National Visa (For staying in the country for more than 90 days)

The National Visa is the long-term entry visa for a specific purpose of travel. It is usually granted for 90 days, in certain cases up to a year. After entering the country, a domestic residence permit is usually required.

Citizens of the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa.

Further information can be found on the website of the German Embassy Dublin

How to Apply?

There are two ways to apply for a National Visa:

  1. Direct Appointment at Visametric: Certain visa categories can be applied for directly through our appointment system at Visametric.
  2. Consular Services Portal: Certain visa categories can only be applied through Consular Services Portal. Find information on the Consular Services Portal by clicking here.

Visa Categories and Application Process

Categories Available via Visametric Appointment System:

Working Holiday Visa

  • Applicants must submit their application before their 31st birthday; Canadians must do so before their 35th birthday. ** The following nationalities are eligible to apply for a Working Holiday in Dublin:
  • Chile, Argentina, Uruguay
  • Citizens from Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand can apply in Dublin but also directly with the Immigration Office in Germany.
  • Citizens from Israel, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brazil must apply at the Embassy/Consulates in their country.

Categories Available Exclusively via the Consular Services Portal:

  • Employment Visas:
    • Employment in a training occupation
    • Employment for academics
    • EU Blue Card
      • Blue Card - University degree
      • Blue Card - IT experience
      • Blue Card - Tertiary qualification
    • Employment with professional experience
  • Vocational and Educational Visas:
    • Vocational training
      • Company-based training and further education
      • School-based training and further education
      • Search for a training position
    • Studies
      • Studies - Specific qualifications
      • Studies - APS
      • Studies - Regular
      • Studies - Application/Language course

Applying Through the Consular Services Portal

The Consular Services Portal provides a streamlined and secure online application process.

  1. Complete your application online and have it pre-checked by Visametric.
  2. Receive feedback and make any necessary corrections.
  3. Schedule an in-person appointment at Visametric after the pre-check.
  4. Submit biometric data (fingerprints and photo) at your appointment.
  5. Your application is forwarded to the Embassy for processing.
  6. Receive your passport with a visa decision.

For frequently asked questions, visit: Top 10 Questions on the Consular Services Portal (Link: https://digital.diplo.de/FAQ)

Important Notice for Work Visa Applicants and Their Family Members

Dear applicants,

Please be advised that all family members of individuals applying for a work visa must bring a physical (printed) copy of their documents to their appointment.

Additionally, family members of individuals applying for a work visa should not register on the Foreign Portal. While the main applicant is applying through the Foreign Portal for a work visa, once their documents have been reviewed and accepted, they will be directed to the Visametric appointment system to select a date. At this stage, the main applicant must create an appointment through the Visametric system by selecting as many people as there are family members to include them in the appointment. Family members must prepare and bring their application documents separately when coming to the appointment.

You can find detailed information about the documents that family members are required to submit on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.https://dublin.diplo.de/resource/blob/2497088/acae680a226bd4e9c1046d74a2c85119/v-checklist-fz-25-07-23-data.pdf

General Visa Requirements:

In order to apply for a visa:

• Your passport must have at least two empty pages for visas.

• Your passport must have been issued within the last ten years.

• Furthermore, you must provide proof of legal residence in Ireland, such as a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card or Irish Visa.

Visa applicants will have their fingerprints taken. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the requirement to give fingerprints.

Important Notes:

Employment Visa

The validity of your degree will be assessed. You can check if your degree is listed on 'Anabin' as 'equivalent' or 'comparable.' If your degree is not listed on Anabin or does not receive the aforementioned assessment, you may be required to have it assessed by the ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen / Central Office for Foreign Education). An assessment may also be necessary if Anabin lists your degree as equivalent with conditions

For applicants under 18:

  • birth certificate or proof of guardianship
  • recent letter from school, signed
  • passports of all guardians and Irish residence permit

For minors travelling alone or with only one parent:

  • written consent to the intended journey, signed by all guardians and certified by notary public or Garda

For applications of minors (under 18), at least one parent must be present when the application is made.