Sunday, 17 April 2016
German work permit - part 1
I
recently applied for German Long Stay Visa (Work Permit) along with dependent visa (family reunion for my wife) at Mumbai, India. Trust7
blog helped me a lot in getting required information for making this
application. To help others with the complete process, I would also
like to share my experience in this blog.
I scheduled an appointment for both by calling (now on-line appointment is not possible) the Mumbai Consulate General helpline number(Please schedule your appointment with the German consulate for long term and not the VFS for short term). I got an appointment scheduled after one month at 9 AM, so please keep in mind that you may get a appointment depending upon the availability (sometimes you both may get appointments on different dates). I got an email from them with a soft copy of the appointment letter. It’s important to take a printout of the appointment letter when going for the interview, failing which entry will be denied.
I scheduled an appointment for both by calling (now on-line appointment is not possible) the Mumbai Consulate General helpline number(Please schedule your appointment with the German consulate for long term and not the VFS for short term). I got an appointment scheduled after one month at 9 AM, so please keep in mind that you may get a appointment depending upon the availability (sometimes you both may get appointments on different dates). I got an email from them with a soft copy of the appointment letter. It’s important to take a printout of the appointment letter when going for the interview, failing which entry will be denied.
I got the approval
just two days after the appointment via email. Stating the documents required. Then I had to submit the passport for stamping at the VFS Pune (Viman nagar, changed in Feb 2017). I was asked to bring the approval
email printout (write tentative dates on email itself) along with
travel insurance (list of acceptable providers mentioned on site).
Tentative dates can be the dates that you decide, I gave 3 months
later as I had to serve my notice period, insurance dates and
tentative dates should match. No appointment needed for stamping, just
call vfs and ensure. It took around 4 days for stamping. Availed
courier service so that the stamped passport was delivered home.
Following is my experience on the appointment day:
As I am based
out of Pune, I travelled to Mumbai a day earlier. Following is the
address of German embassy:
Arcadia building, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021 near NCPA
You may call the embassy for exact address, as it had changed recently.
When I
reached Consulate, there were a couple of people awaiting entry into
the German Mission office. Exactly at 8:45 AM we were instructed to
align in a queue in front of entry gate. Different lines for the ladies
giving them first preference, A security guard and a police guard
asked us to present the Demand Draft(call embassy one or two days
before your appointment for exact amount as it is not based on Euro
rate but what the consulate decides) and the Appointment letter.
People holding DDs with incorrect amounts were asked to get another
DD from nearby banks. This might be a stressful situation so please have the correct DD amount. People holding valid appointment letters and
proper DDs were granted entry one by one.
On entering the German Mission/ Consulate, a security guard briefly frisked me and my baggage and then handed over a Documents Arrangement check-list (Photograph of this check-list is available at multiple locations on turst7 forum). I was also instructed to place my baggage in the last row of the 3 rows of seats that were present in the waiting area and asked to be seated in the second row for arranging the documentation set. This outdoor waiting area is not air conditioned and it can get really uncomfortable here, if one is not used to the warm and humid Mumbai weather!
All the documents had to be arranged (IN TWO SETS) as per the order mentioned in this check-list. Black Fold-back Binder clips had to be used for keeping the documents together. NO stapled documents were allowed. People holding stapled documents were instructed to remove all staples.
On entering the German Mission/ Consulate, a security guard briefly frisked me and my baggage and then handed over a Documents Arrangement check-list (Photograph of this check-list is available at multiple locations on turst7 forum). I was also instructed to place my baggage in the last row of the 3 rows of seats that were present in the waiting area and asked to be seated in the second row for arranging the documentation set. This outdoor waiting area is not air conditioned and it can get really uncomfortable here, if one is not used to the warm and humid Mumbai weather!
All the documents had to be arranged (IN TWO SETS) as per the order mentioned in this check-list. Black Fold-back Binder clips had to be used for keeping the documents together. NO stapled documents were allowed. People holding stapled documents were instructed to remove all staples.
