Voluntary service — National visa (long-stay)

From Auswärtiges Amt

“The visa decision is made by the German consular post in Vietnam. At submission, German skills are tested in a short interview. If the placement organisation's pocket money and in-kind benefits are insufficient to cover livelihood, the consular post may, during review, request additional financing evidence (e.g. a blocked account). Incomplete applications can prolong processing or lead to a refusal.”

— Federal Foreign Office of Germany · German diplomatic missions

What you need

You must show a contract or agreement on the voluntary service (signatures depend on programme type — for Bundesfreiwilligendienst signed by you, BAFzA, the placement organisation (Einsatzstelle), the central body (Zentralstelle), and where applicable the sponsor (Träger); for FSJ/FÖJ signed by you, the sponsor, and where applicable the placement organisation); proof of financing at least 752 EUR/month (325 EUR accommodation, 150 EUR food, 277 EUR pocket money; in-kind benefits count); a motivation letter including your career perspective after the service; a tabular CV; a passport; an A1 language certificate (exception: a confirmation from the placement organisation or sponsor that no language skills are needed at entry); and medical insurance for the entire stay.

Checklist

Application and identity

Application form for national visas, completely filled out and signed by the applicant (online application form „VIDEX") *
Two recent biometric passport photos (45 mm x 35 mm) (photo specifications template). Please glue only one photo onto the application form and bring the second loose *
Valid passport (or a recognised substitute travel document) *

Voluntary-service documents

Tabular and complete CV. In particular setting out your prior education and employment *
Motivation letter. In a self-written letter, explain why you want to engage, what expectations you have of the voluntary service in Germany, and how the stay can benefit your future. Also discuss your career perspective after the voluntary service *
Contract/agreement. The contract or agreement on the voluntary service must be submitted in original. Note on the Federal Volunteer Service (Bundesfreiwilligendienst): your contract must be signed by you, the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Tasks (BAFzA), the placement organisation (Einsatzstelle), the central body (Zentralstelle), and where applicable the sponsor implementing the voluntary service (Träger). Note on Youth Voluntary Services (Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) or Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ)): your contract must be signed by you, the respective sponsor (Träger), and where applicable the placement organisation *
Proof of financing. You must prove that your livelihood is secured during the stay in Germany. As a rule, you receive pocket money from your placement organisation, sometimes also accommodation and meals. Livelihood is considered secured when volunteers have at least 752 EUR per month plus free health and long-term-care insurance. This amount consists of 325 EUR for accommodation, 150 EUR for food, and 277 EUR for pocket money. A mix of cash and in-kind benefits (e.g. free accommodation) is possible. Submit a confirmation that clearly shows how much pocket money and which other benefits you receive for your service. Exception: if this information is already contained in the contract or agreement on the voluntary service, no additional confirmation is required. Note: where in an individual case the pocket money and other benefits from the placement organisation are not sufficient to secure your livelihood, it may be necessary for you to submit additional proof for the shortfall, e.g. via a blocked account. If this is your case, you will be contacted during application review *
Language certificate. You must prove that you have German language skills at least at A1 level. Currently recognised are certificates from the following examination providers: Goethe-Institut e.V.; telc GmbH; Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD); „TestDaF" of the TestDaF-Institut e.V. (institute of FernUniversität Hagen and Ruhr-Universität Bochum, exam level starts at B2 CEFR); ECL examination centre. At application, German skills are tested in a short interview. Exception: if you have a confirmation from the placement organisation or sponsor that you do not need language skills at entry, you do not have to submit a language certificate

Medical insurance

Medical insurance. Please present proof of adequate medical insurance for the entire planned duration of your stay already at application *