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LEARNING GERMAN

11 words you need to know for your German visa appointment

From the ‘Antragsformular’ to the ‘Familienzusammenführung’, grasping these 11 essential words will help you navigate the complexities of your German visa application with ease.

Published: 20 October 2023 10:28 CEST
Updated: 22 October 2023 08:06 CEST
Application form for a residence permit.
Application form for a residence permit. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Wolfram Kastl

If you’re applying for a visa outside from Germany, depending on where you are, you may need to know – or will benefit from – knowing some German terms.

Das Antragsformular 

This document (application form) needs to be completed with personal information and details about the purpose of your visit. It serves as the primary application for the visa. 

Der Reisepass 

Your Reisepass (passport) serves as the primary identification document, confirming your personal information. It is then used to assess your travel patterns and visa application history.

Be sure to have enough blank pages left, as your passport will be stamped and the visa will be affixed to a blank page, indicating the dates of validity and the type of visa granted. 

Das Passfoto 

Two identical passport photos are normally required as part of your application.  They should adhere to specific size and format requirements for the visa application and have been taken in the past three months. 

Over the next few years, Germany is planning on phasing out paper photos in favour of digital ones, which can be taken during your appointment at the immigration office. 

READ ALSO: How Germany wants to speed up applications for e-residence permits

Die Aufenthaltsgenehmigung / Aufenthaltserlaubnis 

Die Aufenthaltsgenehmigung or Aufenthaltserlaubis translates to ‘residence permit’ and refers to an official document issued by the immigration authorities in Germany that grants the holder permission to reside in the country for a specified period. 

Aufenthaltstitel

A German residence permit or ‘Aufenthaltstitel’. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Daniel Karmann

It is essential for individuals who plan to live in Germany beyond the duration permitted by a standard visa. It serves as legal proof of the individual’s right to reside in the country and may be required for various administrative and legal processes.

Die Visumgebühr 

The visa fee is required to process the visa application.  

The fees vary depending on the type of visa, with shorter visas tending to cost €40 for children and €80 for adults, then longer term visas ranging from €75 to €200 depending on the visa type, applicant’s nationality and other factors.

READ ALSO: Germany or Austria: Where is it easier to get an EU Blue Card?

Das Einladungsschreiben

This ‘letter of invitation’ is a formal letter issued by a host in Germany to invite someone from another country to visit for a specific purpose. It typically contains essential details such as the purpose of the visit, the duration of the stay, the relationship between the host and the guest, and the host’s commitment to providing accommodation and financial support during the guest’s visit. 

Der Nachweis über ausreichende Mittel/über Unterkunft

Evidence of sufficient funds (ausreichende Mittel) and accommodation (Unterkunft) are prerequisites in the visa process. 

Documentation demonstrating the capability to cover expenses during the stay (accommodation, transportation, and living costs) can include bank statements, proof of income and a sponsorship letter.

Proof of accommodation can include hotel reservations or a letter of accommodation from a host for instance. 

Die Krankenversicherung 

Krankenversicherung (health insurance) is required to cover your entire visit, ensuring access to medical care while in Germany. 

The policy should include comprehensive coverage, a minimum coverage amount (usually €30,000 or more), repatriation coverage, immediate coverage, and Schengen Area coverage if you are applying for a Schengen visa. Statutory healthcare is usually mandatory if you are coming to Germany for work, and your employer will pay half of the costs. 

Health insurance cards from statutory insurer AOK.

Health insurance cards from statutory insurer AOK. German health insurance will pay your medical bills, including sick pay for up to 78 weeks. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Karl-Josef Hildenbrand

Die Botschaft/das Konsulat 

Die Botschaft (embassy) and das Konsulat (consulate) can both help you with your visa whilst abroad. 

The embassy diplomatically represents one country in another, providing consular services, including visa processing and the consulate is a branch within this that assists with visa applications and other consular matters for residents in a specific region.

READ ALSO: The vocabulary you need to understand the German citizenship process

Das Arbeitsvisum/das Studentenvisum 

A work visa and a student visa respectively, these are two of the most common visa types.

An Arbeitsvisum is typically issued based on a specific job offer or employment contract, whereas a Studentenvisum requires specific documentation from the educational institution. 

Die Familienzusammenführung / Familiennachzug 

Familienzusammenführung, or family reunification in English, is the process of bringing family members to join a foreign national who is already residing in Germany, often requiring specific documentation and proof of relationship.

By familiarising yourself with these vital terms, you can approach your often daunting visa appointment with confidence and clarity. 

Whether you’re navigating the Krankenversicherung requirements or understanding the nuances of Familienzusammenzuführung, having these German terms up your sleeve are sure to make the visa process smoother and more successful. 

