Welcome
Short-term Visa (Schengen Visa for stays of up to 90 days)
Short-Term Stay (Up to 90 Days)
Currently Schengen Visa are valid for the following countries (unless otherwise stated in the visa):
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Romania.
A Schengen visa issued by an embassy of any of the above-mentioned countries allows the holder to travel freely within all these countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Please note that despite having a valid passport and visa, you may be refused entry at any border in the Schengen Area if you are unable to provide proof of the purpose and conditions of your intended stay, financial means, health insurance, or if you do not fulfill other entry requirements.
The German Embassy in Lusaka is responsible for visa applications from applicants who reside in Zambia and whose main destination in the Schengen Area, according to the purpose and length of the intended stay, is Germany, Austria, Hungary, or Slovenia. If no main destination can be determined (i.e., you intend to spend an equal amount of time in two or more Schengen Area countries), you may also apply at the German Embassy in Lusaka if your first point of entry into the Schengen Area is in Germany, Austria, Hungary, or Slovenia.
The following steps will assist you with the visa application process.
Complete your Application Form
You may fill out your application form via this link . Please note that this is not an online application. Your printed application must be submitted to the German Embassy. The completed and signed form must be submitted to the German Embassy along with the other application supporting documents.
Prepare Your Required Documents
Please note that we can only accept your application if it is complete and all required documents are submitted at the time of your appointment.
| Completely filled-in and signed application form |
| One passport sized photo with a bright background |
| Valid and undamaged passport with at least 2 blank pages (also has to be valid for at least 3 months after the intended return date to your come country) |
| Copy of passport particulars and all stamps and visas in the passport |
| National Registration Card |
Proof of overseas travel health insurance with the following specifications: - coverage of the entire period of your stay in the Schengen area - coveage of the entire Schengen area - Minimum coverage at least 30,000 euros - coverage of the repatriation of mortal remains - if the trip involves Sport activities, the insurance has to cover injuries resulting from these activities |
Flight itinerary/ quotation Flight Reservation and complete intended itinerary indicating the intended date of entry and exit into/ from the Schengen area; if possible covering the whole intended journey through the Schengen states. In case you travel to/ through more than one country, you have to dhow flight details for the whole trip. You are NOT required to provide proof of purchase of a flight ticket before a visa is issued. We strongly advice to only purchase a ticket after a visa has been issued. |
If you are a non-Zambian national: Visa/ work permit/ residence permit in Zambia valid at least three months after your departure from the Schengen States (residence Card and stamp in passport). If you do not intend to return to Zambia, you should show proof that entry to your sountry of origin or a third country is guaranteed. |
Proof of employment If you are employed: Employment contract or recent employer's statement, including Information on monthly salary and granted leave, recent letter from emplyoer indicating your employment status within the company as well as the duration of the contract and duration of employment, payslips (signed and stamped by the company), NAPSA If you are a company owner or self-employed: Certificate of Registration of the company as well as company shareholder certificate from PACRA, tax return form (form 5 and 7). |
Proof of financial means - personal bank statements of the last three months, stamped by the bank - payslips of the last three months, stamped and signed by the employer - other documents that prove your financial means if applicable, e.g. income through property, social benefits Please note: If applicants are not able to prove that they are able to cover all arising costs in Connection with the planned travel to the Schengen area, they have to provide a formal declaration of Obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung) issued by the German Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) or the Austrian/Slovenian/ Hungerian authority. However, own bank ctatements and payslips are requested regardless in order to evaluate the ties to the home country. |
Proof of integration into the country of residence - employment: See proof of employment - proof of family ties: Marriage/ birth certificates - Others: Proof of other special circumstances e.g. nursing care of family members, etc |
Minor applicants - birth certificate including full names of both parents - certified copies of IDs/passports of both parents The visa application has to be signed by both parents mentioned in the birth certificate or the parent/ Person who has sole custody of the child in front of the visa staff at the German Embassy. If one parent has sole custody, adequate proof must be provided (e.g death certificate of other parent, divorce decree with custody Arrangement, court order of guardianship etc) If the child travels with only one parent, the other parent must produce an adequate consent (signature certified by a competent authority) |
Fee of 90 euros, payable in Zambian Kwacha, either in cash or via VISA/Mastercard credit card and subject to the Embassy's current Exchange rate. Exceptions may apply. Please note: This is a Registration fee and in case of rejection of your application, there will be no refund. |
- Invitation letter written and signed by the inviting Party, stating the purpose of the trip and the Duration of the intended stay. The signature should be certified by a competent authority in Germany
- For family visits: proof of family ties with the inviting person
- proof of accommodation for the whole duration of stay in Germany/Austria/Hungary/Slovenia
- Invitation from business partner in Germany/Austria/ Hungary/Slovenia explaining the purpose of the trip and inteded length of stay, signed and stamped by the Business Partner and other evidence of the purpose of the trip (e.g entry tickets for trade fairs, congresses etc). For German invitations, a formal Obligation declaration according to §§66-68 AufenthG (Verpflichtungserklärung) may be required
- If the cost of the trip are borne by your business partner, this must be stated in the letter of invitation
- Confirmation of your employer about your position in the company as well as the prupose and conditions of your trip, including how the costs will be met (accommodation, meals, per diem allowance, health insurance).
