When applying for a visa, you are repeatedly confronted with the different visa categories. To help you determine which visa is the right one for your travel purpose, we list the different types below with a brief explanation.
In general, a distinction is made between visas for commercial visits (business talks, contract signatures, visits to trade fairs, assembly, use of technology, internships) of a country and non-commercial visits (cultural and scientific stays, participation in sports competitions and cultural events, study exchanges). For both travel occasions an invitation may be required to apply for a visa.
| Work Visa | Purpose of travel: Start of work in the destination country. Employer is a company in the target country. The activity is paid out of the the destination country or exceeds a maximum allowable length of stay. |
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| Visitor Visa | Purpose of travel: This visitor visa is intended for all travellers planning to visit a private individual (friends or relatives) in the destination country. The documents that have to be submitted for application depend on the residence status of the person you wish to visit and the duration of the planned stay. |
| Employment Visa (only available for India) | Purpose of travel: Technical services in the destination country (assembly / repair / installation). The work is paid out of Germany. |
| Business Visa | Purpose of travel: business meetings in the destination country. The operation is not paid out of the destination country. |
| Conference Visa | Purpose of travel: Participation in an international conference in the destination country, not within the company but at government or ministerial level. |
| Student Visa | Purpose of travel: one or more semesters abroad at an institution recognised in the target country (university or similar). The visa is usually valid for the duration of the studies. |
| Tourist Visa | Purpose of travel: private trip (holiday) to the destination country. |
| Transit Visa | Requested when travelling through (or stopping / changing trains) to the actual destination. |
| Crew Visa | Can only be applied for holders of a valid crew ID card (airline / cruise company, etc.) who regularly travel to the destination country on business. |
| Entry Visa (only available for India) | A visa category for family members of a person who is permanently dispatched on an employment visa (see above). |
| Journalist Visa | Awarded to professional journalists / photographers / cameramen who travel professionally to the target country. |
| Installation Visa | Purpose of travel: Technical deployment in the destination country (assembly / repair / installation). The activity is not paid out of the destination country. |
| Work Placement Visa | Purpose of travel: Internship with a company in the target country. Not defined as a special visa category for all countries. |
| Project Visa | Purpose of travel: Implementation of special official projects at the state level (e.g. for India in the energy and steel sectors). |
| Sports Visa | Purpose of travel: Participation in the official sporting events in the destination country. An official invitation is required. |
| Technical Visa | Purpose of travel: Technical services in the destination country (assembly / repair / installation). The activity is not paid out of the destination country. |