Persons wishing to enter the Federal Republic of Germany in order to commence duties at a diplomatic mission or career consular post require a visa for their first entry, unless exemption from the visa requirement has been agreed on the basis of reciprocity.

The relevant German mission abroad will, if required, issue a category D visa, which is normally valid for three months. This visa documents the person’s special status for border and customs officials from the time of first entry.

Application procedure

It is in principle expected that all persons will have a diplomatic passport or an official passport.

The Note Verbale accompanying the visa application should include the following information:

• surname and forename(s) (as stated in travel document), date and place of birth
• rank and function in the diplomatic mission or career consular post
• name, rank and date of birth of the predecessor or, should there be no predecessor: description of the new post (brief outline of the envisaged functions)
• expected duration of official stay in Germany
• expected date of entry and of commencement of duty

• surname and forename(s) (as stated in travel document), date and place of birth and relationship to the member of the mission of all persons permanently belonging to their household who are to enter Germany with them