For further information please visit the bellow links containing information for form filling and documents required and help on other data related stuff.
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Very detailed and nicely written all the things. Thank you Sachin for this useful information.
ReplyDeleteHi, my appointment is scheduled in few days. I have filled application form and kept everything ready. However can you please tell me the details as what my wife needs to carry? And do my wife needs to book another appointment or can she accompany me for the appointment I have booked?
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late reply. No you wife will need to take a separate appointment. Documents needed for her are as bellow:
Deletehttp://www.india.diplo.de/contentblob/3174910/Daten/3539965/download_datei_family_reunion_spouse_visa.pdf
Hey Sachin,
DeleteMy name is Rohit and i have just finished my visa interview on the 10th of august 2017 for an employment visa.
I secured a job as an expert revenue management in a company called Deutsche Hospitality. I have submitted all the documents and also received a approval for the works council of Deutsche Hospitality which was also submitted to the German Consulate at Chennai.
Would this be the same works council approval that the German Immigration authorities look for before giving a green signal from their end?
Hi, thanks for the detailed description of the Visa process. It has helped us a lot. I have one query : I have received an E-mail today from Cobsulate,Mumbai to come (along with passport) to sign a declaration. Yesterday my husband got the confirmation from ABH Munich that they are done with the process. I don't know, for what exactly they mean by this declaration? Any idea pls? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Jaspreet,
DeleteHow much time did your visa approval take after applying?
Thanks!
That's really great to hear this has helped you. I do not have any idea about the declaration, sorry for that. But you can post your queries on trust7 forum from where i got lot of help. They have lot of Germans as well as Indian expats. It has many topics on dependent visa cases. But from the confirmation I feel the process is done and you just need to sign this declaration and wait for the visa confirmation.
ReplyDeleteHello Sachin, thanks for your reply. You are right, the process is done now.. just needed to sign the declaration.
DeleteRegards.
That's great congrats
DeleteHi, could you please let me know how to get an Annexure!! I have rest of the documents. Btw Thank you so much for the info. It is all well written.
ReplyDeletem.india.diplo.de/contentblob/4133662/Daten/5802540/AnnexureEmployment.doc
DeleteThis link will help you find the same
http://m.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/06__Consu__Visa/visa__new/NATIONAL/NATIONAL.html
DeleteThe above link has check-list and few other required documents to be downloaded.
Hi Sachin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your very detailed description about visa application procedure. It helps a lot. I have to process mine and my spouse's visa application at Chennai consulate. The consulate informed that a complete residential address has to be mentioned in my spouse's visa application.The company has told me that they will provide me initial accommodation for 2 months, but right now they could not give me a complete address about the hotel/flat as its too early. I am confused what I should
mention in my application and my spouse's application. If i mention company address in my application(as per your suggestion), what address should be mentioned in spouse visa application, when i don't have any information about it currently. Kindly feedback
I had filled tentative address and not he the complete address stating that I do not have a accommodation and will find once we arrive in Germany. Hence I did not need to provide the information. You can forward your conversation email about accommodation to the embassy.
DeleteThanks a ton for this excellent information, it really really helped me and my husband!
ReplyDeleteThat's great, I hope this helps as many people as it can :)
DeleteHi Sachin
ReplyDeleteThanks a ton for your detailed blog
I would be accompanying my husband to Germany and would like to understand if i need to schedule the appointment in different slots as i was told by few couples to book the slots differently . Can you please help me with the confusion .
Also , Under family reunion spouse visa - are the spouses eligible to work in Germany?Is the work permit mentioned in visa
Hi Moumita,
DeleteYeah you need two different slots, but the interview will be done together.
The spouse is eligible to work depending upon which visa type you will be granted. Initially when we first receive the spouse visa at that moment we receive for 3 months and the main visa of the work permit/blue card receives it for 6 months. In this time frame we need to enter Germany and apply for visa extension at the local foreigners office. Depending upon every case they might issue a Blue card or a normal work permit. I do not know about the work permit but if you receive blue card your spouse is eligible to work.
