For your visa application, you need an application form. As a general rule, the digital Videx form is required. Fill out the form and submit it along with the required documents to the competent German embassy. You can also use the visa application forms (PDF), which you can download from the website.
Visa fees, residence permit, and permanent residence permit.
When applying for a visa, residence permit, or permanent residence permit, you are generally required to pay certain fees. The amount of these fees depends on the location, duration, and purpose of your stay.
For all categories of national visas (long-term stay), the fee is 75 euros. As a general rule, this amount can be paid in the local currency at the German mission abroad. For a first application for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or an EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU), the maximum fee is 100 euros. The fee for obtaining a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) ranges from 113 to 147 euros.
In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a reduction or even a full exemption from these fees. For example, spouses and children of German citizens are exempt from visa fees. If you receive a publicly funded scholarship during your stay in Germany, you are also exempt from visa fees. For more detailed information, please contact the German embassy abroad (for visa fees) or the local immigration office (for residence permit or permanent residence permit fees) responsible for your case. The Federal Foreign Office provides an overview of visa fees.