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LEARNING GERMAN

‘Forget about bilingual Kitas’: Key tips for raising bilingual kids in Germany

With greater numbers of international workers choosing to settle in Germany and raise a family, the question of how to best raise bilingual children is often considered. 

Published: 25 April 2024 15:01 CEST
Updated: 28 April 2024 08:35 CEST
'Forget about bilingual Kitas': Key tips for raising bilingual kids in Germany

The Local asked its readers who have raised bilingual children in Germany to tell us how they managed to raise children who speak German in addition to their parent’s mother tongue. 

Trust the (school) system. 

One piece of advice was echoed by several readers: Trust the German education system to take care of teaching German through immersion. 

Siniša, 44, from Hesse, who speaks Croatian and English at home, told The Local: “Speak your native language at home. The school will ‘cover’ German and other languages.”

Steve, 55, who lives in Munich and speaks English and Spanish with his daughter agrees.

“Be consistent and raise your child in your native tongue. At a local school, they will learn German quickly,” he said.

Chris, 44, from Hamburg, who speaks English with his children, backed the idea of leaving kids’ schools to take charge of teaching them German.

“Get the kids into the German education system as early as possible and let them learn themselves from native speakers. As a bonus, they’ll pick it up quickly and not pick up a ‘non-German’ accent either,” he said.

Read more: ‘Multilingualism is an enrichment’ – The challenges of raisin bilingual kids in Germany

Readers also noted that even in the preschool stage, children can handle multiple languages. 

Julie, 41, who lives in Hamburg and speaks English and Italian at home, said: “Relax and go with the flow. Don’t get hung up on finding bilingual Kitas for toddlers if they already get significant exposure to the non-German language at home. Languages seem to develop in different spurts at different speeds.”

However, liaising with schools in Germany was noted as an essential skill. 

Kim, 46, based in Sindelfingen, with a family speaking both English and German, said: “It’s essential for at least one parent to understand German when children attend a German school. They can help explain language and cultural differences. They can also help with administrative matters and even homework.”

Maintain the mother tongue.

While readers were keen to encourage parents to trust the immersion process that German schools provide, they were also quick to advise a concerted effort to maintain speaking the mother tongue in and around the home. 

“For international parents, I think it’s very important that their children do not lose touch with their mother tongue, as it is a very special part of their identity,” said Prashanth, 42, who lives in Munich.

Anne-Marie, 52, from Frankfurt, who speaks ‘Singlish’ (Singaporean English) with her children, stated that it’s essential to be firm.

“Speak in your mother tongue to your kids from the day they are born. Be consequent about it, even in front of other people who do not speak your mother tongue,” she said.

Karl, 44, who lives in Celle and who speaks English and the indigenous American Ute language with his children, said getting family on board is important. 

“Communicate with all family members your decision, intentionally speak all of the languages, when possible provide translations so family members present are not excluded from conversations,” he said.

Charles, 40, from Berlin, even stated that speaking German at home may prove detrimental: “Don’t speak your own mediocre German with them. It may be hard to see them speaking another language as their more comfortable primary language than your own.”

Charles, who speaks English at home, added: “Find books and shows to share with them in your native language to continue the shared experience.”

Read More: What foreign parents should know about German schools

Just let it happen with the kids…

Sometimes, it seems, becoming bilingual takes care of itself. 

Paul, 40, from Munich, married to a German, said: “Our oldest just started speaking English one day around age 3. She had heard so much she could understand and just started talking. 

“The twins are starting to speak more and more English. It wasn’t a problem since she was fluent in both by age 4. I advise patience and not expecting perfection at a young age.

Crystal, 38, who lives in Nuremberg and speaks English at home, responded: “At first, my main concern was getting as much German into our lives as possible so my son would be ready for Grundschule. 

“Now I’m swinging the other way. My advice is to try to relax. There are always other things to worry about, and kids learn so much really quickly.”

…but also challenge yourself

Finally, respondents to The Locals’ survey repeated that raising bilingual children is something that requires a degree of effort – on the parent’s behalf. 

J.K, 40, who lives in Hanau and speaks English and Telugu at home, told The Local: “Language is very important for the kids to grow in a culture. 

“Parents should facilitate situations around the kid to better integrate locally. Parents (at least one) should be able to speak German at a level better than B1. 

“If not, supporting kids in their education is difficult, and this will hamper their chances of reaching a higher education level.”

Read More: Six surprising facts about Germany’s school system

Moreno, 40, who lives in Munich and speaks Portuguese with his children, was firm in his advice: “Don’t choose the easy way for you, parents. Don’t hide in your language community bubble. 

“If you intend to live in Germany for a long time, put your kids in German schools and get them in touch with the German community.

“If you don’t speak German like me, deal with it. But don’t transfer your problem to your kids.”

Have we missed any crucial advice for raising bilingual children in Germany? Tell us in the comments section below.

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