Thanks,
Sachin N
Ahh alright - I guess we have booked two slots however the time being the same . should there be any issue or it is better to book two different timings?
DeleteEven we had the same time and date, no issues.
DeleteHi Sachin,
ReplyDeleteCan you please comment on German language requirement for the spouse? Did your wife had A1 level German certificate?
If you are applying for blue card or you are eligible for a blue card, there is no german language requirement. I am not sre about work permit
DeleteThanks for the quick reply Sachin. There is no separate application as blue card while applying for Visa. Though my job offer is from a German company and not as deputation from Indian company. Also the salary requirements for blue card are met in my case. So would I still require a A1 certificate in German language for my wife for the family reunion visa? Can you pls confirm if you know. Thanks.
DeleteYeah there is no such thing in the form but you can mention it in your cover letter. If you are eligible for blue card then no need for language requirement. Just mention during your interview as well that you will be applying for blue card once in Germany. If they ask any requirement for language you can say that as you are eligible for blue card your wife will not require language certification.
DeleteAnother thing is if your wife is a degree holder then also she will not require A1 language certificate. But I feel as you are eligible for blue card then by default your wife will not require A1.
DeleteThanks Sachin. This detailed description is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteIs current Address proof document also required in addition to above documents mentioned.
Also, I read from different forums that applying dependent visa with german employment visa candidate delays the visa process for primary applicant as well. Is this true if you know from your experience.
Its always better to keep extra documents. My current address and permanent was the same so I have no Idea. No their are no delays, I applied with my wif and we both got approval within 2 days. Again it depends case to case and on the embassy you apply. According to me it makes no sense to cause ny delays.
DeleteThanks Sachin for the info.
DeleteOne more quick question - You mentioned "date should be your appointment date".
Is this in regards to date to be filled in the application form and covering letter. As we prepare these forms in advance and I understand we must prepare all these forms in soft copy (except signatures) and then take print out.
So wanted to double check if we can put current date on application form and covering letter, that would be before appointment date or is it mandatory to put appointment date only on these forms.
Hi Hitesh,
DeleteSorry for late reply.
I had the date of appointment on all the places where there was date to be written.
Thanks,
Sachin N
Thanks Sachin for the update. I had also put the appointment date to be on safe side and it worked and application was accepted.
ReplyDeleteI have got visa approval 2 days back and need to submit passport now for stamping along with tentative date and 6 months travel insurance as asked in approval email.
There is slight concern on my side regarding tentative date of travel to be provided i.e. In my case, employment contract shown/submitted in consulate had joining date of 1st August and same date i had mentioned in covering letter but now I want to fly in first week of September due to some professional (3 months notice period) and personal reasons.
My employer is fine for me to join in september.
Is it ok to provide tentative date as 1st September to VFS or can it have some implications in visa stamping as there is almost a month difference in these dates.
As you mentioned in your post that insurance date and tentative date should match so this is crucial to have query clarified so I get insurance starting date accordingly.
It would be great if you can share any info on query of tentative date.
The dates can be different... I am not sure... As far as I know this are tentative dates and will be on your visa, whatever you mention. You get the initial visa for 6 months so even if you have the date as mentioned on your form still you can enter Germany a month or so after that day and have 5 months on your visa.
DeleteHi Sachin...
ReplyDeleteFirst thanks for the detailed blog. Really helpful. I am applying for a employment visa & my wife & Son will also accompany me. I have taken my slot date with the consulate but then I got two different dates. Mine is on 10th July & My wife's date is 26th July. Since my sn is 5 years old hence they haven't given a separate timeslot but told to get him on 26th July. What do I do in this case? As per my contract I need to start in first week of Aug. Thanks for your help
This is not a problem as per my knowledge. My friend also had the same case and he went alone the first time and noted down all the details of the appointment. Then he went again with his wife and just gave her all the details of the appointment. He was not allowed in but its better to be with her if needed and called in. This was last year the process keeps on changing so please consider this just as guidelines.
