If you cannot submit your visa application through the the Consular Services Portal (External link)  in your country, please use the digital Videx application (External link) . Complete the online form and submit it together with the required documents to the German embassy responsible for your place of residence.

If you wish to apply for either a visa or a temporary or permanent residence permit, you will generally have to pay a fee. The amount depends on the place, duration and purpose of your stay. 

The fee for visa of any category is €75. The maximum fee for a first application for a residence permit and EU Blue Card is €100. Between €113 and €147 are charged for the granting of a settlement permit. 

However, under certain circumstances you can get a reduction or even be exempted from the fee altogether. For example, the spouses and children of German nationals are exempt from visa fees. Also, if your stay in Germany is funded by a public scholarship, you do not have to pay any visa fees. You can find out more about this topic from the German mission abroad in your country (see “visa fees”) or your local foreigners authority (External link)  (fees for temporary or permanent residence permits). In addition, the Federal Foreign Office provides an overview of the applicable visa fees (External link) .