In a move to prevent the introduction of SARS-CoV2-variants, the German Government on 30th January 2021 has imposed a general ban on travel and entry from countries with widespread occurrence of such virus variants (referred to as areas of variant of concern). These include South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho.
The ban has been extended until 14.04.2021 and may be further extended depending on the development of the pandemic.
Transport companies, e.g. air carriers and railway companies, may not transport any persons from these countries to Germany. Entry for such travellers into Germany is not allowed under Art. 14 (1) / Art. 6 (1) lit e of the Schengen Borders Code.
There are only a few, strictly defined exceptions to this travel ban:
• German citizens
• Members of the nuclear family of Germans who travel jointly with them. The nuclear family comprises spouses, legal partners, minor children and parents of minor children
• Citizens of the EU-countries and Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Iceland who have their permanent residence in Germany
• Third country nationals with permanent residence and lawful residence in Germany
• Transit passengers (in international transit only, not within the Schengen Area)
• Repatriating crews
• Health Workers
• Persons traveling on urgent humanitarian reasons
• Persons traveling in official mission for EURATOM, the International Atomic Energy Organization or the United Nations or UN-organizations.
Please find more details on the Website of the German Federal Foreign Office concerning the following topics:
Travel ban, general entry restrictions, test requirements, digital entry registration, quarantine regulations
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Corona-Virus situation in Germany can be found here.
Applications for long-term visa
If you are planning a long term stay in Germany (such as for work or family reunification) you can find more information here. Please note that although it is currently possible to submit a national visa application the visa itself will not be issued as long as the above mentioned travel ban is in place.
PLEASE NOTE:
The following information only applies for the time after the travel and entry ban from areas with virus variants of concern will have been lifted:
Applications for Schengen visa - only in exceptional cases
Entry to Germany from South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho under certain conditions - after lifting of the entry ban - will be possible. Please find below the list of exceptions where travel is permitted and a Schengen visa application may be submitted.
If you already have a valid Schengen visa issued before 17.03.2020 you will only be permitted entry to Germany - after lifting of the entry ban - if one of the exceptions apply to you and the additional documentation (as mentioned below) are provided upon entry.
How to apply for a Schengen visa �` additional documentation required
Should you be planning a trip under one of the exception categories, you may schedule an appointment with the external service provider TLS to submit your application.
Please make sure that, in addition to all the documents required for the basic purpose of the trip (e.g. business or visit), you also submit the documentation listed below in the respective category with your application.
You can find general information on Schengen-Visas here
Applications for which the required documentation is missing, including proof of the existence of an exceptional case, must unfortunately be rejected. Neither the visa fee nor the service providers’ fee will be refundable in these cases.
Info
When travelling please make sure that the documentation is on hand at all times in case requested by the Federal Border Police upon entry.
Quarantine in Germany - still mandatory
When entering Germany you are subject to quarantine regulations. Check carefully whether the duration and circumstances of the quarantine make it possible to achieve your purpose and duration of the trip, justifying the current trip.
Further Information regarding current quarantine regulations can be found here and on the Website of the Federal Foreign Office.
Regulations on accomodation in Germany
Due to the partial lockdown in Germany many Hotels, pensions and guest-houses are closed or may close. When a Schengen visa is issued, the German Missions in South Africa cannot foresee that the booked accommodation will still be open at the time of arrival in Germany. Hotel closures due to a lack of demand can be expected. If there is no additional booking confirmation, the traveler may be denied entry by the German Federal Police.
Therefore for Schengen visa applications, additional documents regarding accomodation must be submitted with immediate effect:
• A hotel booking confirmation for business travelers, which was issued after 29.01.2021 and confirms the reservation. The applicant needs to travel with the requested document on hand.
• Confirmation from the family that was issued after 29.01.2021 that accommodation will be provided by them. The applicant needs to travel with the requested document on hand.