DeleteAnd about the dates we can not do anything it totally depends on the consulate. You can just apply and hope for the best. But you can talk with your Employer and postpone the joining date if necessary. Another thing is you can go first and then your wife and son can follow after their visa approval.
DeleteThanks Sachin for the quick response. We are planning exactly the way you wrote in 2nd response. can you share a format of spouse covering letter . Will get back if I need any thing else.
DeleteI did this process almost a year and a half ago so I do not have a cover letter format but I guess I took it from google and added some of my own things. I would also recommend the same to you. Main things to add are that you are her husband and she will be travelling with you, her passport number, her details like DOB address etc. Her purpose of travel and the documents submitted and requesting the officer to grant the visa in a polite way. And may be I am missing few things you I really do not remeber but you can google them.
DeleteThank you
DeleteHi Prasad, could you please post an update on your experience with different visa dates? How long did you'll get the approval in? Did you'll travel together?
DeleteGood job on the blog....
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletehi your blog Article is very nice & thanks for sharing the information.
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Hi Sachin,
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for detailed process & info. I have a small query here .. I would be applying visa for my wife & 8 months daughter along with me. Lets say if it gets approved then , Can I get the visa stamped after 2 months ?
Asking this because I would bring my wife & daughter 3-4 months later once i have all things arranged for them. If i would get the visa stamped with me then it would expire after 3 months only.
I am not sure but you need to give them tentative travel dates while stamping, so may be you can give a later date. The approval is valid for 3 months as per my knowledge so may be you can go for stamping after 1 month and get the travel dates after 1-2 months which will give you 3 months time. But once you get approval you can call the consulate and confirm. Because its always better to get the stamp as early as possible. I would also recommend you to get the stamp as early as possible and arrive in Germany as early as possible even though you may face initial setup problems.
DeleteThanks for clarification !!
DeleteSo does 3 months time starts from the day Visa is Stamped OR from the travel date you give? Do I need travel on the same date I give OR can I travel later anytime within 3 months from the date ?
The time generally starts from the date you give or the date that is mentioned on your visa as the start date. You can travel on any date but the catch is that sometimes you have to provide the flight tickets for stamping. If that is the case you need to travel on the same date that you have provided otherwise your flights tickets might be wasted. If you are not asked for a flight ticket then its upto you when you travel.
DeleteThanks,
DeleteDo you have a copy/format of Personal covering letter for Wife? Please email to amit.batham@gmail.com
Unfortunately I did the process one and a half year back so I do not have it.
DeleteHi Sachin,
ReplyDeleteYou got a nice blog here. Its very informative.
While filling the work visa form i got confused with "Will family members accompany you?" My wife will accompany me but after few months. So what should i select?
If you both will aplly together you can fill in that your wife is coming with you. If she will apply afterwards leave it blank or say no one.
DeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteHow much time did it take for spouse's visa approval to come? I applied last week.. Haven't got anything yet..
I am sorry I can not comment anything about the timings as it depends case to case. If applied together it can come in 1-2 weeks. If you are already in germany and then the spouse applies it takes between 3-6 months. But this is a general rule, it depends case to case
DeleteHi Sachin,
ReplyDeleteVery informative blog, I have some questions to clear my doubts,
1) Do I need to provide fee in the form of DD or cash will also work.
2) whether travel insurance is required at the time of appointment( if yes what will be the tentative dates) or later at the time of visa stamping.
3) do we need german translated documents e.g dob, marriage certificate, CV etc.
4) is there any address proof requirement for Indian address..
Thanks
Ankush!
Hi Ankush,
Delete1) The amount to be paid/way of payment depends on the consulate, so please contact them for accurate answer. if its Mumbai then it was DD when I applied. I had called the consulate to confirm the amount as well as the mode as this is the main reason for people to mistake so be very careful.
2) For me the travel insurance was needed for stamping. And the dates are mentioned in the visa approval email like 6-12 weeks from start date.
3) Again depends on which part of Germany you are going, to be on the safe side I translated marriage certificate, degree(both wife and mine), DOB (Both), Drivinf license(if you want to apply for German DL)
4) I had kept the electricity bill handy not sure what they can ask.
