Declaration of commitment for a long-term stay (national visa)
As a rule, a national visa for entry for a long-term stay (more than 90 stays) can only be issued if subsistence costs during the stay in the Federal Republic of Germany are assured.
If sufficient own funds cannot be proven when applying for a national visa at the German mission abroad (embassy or consulate general), persons living in Berlin with sufficient creditworthiness can make a declaration of commitment for the applicant at the Berlin Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde).
The commitment includes bearing all subsistence costs. This includes for example the costs for housing or in the event of illness.
In addition, public funds for subsistence costs spent by an issuing authority (for example the Social Welfare office) must be reimbursed.
The declaration of commitment lasts for 5 years. This period starts with entry into the Federal Republic of Germany, if this is made possible by the declaration of commitment.
A declaration of commitment at the Berlin Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) is only possible for certain long-term purposes of residence, for example studying or as part of Berlin’s exemption rule for Syrian refugees.
Prerequisites
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Application for a national visa fort a long stay
An application for a national visa for long-term residence (more than 90 days) has been made or will soon be made at a German mission abroad (embassy, consulate). -
Personal interview only by appointment
To make an appointment please contact us via post:
Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten
IV B 1
Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24
13353 Berlin
or via E-Mail: IV_B1_GPF@labo.berlin.de (Please note that for security reasons the attachments should only be sent in PDF format.)
When contacting us please state the grounds for the Visa application (e.g. language course, intended marriage). Please also inform us of your current employment status (e.g. self-employed, employee, pensioner). With this information we can let you know which documents will be required. Only after receiving and verifying your documents will we be able to offer you an appointment. -
Creditworthiness
You need to be in a financial position to bear the subsistence costs. The amount of the monthly minimum net income depends on your marital status and maintenance obligations resulting thereof as well as the purpose of residence applied for.
For example, the minimum net income for a national visa is for a stay:
- to visit a language course / school: 2,170 euro without any maintenance obligations / 3,010 euro with maintenance obligation for 1 person / 3,610 euro with maintenance obligation for 2 persons
- to study / for a vocational training: 2,210 euro without any maintenance obligations / 3,070 euro with maintenance obligation for 1 person / 3,637 euro with maintenance obligation for 2 persons
- for job search or a wedding : 2,450 euro without any maintenance obligations / 3,410 euro with maintenance obligation for 1 person / 3,806 euro with maintenance obligation for 2 persons
Documents required
- Your German ID-Card (Personalausweis) oder passport
- Passport copy of the person applying for a national visa
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Information about marital status and existing maintenance obligations
to spouses, life partners or minor children
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Proof of creditworthiness
for example the last 6 proofs of net income or employment contract
- Completed form "Zusatzerklärung zur Verpflichtungserklärung"
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Proof of main residence in Berlin
Certificate of registration at the main residence or lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord
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More documents
In individual cases further documents may be required
Fees
Average time to process request
More information
Responsible authorities
- Long-term stay (national visa): Ausländerbehörde, location Lise-Meitner-Straße 1 in Berlin-Charlottenburg
- Short-term stay (Schengen-visa): Department II A of the Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (More on the subject in the section "More Information")