- If the costs are borne by your company: Signed letter to that effect, certificate of registration, company bank account statement of the past three months, stamped by the bank
- Hotel reservation or proof of other accommodation
- Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the inteded stay throughout the Schengen states, document from the Hotel/ Establishment providing accommodation or any other appropriate document indicating the accommodation envisaged, e.g. proof of real estate property
- confirmation of the booking of an organised trip or any other appropriate document indicateng the envisaged travel plans e.g. individual booking or planned acitivities, guided tours, event tickets etc.
- A certificate from a medical institution confirming the the need of specific medical treatment to be prrovided in the destination country
- An official document of the medical Institution in Germany/ Austria/Hungary/ Slovenia confirming that that it has committed to perform the specific medical Treatment and that the patient will be accepted accordingly.
- An estimate of the anticipated length of stay of the patient in Hospital before being released to return to his home country
- proof of pre-payment of the treatment or other proof of sufficient financial means to cvoer the medical treatment and related expenses (accommodation, special needs, additional insurance cover).
Applicants should provide a letter by the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the official visit and the delegation list.
Zambian and Malawian travellers, like the vast majority of foreign travelers, benefit from the “Transit privilege”.
This means that you do not Need a Transit visa if you do not leave the international Airport area during a stopover at a German Airport and if your final Destination in not a Schengen Country.
For more Information and a list of nationalities who do NOT have the Transit privilege, please visit
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/FAQ/VisumFuerD/33-Transit.html?nn=480902
Additionally, please be aware that, depending on the specifics of your case, further documents may be requested during the assessment of your application.
Book Your Appointment Online
All applicants must submit their application in person. Fingerprints will be collected from all applicants in accordance with the Visa Code.
If you are traveling in a group, please note that each group member must schedule their own appointment.
You can book your appointment online HERE
The Embassy will process your Application
The German Embassy will review your application and make a decision, ensuring that it meets the legal requirements. While this process generally takes up to 14 days, decisions are often made more quickly. When submitting your application, you may ask for an estimated processing time. Please note that no inquiries about the application status can be answered during this period.
After processing, your passport will be ready for collection. It can be picked up in person or by an authorized representative during pickup times, Monday through Thursday at 12.00 hrs.
If your visa application is denied, you will receive a refusal letter explaining the reasons for the refusal and outlining possible legal remedies. The refusal notification will be provided along with your passport. You may submit a new application at any time, provided it includes complete and verifiable documents.
Check your Visa Details
If your visa has been issued, please check all details carefully as soon as you receive your passport. Pay special attention to:
- The visa’s validity (start and end dates)
- The number of days allowed for your stay (this is the maximum number of days you may stay in the Schengen area within the validity period)
- The correct spelling of your name
- The number of entries granted
If you notice any errors, please inform the visa section immediately. They cannot be held responsible for any issues arising from incorrect data or a missing signature in your travel document.
Have a good trip!
Once all the information on your visa is correct, you are ready to travel.
Important Notes:
- For annual or multi-year visas, you may not stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days within any 180-day period
- A Schengen visa does not guarantee entry. The border police will make the final decision when you arrive.
At the border, you may be asked to provide additional documents, such as:
✔ Proof of financial means
✔ Details about the duration and purpose of your stay
✔ Proof of health insurance coverage
To avoid issues, carry a copy of your visa documents, including your invitation letter (if applicable), hotel reservation, and travel health insurance.
Complaints
Schengen visa applicants may submit complaints about the conduct of consulate staff or the visa application process via the contact form. When filling out the form, please select the option “Schengen Visa Complaint.”