (s) (if different from the reference)
If you are attending the Summit as part of a partner delegation: Enter the details of your company/organisation.
If you are attending the Summit as a recipient of a scholarship, One Young World award or programme: Enter the details below
Type of reference
Select ‘Inviting Organisation/company’
Name of the organisation, company, or hotel:
One Young World
Organization’s place of business, town / city:
London
Organization’s place of business, country:
United Kingdom
Organization’s objectives / area of activity:
Non-profit making association
Other German or foreign registers Location of register:
United Kingdom
Register Number:
1147298
Family name of contact person:
Belshaw
First name (s) of contact person:
Matthew
Date of birth:
02/11/1990
Sex:
Male
Nationality
British
Street:
Irving Street
House number:
14
Postal Code:
WC2H 7AF
Town/ City:
London
Country:
United Kingdom
Telephone:
+44 (0)7976647916
Email:
[email protected]
Please make sure all information provided as part of your visa application is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. Most questions simply require you to provide personal information. Please find important guidance on other questions that relate to the purpose of your trip/the One Young World Summit below. If you are completing the application through the online VIDEX system, refer to ‘VIDEX Guidance’. If you are completing the PDF version, refer to ‘PDF Guidance’.
PDF Guidance
Question 23: Main purpose of the journey
Please fill in 'Other' and specify 'The One Young World Summit 2021'.
If 'Other' is not given as an option, please select the category under which 'conferences' would fall per the visa application page. Normally this would be either 'Business' or 'Cultural'. Please note that you should not be applying for a visa via the 'Tourist' category. If you are still unsure about which visa category to select, please contact [email protected] directly.
Question 25: Member state of main destination
Please fill in ‘Germany’
Question 26: Member state of first entry
Please fill in 'Germany’ if this is indeed your first point of entry into the Schengen area. If you are landing in a different country as your first point of entry into the Schengen area, please fill in the name of that country.
Question 26 continued: Number of entries requested
Please fill in 'single entry'.
Question 29: Entry permit for the final country of destination, where applicable.
Only complete this question if you do not have the nationality in the country you will return to after visiting Germany or if you are visiting a third country outside of the Schengen area directly after the Summit.
Question 30: Surname and first name of the inviting person(s) in the Member State(s). If not applicable, name of hotel(s) or temporary accommodation(s) in the Member States.
City of Munich – Department of Labour and Economics
Question 32: Cost of travelling and living during the applicant’s stay is covered:
If you are attending the Summit with a partner delegation or via a One Young World scholarship/award:
Tick ‘Pre-paid accommodation’, ‘Pre-paid transport’ and ‘Other’ then write ‘Access to the One Young World Summit and catering throughout the event.’
If you are attending the Summit as an independent delegate (i.e you have paid your own delegate fee):
Tick ‘By the application himself/herself’
Question 32 continued: Means of support
If you are attending the Summit as an independent delegate (i.e you have paid your own delegate fee): Leave this section blank.
If you are attending the Summit with a partner delegation or via a One Young World scholarship/award: Tick ‘By a sponsor (host, company, organisation)’
Then, if you are attending with a partner delegation: Write the name of your company and tick ‘Accommodation provided’, ‘All expenses covered during the Stay’ and ‘Pre-paid transport’
If you are attending via a One Young World Scholarship: Write 'One Young World' and tick ‘Accommodation provided’, ‘All expenses covered during the Stay’ and ‘Pre-paid transport’.
What documents do I need to support my visa?
Take originals and copies of all the following documents to your application appointment:
- A completed Schengen visa application form.
- Passport no older than 10 years, valid for at least six months after date of Schengen exit and with two blank pages. Also, a copy of the personal details page, previously issued visas and the personal details page and visas of any previous passports.
- Evidence of legal residence (e.g. work permit) if you do not reside in the country of one's nationality.
- Two recent passport photographs.
- Your City of Munich letter of invitation (this will be provided to you by OYW in the near future, you do not need to contact OYW to request it.).
- Your OYW letter of invitation (this will be provided to you by OYW in the near future, you do not need to contact OYW to request it.).
- Your hotel confirmation. If you are staying in a One Young World provided hotel, your OYW letter of invitation serves as your hotel confirmation.
- Your letter of sponsorship. If you are attending the Summit through a scholarship this will be provided by One Young World. If you are attending the Summit with a partner organisation it will be provided by your delegation coordinator.
- Your flight ticket, e-ticket or flight itinerary. If you are attending the Summit on a scholarship this will be provided by One Young World.
- Proof of medical insurance valid for the entire Schengen area and for at least 30.000 euros. For more information on this, please see here.
- A recent bank statement minimum last three months and/or personal bank saving book any other documents relating to your financial status.
- Proof of socio-economic ties to your home country. These documents can include several things but the more evidence you provide, the better. Examples include:
- Title/deeds of property you may own.
- Rental agreements.
- Vehicle registration documents.
- Marriage certificate (if you are married).
- Birth certificates (if you have children).
- If you are employed:
- A dated and signed letter from your employer containing the following information:
- The date the letter was issued.
- Your name, role.
- The contractual terms of your employment (temporary/permanent).
- Starting date of your employment.
- Monthly net salary.
- Granted days of leave.
- Contact details of the employer.
- A dated and signed letter from your employer containing the following information:
- If you are self-employed:
- Original copies of company/organisation documents such as:
- The relevant trade/business licence
- Tax registration
- Business/charity registration
- Bank statement for organisation account (for the last three months minimum)
- Original copies of company/organisation documents such as:
- If you are in education:
- A declaration of enrolment at a college or university for the coming academic year.
Additional Questions
Please contact [email protected] immediately so we can further assist you.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions or need further assistance.