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Intended marriage in Germany and subsequent stay
General information
A visa for an intended marriage with subsequent stay in Germany can be applied for if the future spouse is a resident in Germany or if the future spouses wish to move to Germany together and intend to live together.
A visa for an intended marriage in Germany can only be granted if a certificate of intended marriage (“Anmeldung zur Eheschließung”) has been issued by the competent German German Civil Registrar (“Standesamt”), stating that a date for the wedding has been scheduled. It is therefore vital to check with the German Civil Registrar (“Standesamt”) in the town where you want to get married, which documents have to be submitted in Germany in order to obtain this certificate. For more information also see “Getting married in Germany”.
Canadian citizens as well as citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America can apply for a residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority, without applying for a visa beforehand.
Processing of the visa application in Canada can take several months, depending on approval from German authorities.
Necessary documents
Please do not staple the documents!
- Completed and signed application form:
Please fill out the online application (VIDEX) form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents. Please ensure that the barcode is printed in high quality. - Printed and signed Declaration Use of Mail Services
- Printed and signed Visa Declaration
- Valid national passport (issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival in Germany, with 2 subsequent blank pages) - original plus 1 copy of the data page
- Recent biometrical passport photograph, stamped (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background, not older than 3 months). Digitally altered pictures will not be accepted. - please do not attach the photo to the application form
- For non-Canadian citizens: Proof of Canadian residence permit, e.g. PR card, work/study permit - original plus 1 copy of the data page
- Prepaid self-addressed Xpresspost envelope (Canada Post only), Regional standard to Ontario or National standard to all other provinces (shipment to a Canadian address only). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
- Proof of housing, e.g. hotel/hostel/AirBnB (min. for the first week) with full address
To be provided prior to final approval of the visa application:
Proof of sufficient health/travel insurance coverage valid in Germany (including details about coverage: at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs. Please highlight relevant passages in the insurance terms and print only the relevant pages)
- Visa fee: see here
- Passport of your future spouse (if applicable: including his/her German residence permit) - original plus 1 copy or 1 certified copy
- Evidence of registration of your future spouse (“Meldebescheinigung”), if applicable
- Certificate of intended marriage from the German registrar's office - Standesamt (“Anmeldung zur Eheschließung”) - original plus 1 copy or 1 certified copy
- Proof of basic German language skills
- e.g. standard language test “Deutsch 1” of the Goethe Institut.
- This is also applicable for applicants who intend to marry a German national.
- There are some exemptions for the proof of basic German language skills. For more information see the flyer from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
Please note that all documents other than in German or English must be translated into German language.
Incomplete application may result in the rejection of your application. You might have to come again for a new appointment.
Please note that you may be asked to present additional documents. Submission of the required documents does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.
- If your spouse and/or children are going to accompany you, you must submit a complete set of application documents for each family member. Please provide the original and one copy of the marriage certificate and the children's birth certificate.
- Upon your arrival the border authorities may examine whether the requirements for your entry continue to be valid. Entry may be refused by the border authorities although you are in possession of a valid visa. We advise you to carry with you documents giving evidence to the purpose of your stay.
- Once you have obtained your visa please check carefully that all entries are correct and in accordance with your application. Please inform the visa section immediately if there are any mistakes.
- Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area. However please be aware that you will be still subject to the 90 days within 180 days rule outside of Germany.
All Canadian residents need to apply at the Consulate General in Toronto in person. You will have to prepare all the necessary documents (see above) and book an appointment online.
Checking the authenticity of your submitted documents is part of the processing of your visa application. Foreign certificates are often only recognized by the German authorities or courts if their authenticity has been verified in a special procedure.
The authenticity of public certificates is verified by affixing an apostille, legalization or a document verification procedure.
You can simplify and speed up the visa procedure if you present all official certificates in the appropriate form when submitting your application. This can avoid inquiries from the responsible foreigners authority as well as longer processing times in individual cases.
Please refer to the website of the German diplomatic mission in the country in which the document was issued for information on the relevant procedure.