Thanks,
Sachin N
Hey Sachin,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Rohit and i have just finished my visa interview on the 10th of august 2017 for an employment visa.
I secured a job as an expert revenue management in a company called Deutsche Hospitality. I have submitted all the documents and also received a approval for the works council of Deutsche Hospitality which was also submitted to the German Consulate at Chennai.
Would this be the same works council approval that the German Immigration authorities look for before giving a green signal from their end?
I am not sure of the internal process what documents are needed. But I guess this document might expedite your aproval process (not sure) as the process varies person to person
DeleteThanks Sachin,
DeleteAlso What is the procedure of the Federal Employment Agency Approval, did we have to provide it from our side or is it done from the German Immigration Side?
Generally the approval is presented by Employer to the officers in Germany. For me my employer already have this approval and when the documents arrive in Germany for approval this document is shown by the employer. Their might be other ways but I only know this.
DeleteHey Sachin,
DeleteI applied for my visa on August 10th and after this long, i finally got the work permit (ZAV) approved yesterday (Sept 7th). I sent that scanned document to the Chennai consulate and will have the original couriered to me by Sept 13.
Just wondering, given this, how much longer should it take to get the visa stamped into my passport as my start date is Oct 4th.
I can not comment on the duration. It depends case to case. It can take maximum up to 8-12 weeks. But from the status I feel it should be done before Oct(my view can not say but). Some have ZAV pre approved then it is much faster.
DeleteThanks for all your help Sachin, Got my visa approved on Sept 12th and have already submitted my passport to the Chennai consulate for stamping on Sept 14th
DeleteNice Info. german consultancy in pune
ReplyDeleteBe charming and grin a considerable measure. Try not to speak down about anything. german visa london
ReplyDeleteHii Sachin.. Thanks for this detailed and informative blog.. I am applying for employment visa and my wife will be accompanying me... My query is, during stamping, my wife also needs to be present at VFS or will I be allowed to carry her passport?
ReplyDeleteWe had availed the courier facility, I am not sure. But I guess if she gives you a authorisation letter that might be sufficient. You can call VFS and enquire.
DeleteHii, Thanks for the reply. One more small query, where should we get our documents translated, I mean is there any authorized agency? I need to get my birth certificate translated from Hindi to English/German.
DeleteI do not remember from whom I had it translate, will check and get back to you by next week. I had translated birth Cert., Marriage Cert. and Degree. But from whomever you translate it should be recognized here in Germany.
DeleteHi Sachin ...
ReplyDeleteI have not received original employment contract from Germany, lost in transit.
How to represent in the interview for long term visa. I have coloured print out of scanned copy received in mail.
Sorry Bharad for late reply was on vacation. You need the original copy but you can tell your situation and tell them if needed you can submit later.
DeleteHi Sachin. I would like to enquire about the demand drafts for the Family Reunion visa. The checklist only mentions to bring a demand draft for verification of documents. On the fees link, it is mentioned that in family reunion cases fees vary. So what amount did you create the demand draft in? Did you also need to bring a demand draft for your wife for the visa fee in addition to the verification DD since it's not specified on the checklist?
ReplyDeleteThe verification DD at my time was not required as we applied together no verification was done. But as per my info if verification is initiated you have to pay. SO i FEEL YOU WILL NOT REQUIRE THE dd DURING APPOINTMENT BUT AFTERWARDS.
DeleteRegarding visa fees DD every person has to have a DD. So if you and your husband are applying you must have 2 DD of whatever amount is required. Please enquire with the officials for exact amount 1 or 2 weeks prior appointment.
This was the process during my time almost 2 years ago. It might have changed so you can just call the officials and ask them, they can also help you. Because wrong DD and you will be sent back.
Thank you! Btw very helpful blog.
DeleteHi Sachin,
ReplyDeleteIt is a very informative blog, your response to each query is appreciable. Good work.
Gut job :)
Raj