Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Before you send us any documents
Is it possible for non-German citizens to apply for a visa here in Germany?
Yes – assuming the traveller has a valid residence permit or certificate of freedom of movement for Germany. For some embassies, a confirmation of registration in Germany is sufficient.
Please note that passports from foreign countries occasionally lead to increased consular fees and longer processing time. BUSINESS VISUM will gladly advise you in individual cases.
I need visa for different countries, and I noticed that the respective consulates reside in different cities (e.g. Frankfurt and Bonn). What to do?
Simply send your documents to only one of BUSINESS VISUM's branch offices. Once the first visa has been issued, we will cost-effectively send the respective documents via in-house mail to the next office. You will receive your passport as soon as each and every visa has been issued.
Which documents are necessary for my visa application?
Please note the pages concerning visa regulations of the different countries. There every required document will be listed. Should you have further questions, please feel free to contact us anytime – we will gladly help you: quickly and competently.
Am I really supposed to send you my original passport?
Yes - any application for a visa requires the original passport, since the visa is registered therein at the consulate. Some embassies allow for exceptions: in individual cases a visa can be applied for submitting the passport's photocopy - provided the original passport is handed in later. Please enquire whether this is possible in your individual case.
Am I supposed to send in cash or cheques to cover the consular fees?
No - please do not send cash or cheques, nor should you transfer any visa fees to the respective consulate in advance. BUSINESS VISUM will lay out al expenses (consular fees, service and bank service charges etc.). We often use individual methods of payment and procedures with the appropriate embassies and consulates which considerable shorten the processing time.
Questions concerning shipment and processing
When is the right time to send my documents to BUSINESS VISUM?
Send your documents as soon as possible. This way you can save money both with the embassies and with us, since we can offer you special low-price rates. Processing time depends on the respective consulate, usually it is in the range of 24 hours up to eight weeks. You can find the usual processing time at the various embassies and consulates in our list of individual entry regulations. If you name a delivery date when you place your order with us, we will automatically apply for your visa at the lowest possible rate, depending on said delivery date.
Shortening processing time usually is possible, though extra charges may apply. Some countries even allow obtaining your visa on the day of your departure.
In urgent cases, we will try everything to find a solution for you. In these cases please contact us immediately.
How to send documents to BUSINESS VISUM?
Since those documents contain sensitive data, we strongly suggest to send them by registered mail, so you obtain a certificate by the carrier. Of course, it is your decision what way you send the documents, depending on your personal demand for reliability and speed. Some companies offer extremely low rates, but cannot compete with (more expensive) courier firms regarding adherence to schedules and error rates.
We will deliver your documents to the respective consulate the next working day (provided that the documents are complete and the consulate is open). If your documents reach us before 09.00 a.m., we can submit them the same day.
Can I get my documents picked up by BUSINESS VISUM at my home address / my workplace?
We gladly offer you "full service": Just give us a call at one of our branch offices, and we will get your documents picked up by our reliable courier firm, whether at your home address or your workplace. We closely work together with GO! General Overnight, a nationally and internationally active network of courier firms. Secure and reliable pick-up by GO! offers several advantages:
You will not have to attend to transportation, we will take care of everything.
The GO! courier will deliver the shipment to us early next workday, so your documents can be processed immediately. No express charge will apply.
You will not have to attend to tracking, you will not have to check the courier's invoice. business visum will take care of everything.
Please call us, we will gladly deliver a complete solution for you!
Can I deliver my documents to BUSINESS VISUM personally? / Can I pick up my documents at BUSINESS VISUM personally?
Yes – of course we will accept your documents personally in our branch offices in Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt a. M., Hamburg or Munich. In case you have any questions, we will gladly answer them. Either your documents will then be submitted to the respective consulate immediately, or they will be sent to the appropriate business visum's local branch office via in-house mail.
The same applies if you want to pick up your visa at our offices personally. We will inform you (via e-mail or telephone) as soon as your passport has been duly processed.
Opening hours: monday through friday, 7.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Bonn/Frankfurt 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.).
What payment methods does BUSINESS VISUM accept?
Apart from the easy way of paying via direct debit, you can pay cash when personally picking up the passport/s. Companies can also pay on account if desired.
To which of BUSINESS VISUM's branch office do I have to send my documents?
During the last years, many embassies introduced the principle of jurisdiction: The respective countries have several consulates, each of which is responsible for a number of the federal states of Germany. Some of those countries require the applicants to refer to the consulate responsible for the applicant's residence. On our website the appropriate branch office of business visum is stated in each case, together with the entry regulations of the various countries.
What kind of return mail should I choose?
As given on our order form, we offer returning your documents via GO! Overnight courier or via UPS.
We recommend choosing GO!, since the Overnight courier is the safest, fastest and most reliable form of mailing. Please keep in mind that your passport has increased in value with the new visa, thus it is a sensitive document being transported here.
Alternatively, we suggest returning your documents via "UPS Standard". Unfortunately, this mode does not offer any guarantees concerning the duration of shipment.
Sometimes, "UPS Express Saver" might be the method of choice. This is slightly more expensive, but guarantees delivery within 48 hours.
We will gladly advise you concerning the shipment mode of choice.
Can BUSINESS VISUM deposit my passport at the airport?
Yes. If you wish, we will deposit your passport at any airport in Germany or organize personal delivery via the courier service at any place and time of your choice. Please inquire by telephone concerning your individual situation at one of our branch offices.
General questions
Does BUSINESS VISUM offer information concerning necessary/required vaccinations and security/travel warnings for my destination?
You will find information about required vaccinations and general security advice via the Foreign Office (Germany) - "Auswärtiges Amt", dept. "Reise und Sicherheit“.
Where do I find information concerning entry to the US?
You will find everything necessary for tourist trips to the US at the website of the US-american embassy.
For every other question concerning visa and entry regulations for the US (particularly for businesspeople, mechanics/electricians, investors etc.), we recommend the US visa service offered by our partner "The American Dream USA Services GmbH" (or TAD, for short). TAD is a specialist and European market leader for investors as well as firms and their employees. The company offers competent advise and will deal with every aspect of all formalities concerning visitor visa, business visa (E-1, E-2, L) and all Green Card procedures. You can find out more here.
Do I need a visa for the United Kingdom (UK)? If so, what visa regulations do apply?
Since Great Britain requires any visa applicants to attend in person, BUSINESS VISUM is not any longer authorized to function as intermediary for entry regulations and visa regulations. Thus, we suggest to consult the consular regulations on the United Kingdom's website.
Does BUSINESS VISUM offer special rates for corporate customers and travel agents?
Yes. Based on individually tailored outline agreements, we offer special rates for corporate customers and travel agents. For individual consultation, please ask our sales department via telephone (0 30 - 26 39 30 1182) or e-mail (vertrieb[at]business-visum.de)