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Visa for Germany

  1. Which visa do I need?
  2. Where do I apply for my visa?
  3. Where can I find out more about the visa procedure?
  4. How do I make an appointment?
  5. Where can I find information on data protection in the visa procedure?
  6. What documents do I need?
  7. Schengen visas
  8. National visas
  9. Digital registration of entry into the Schengen area (EES)

Which visa do I need?

Screenshot of the Visa Navigator's website
Start page of the Visa Navigator © Federal Foreign Office

Citizens of Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau need a visa to enter Germany.
and Guinea-Bissau require a visa.
The type of visa depends on the duration of your planned stay. If you only want to for a short time, e.g. as a tourist? Or are you planning a longer longer stay, e.g. for studies?
Finding the right visa quickly: With the help of the VISA-NAVIGATOR you can find out which visa is suitable for you.

Where do I apply for my visa?

The office responsible for your visa application depends on your place of residence and the visa category.

You can find more information about the office responsible for you here.

Where can I find out more about the visa procedure?

You can find out more about the visa procedure on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. You can also find information on the Schengen visa procedure and the national visa procedure on the website of the Embassy in Dakar.

How do I make an appointment?

To apply for a visa at the Embassy in Dakar, an appointment is mandatory. Appointments are issued exclusively online — not by email or by telephone.

Due to the high demand for Schengen visa appointments, appointment allocation has been handled via a waiting list since the end of 2025, replacing the former direct booking system. Appointments are allocated according to the order of registration on the waiting list.

Registration on the waiting list is free of charge.

You can book an appointment at the Embassy Dakar here: Online booking of an application appointment

Please ensure that you register for the correct visa category. Applicants who have booked the wrong visa category will be turned away.

Family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

The law suspending family reunification with persons granted subsidiary protection entered into force on July 24, 2025. Upon entry into force of this law, family reunification with persons granted subsidiary protection status will not be granted until July 23, 2027. Further information can be found here.

Where can I find information on data protection in the visa procedure?

Information on how your personal data is processed in the visa procedure can be found here.

What documents do I need?

This depends on the visa category you require. You can find out more on the following pages:

30.01.2026 Page

Schengen visas

For a short term stay (up to 90 days) you can apply for a Schengen visa at the German Embassy in Dakar.

Ein Antrag auf Erteilung eines Schengen-Visums liegt mit einem Bleistift auf einem Tisch vor einer EU-Flagge.
30.01.2026 Page

National visas

For a long-term stay (over 90 days) you can apply for a national visa at the German Embassy in Dakar.

Visumetikett

Digital registration of entry into the Schengen area (EES)

A new IT system for the digital registration of entries and exits into and from the Schengen area (EES = Entry/Exit System) will be introduced in all EU member states (except Cyprus and Ireland), as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, from 12 October 2025.

Germany will introduce the EES gradually, first at Düsseldorf Airport, then at Frankfurt Airport and later at other airports and at seaports.

The system applies to people who want to enter the Schengen area for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180 day period). It does not apply to nationals of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, among others. Travellers themselves do not need to do anything further. The change only affects proceedings at the border control points:

  • when travellers cross the border, their photo (face) and fingerprints will be verified.
  • In future, passports will no longer be stamped. Entries and exits will be recorded digitally in compliance with European data protection law.
  • At selected airports, travellers will find self-service systems to speed up the process.

Further information can be found on the websites of the European Union and the Federal Police.

Entry-/Exit System
Overview "Consular Services"
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