Germany Long-Term Visa Process 2025 to Work and Study

Whether you want to study, work, train, or visit family, the Germany Long-Term Visa (National Visa/Type D) is your best option if you intend to stay in Germany for longer than ninety days.

Discover the goal, eligibility, work permit, application process, and processing timetable in one convenient location with this comprehensive 2025 summary.

Purpose of the Germany Long-Term Visa

For stays longer than ninety days, the majority of third-country nationals must obtain a German national visa. It allows you to enter Germany to submit an application for a resident visa for:

Studying or Language Courses

• degree programs at universities or language preparation classes.
• required for foreign students who do not come from nations that do not require visas.

Skilled Employment or Vocational Training

• for experts who possess acknowledged credentials.
• includes combined vocational training programs and apprenticeships.

Research & Academic Exchange

• professors, researchers, and scientists who have received invites from their institutions.

Family Reunification

• For dependent parents, spouses, or kids of German or lawful residents.
• frequently contains prerequisites for integration (e.g., basic proficiency in German).

Job-Seeking or Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)

• for experts seeking employment in Germany.
• Through Chancenkarte, skilled people can look for in-demand positions.

Voluntary Service or Au Pair

• involvement in voluntary social, environmental, or cultural initiatives.
• Young people who live in German homes as au pairs.

Working Holiday Programs

• for young people from specific nations to visit and work in Germany.

Read Also: Germany Job Seeker Visa—Without Job Offer

Who Can Apply? | Eligibility Criteria

| Eligibility Criteria for the National (D-Type) Visa

You need to fulfill the following requirements in order to be eligible for a Germany Long-Term Visa:

Basic Eligibility Criteria

1. Intention to Stay Over 90 Days
   • For job, education, family reunification, or other authorized long-term objectives, you must intend to remain in Germany for longer than ninety days.
2. Valid Purpose of Stay
   • You must have a good purpose for being here, like:
     • Work or vocational education
     • Studying or taking language classes
     • Reunification of families
     • Academic or research work
     • Seeking employment or obtaining a Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
     • Au pair or voluntary service
3. Valid Passport
   • Your passport needs to:
     • be valid when the application is made.
     • issued throughout the last ten years.
     • include a minimum of two blank pages.
4. Proof of Legal Residency in Your Current Country
   • You must provide evidence of your legal residence in the country where you are applying, such as an Irish resident permit if you are applying from Ireland, if you are not a citizen of that nation.
5. Category-Specific Requirements
   • You must meet the requirements for your type of visa, which may include:
     • Contract of employment
     • A letter of admission from a German university
     • Evidence of vocational training
     • Certificates of language competency (such as German A1, B1, etc.)
     • Evidence of financial resources, such as a sponsor letter or blocked account
6. Fingerprint Submission
   • All applicants who are 12 years of age or older must provide biometric information, such as fingerprints.

Can You Work in Germany on This Visa?

Yes, without a doubt, although it depends on the kind of visa you have. The National (D-Type) Visa for Germany is intended to permit a variety of extended stays, many of which involve or result in employment.

Working Opportunities by Visa Type

Processing Time in 2025

• Typical timeframe:
  4 to 12 weeks (1 to 3 months) is standard for most applications.
• Possible delays:
  Processing may take several months, based on:
  • the particular kind of visa you are applying for.
  • further background checks or document verification.
  • The accuracy and completeness of the materials you submitted.
• Important:
  During the processing phase, no tracking or status updates will typically be sent; patience is essential!

How to Apply: The Short Process Explained

Step 1: Choose the Right Visa Category

Start by clearly identifying the reason for your long stay in Germany:

• Work visa (skilled employment, vocational training)
• Study visa (university or language course)
• Job Seeker visa / Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
• Family reunification (spouse, child, parent)
• Au Pair or Voluntary Service
• Working Holiday (if eligible)

Step 2: Select the Correct Application Route

You have to apply outside of Germany. Choose from the following routes based on your visa type:

1. VisaMetric (External Service Provider)
   For:
   • Work
   • Study
   • Vocational training
   • Some family reunification cases
     The VisaMetric official site handles document submission and appointment bookings.
2. German Embassy or Consulate (Direct Submission)
   For:
   • Language course visa
   • Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
   • Au Pair visa
   • Family reunion with a German or foreign spouse
3. Online via Consular Services Portal
   For several visa types depending on your country.
   Use Germany’s Consular Services Portal to complete the application and upload documents digitally.

Step 4: Book Appointment

• via the Embassy, depending on the type of German visa you have.
• During the visit, you will provide your biometrics (picture and fingerprints).

Step 5: Await Decision Your passport will be returned with either a refusal letter or the visa sticker after processing.

Visa Validity & Travel Rights

Your long-term visa will:

• • Display your passport number, photo, and full name.
  • Indicate the dates and duration of permitted admission.
  • Permit 90 days of travel within a 180-day period to other Schengen nations.

Quick Facts Summary

References

• https://dublin.diplo.de/ie-en/2353492-2353492
• https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/visa/residence-visa-922288
• https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/other.

Conclusion

For stays longer than ninety days in Germany, whether you’re seeking higher education, work, training, or family reunion, the Germany Long-Term Visa (National Visa/Type D) is your key entry point. You can prepare for your long-term move with confidence if you comprehend the goal, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and processing deadlines. To guarantee a more seamless transition to life in Germany in 2025, be sure to collect precise documentation, apply as soon as possible, and use the proper submission method.

Frequently Asked Questions