List of exceptions from entry restrictions for short-term stays in Germany
A) Family Visits:
Visits by members of the so-called nuclear family (i.e. spouses, registered partners, minor children and parents of minor children) of the following group of persons:
• German citizens
• European Union citizens
• Citizens of the United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway or Iceland
• Third-country nationals with an existing long-term right of residence and residence in an EU or Schengen member state or the UK (residence permit or long-term visa)
To be submitted additionally:
• Proof of the family relationship and passport copy of the family member who is being visited
Short-term visits

of first or second degree relatives not belonging to the “nuclear” family for imperative family reasons such as
• Births; Weddings; Deaths / Funerals
• Special exceptional cases for which there is compelling reason.
To be submitted additionally:
• Proof of the urgent reason for travel and the family relationship
Short-term visits by the third-country partner to a nonmarried/non-registered partner in Germany and for marriage if:
• It is a long-term, permanent relationship / partnership;
• Both partners having met at least once in person;
• The partner issuing the invitation is a German citizen, a citizen of another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom or a third-country national with a long-term residence permit for Germany.
To be submitted additionally:
• a written invitation from the person living in Germany, as well as a copy of the identity documents of the person issuing the invitation,
• a declaration of the existence of the relationship, signed by both partners and including the contact details of both partners, and
• other suitable evidence of previous personal meetings, in particular passport stamps, travel documents / flight tickets or a shared residence in another country; additional documentation such as photos, social media posts, postal/email correspondence etc. may also be provided.
Joint visits by unmarried couples from abroad if
• There are urgent reasons (e.g. wedding, illness or funeral of close relatives)
• One of the partners is a German citizen or a citizen of another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom.
• The relationship/partnership is of a long term-nature, i.e. intended to be lasting and both partners having a joint place of residence abroad.
To be submitted additionally:
• A written explanation of the urgent reason for the joint entry with a declaration of the existence of the relationship, signed by both partners and including the contact details of both partners, and
• Proof of the existing relationship, particularly proof of a joint place of residence abroad (e.g. residence registration certificate). Supplementary proof may be provided in the form of photos, social media, letters and email correspondence.
B) Business trips and work purposes
Business trips for specialists or highly qualified people
To be submitted additionally:
• A declaration on the absolute necessity for a business trip at short notice personally signed by the business partner or employer in Germany. (n.B: a declaration by a business partner or employer in the sending State (third country) is not sufficient by itself). The letter by the German business partner / employer must contain the declaration that the trip cannot be postponed, the work cannot be carried out abroad and is absolutely necessary for economic reasons. (Sample letter)
• Proof that the business traveler is a specialist or highly qualified Person
Trade Fair exhibitors
To be submitted additionally:
• Confirmation of participation by the trade fair organizer
Trade Fair visitors
To be submitted additionally:
• Entry ticket to the fair
• Confirmation by at least one exhibitor that an appointment has been scheduled for a business meeting at the trade fair
Assembly specialists
To be submitted additionally:
• Contract for work and services
• Contractor´s employment confirmation for the traveller
• Labour Agency´s confirmation of receipt for the notification made by the customer having commissioned the assembly or disassembly in question
Seafarers
To be submitted additionally:
• Confirmation from the employer about the purpose of the trip
• Seafarers` book
Professional athletes taking part in competitions / tournaments
To be submitted additionally:
• Invitation / confirmation of participation from the German organizer
Umpires taking part in competitions / tournaments or international sporting events in Germany
To be submitted additionally:
• Invitation by the respective German Federal Sports Federation or accreditiation by the organizing committee
Journalists in particularly justified individual cases
To be submitted additionally:
• Letter by the employer specifying the particular need for travel
Employees for religious reasons in particularly justified cases
To be submitted additionally:
• Letter by the employer in Germany specifying the particular need for travel
Artists in particularly justified individual cases
To be submitted additionally:
• Letter by the German organizer specifying the particular need for travel
C) Other travel purposes:
Travel for compelling medical reasons
To be submitted additionally:
• Verification and confirmation that treatment cannot be carried out in SA and that without the treatment; the condition would be life threatening and further damage could occur (sample doctors` certificate)
• Confirmation by the receiving clinical institution in Germany about scheduled medical Treatment
Participation in court hearings
To be submitted additionally:
• Summons from the German court
If you are planning a long term stay in Germany (such as for work or family reunification) you can find more information here.
Frequently asked questions to the Corona-Virus situation in Germany can be found here.
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