3.1 Basic Principle and Jurisdiction
National visas (Category D) are issued for longer-term stays with a specific purpose, e.g., study, work, family reunification, research, or volunteer service. They are generally issued for 90 days up to a maximum of 1 year; after entering Germany, an application for a residence permit (residence permit, EU Blue Card, settlement permit, etc.) must be submitted to the local Foreigners’ Registration Office.
Applications for national visas must be submitted directly to the German Embassy in Kampala after booking an appointment online. For certain categories (family reunification, au pair, FSJ/voluntary service, internships), applicants must first register on an electronic waiting list due to high demand.
3.2 General Documentation Requirements for National Visas
The Embassy publishes checklists for each purpose of stay; the following generally applies:
- Fully completed and signed national visa application form (“Application for a National Visa”) + “Declaration of True and Complete Information” pursuant to Section 54(2)(8), § 53 of the Residence Act.
- Valid passport + 1 copy of the data page; for third-country nationals: proof of a valid Ugandan or South Sudanese residence permit.
- 2 recent biometric passport photos (white background).
- Complete curriculum vitae (CV) in German or English.
- Proof of purpose of stay (e.g., university admission, employment contract, apprenticeship, marriage/birth certificates, etc.).
- Proof of financial means (e.g., blocked account, scholarship, employment contract, letter of financial support).
- Proof of health insurance valid from the date of entry (at least until statutory insurance in Germany takes effect).
- Visa fee €75 (€37.50 for minors), payable in Ugandan shillings, non-refundable.
Documents that are not in German or English must be submitted with a certified German or English translation. In many family reunification cases, Ugandan documents (birth and marriage certificates) are verified by the embassy as part of a “Verification of Ugandan Documents” process, which may incur additional forms and fees.