Guides on this topic
Visa types
Tourist Schengen visa
A short-stay visa for exploring Germany or a European trip where Germany is the main destination.
Business and trade fair visa
For trade fairs, meetings and business talks in Germany; an invitation from the host company or fair registration is central.
Visiting family or friends
For visiting relatives or friends in Germany; an invitation letter and the host's ID or residence permit are requested.
Student (national) visa
A national type D visa for university study or long language courses, requiring an admission letter and proof of funding.
Typical documents
- Valid passport and copies of visas in previous passports
- Completed and signed application form
- Biometric passport photo
- Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area
- Flight reservation and proof of accommodation
- Recent bank statements
- Employer letter, payslips and SGK service record
- For business owners: tax registration and trade registry gazette
- For business trips: invitation from the German company or trade fair registration
- For family visits: invitation letter and the host's ID or residence permit
Document lists vary by applicant and by consulate; the consulate's current official list is always the one that counts.
How to apply
- 1
Confirm that Germany is your main destination and choose the right visa category.
- 2
Review the German missions' current document list for your purpose of travel.
- 3
Complete the application form and prepare your documents in the listed order.
- 4
Book an appointment at the authorised visa application centre.
- 5
Submit your documents and give your biometric data at the appointment.
- 6
Track your application and collect your passport once a decision is made.
Which German mission in Türkiye handles your application?
German visa applications in Türkiye are decided by the visa sections of the Embassy in Ankara, the Consulate General in Istanbul and the Consulate General in İzmir. The competent one depends on the province where you live:
- Embassy in Ankara: Ankara together with most provinces in Central Anatolia, the Black Sea region, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, plus provinces such as Adana, Mersin, Hatay, Konya and Zonguldak (56 provinces in total).
- Consulate General in Istanbul: Balıkesir, Bilecik, Bolu, Bursa, Çanakkale, Düzce, Edirne, Eskişehir, Istanbul, Kırklareli, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Tekirdağ and Yalova.
- Consulate General in İzmir: Afyon, Antalya, Aydın, Burdur, Denizli, Isparta, İzmir, Kütahya, Manisa, Muğla and Uşak.
Applications are accepted at the offices across Türkiye of the single authorised visa application centre the missions work with, and forwarded to the competent mission. The missions stress that third parties and agencies have no access to the appointment system. When Germany is the right country to apply to is explained in our which country to apply to guide.
How the German process works
- 1
Complete the form in Videx
The Schengen visa application form is completed in Videx, Germany's online visa form; alternatively, a printed form can be filled in by hand.
- 2
Choose the correct purpose of travel
According to the missions, visiting a relative is a visit, not a tourist trip. If your documents do not match the category chosen, the application is not accepted and you need a new appointment in the correct category.
- 3
Register on the waiting list early
In all visa categories, appointments are given in chronological order of registration on the waiting list. The missions report long waiting times, particularly in the visit and tourist categories.
- 4
For national visas, check the Consular Services Portal
Since 1 January 2025, some national visa categories are registered and applied for through the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de); registering on the portal is not a valid visa application.
Who can apply without an appointment
- Trade fair exhibitors showing goods at a fair (only with a valid exhibitor pass)
- People who need to travel to Germany at short notice for medical treatment (a medical report is required)
- People travelling because of the death of a first- or second-degree relative (a death certificate is required)
- Applicants for an airport transit visa
- If these conditions cannot be proven with documents, a normal appointment is required.
Fingerprints: If you gave fingerprints for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months, you may be exempt from applying in person and can apply through someone holding your written authorisation. The missions note, however, that transferring earlier fingerprints to a new application is often not technically possible, in which case your fingerprints must be taken before a visa is issued; to avoid delays, they recommend applying in person.
Practical tips
- Demand for appointments rises around major trade fairs, so plan your application as soon as you know the dates.
- A business invitation should state the purpose, the dates and who is covering the costs.
- For university study in Germany, funding is usually shown through a blocked account (Sperrkonto); plan this early.
- National visas follow a different procedure from Schengen visas; do not plan a long stay on a short-stay visa.
Official sources
We checked the information on this page against the official sources below. Always confirm the current rules there before you apply.
- German Missions in Türkiye — Visastuerkei.diplo.de
- German Federal Foreign Office — Visa serviceauswaertiges-amt.de
- German Consular Services Portal — Visadigital.diplo.de
- German Missions in Türkiye — Current information and application phase (in Turkish)tuerkei.diplo.de
- German Missions in Türkiye — Addresses and consular districtstuerkei.diplo.de