The journey to Germany often doesn't start at the airport, but with a mountain of paperwork. Whether for family reunification (spouse visa) or a work visa: The procedures at the German Embassy or Consulate are strict.
Many applicants make one huge mistake: They gather all the papers but forget the most important one, which takes the longest to get – the language proof (A1 Certificate).
Here, we explain the process simply and clearly.
Step 1: The Embassy Appointment
Before you can submit anything, you need an appointment at the German diplomatic mission (Embassy or Consulate) in your home country. In many countries, this is handled by service providers like iDATA or VFS Global.
Important: Waiting times for an appointment can be very long depending on the country (sometimes months!). Book your appointment as early as possible.
Step 2: Gathering Documents (Checklist)
You need to prepare a folder of documents for your appointment. This usually includes:
- Valid passport
- Application forms (filled out)
- Biometric passport photos
- Marriage certificate or employment contract (if applicable)
- Health insurance
- Proof of German language skills (usually A1 level)
Step 3: The "A1 Certificate" Hurdle
For the spouse visa (Ehegattennachzug), the A1 certificate is almost always mandatory. The Embassy wants to see that you can communicate in Germany in at least a basic way.
The Most Common Mistake:
Many people think: "I'll learn German once I get the visa."
Wrong. You usually have to present the certificate (from Goethe, Telc, or ÖSD) at the appointment. If it's missing, your application is often not even processed or outright rejected.
The Solution: You must learn German while you are waiting for your embassy appointment. Do not waste any time here!
Step 4: Submission & Waiting
At the appointment, you hand in everything. Sometimes there is a short interview in German (to check if your A1 certificate is genuine and if you actually understand basic things). After that, it's a waiting game until the visa is stamped into your passport.
How V-IZ Helps You with the Visa
We cannot make the officials at the embassy work faster. But we can ensure that you are not the reason for the delay.
With our video courses, you can prepare specifically and quickly for the A1 exam so that you have the certificate in hand on time.
- Learn flexibly alongside your job or visa prep.
- Prepare exactly for the exam parts (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
- Walk into the embassy interview with confidence.
Make sure your visa doesn't fail because of the language course:
Start A1 now (Module A1.1):
➡️ Click here and start immediately
All-in-One Package (A1 Complete):
➡️ The complete A1 package for your visa
Note: Visa regulations can change. Please always check the current leaflets on the official website of the German Embassy in your country.
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