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Visa for voluntary service in Germany
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dakar processes all applications for a national visa from nationals who require a visa and have their habitual residence in Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde. Proof of habitual residence is required.
The visa process
- Apply online in the Consular Services Portal.
- Personal Appearance: All applicants must appear in person at the embassy.
- Processing of the application: The embassy will process your application. Information on the duration of the visa procedure can be found here.
- Collection
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Important information on appointment registration: Please note that the Embassy’s appointment waiting list has been closed on 29th April 2026. New appointment registrations are therefore no longer possible. You can now register online for your visa application in the Consular Services Portal. As soon as the competent mission abroad is able to review your application, you will receive a notification. The portal will also inform you which documents are required for your application. However, applications in the portal will only be reviewed once the Embassy’s waiting list has been fully processed. If you are already registered on the Embassy’s waiting list, please do not register again in the portal. This may lead to delays. |
Submission of documents: If you are requested to submit additional documents, always state the reference number (five-digit number) which can be found under the barcode on your fee receipt.
Required documents
All listed documents must be submitted in the original as well as a good quality photocopy.
The Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents.
- A fully completed application form signed by the applicant (application forms are free of charge).
- Underage travellers:
- Minors require written consent from all the persons with custody. In addition, copies of the passports of all persons with custody must be submitted
- Underage Gambian nationals require a “Travel Clearance”. This is issued by the Gambian police.
The following are required: a copy of the family register or birth certificate and copies of both parents' identity documents
- a current biometric passport photo with a white background (do not attach to the application form)
- Birth certificate of the applicant and, if applicable, marriage certificate and birth certificates of the children
- Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months after expiry of the visa) as well as a copy of the photo page and a copy of all visas in this passport
- Copy of old passports with (already expired) German visas and copy of entry and exit stamps, if applicable
- ID card
- Only for applicants without Senegalese, Gambian, or Guinea-Bissau nationality who reside in Senegal: The Embassy accepts only the following documents as proof of habitual residence: Récépissé de dépôt or Carte d’étranger. These documents must be issued by the Senegalese authorities. The documents must be valid for at least three months after the expiry of the requested visa validity. Documents issued by other states (e.g., by a diplomatic mission of your country of origin) are not accepted.
- The applicant must meet a certain age limit:
- European Voluntary Service: between 18 and 30 years of age
- Youth Voluntary Service (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr FSJ or Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr FÖJ): up to the age of 27
- South-North component in the weltwärts joint organisation: up to the age of 29
- Signed contract
- Letter of invitation from the hosting organisation with a brief description of the volunteer's activities
- Language skills:
- A1 certificate (more information on language test providers and recognised language certificates can be found here; a FAQ on language certificates can be found here) or
- Certificate from the hosting organisation that language skills are not required or
- Certificate from the hosting organisation that a language course will be completed in Germany
- Proof of health insurance for the entire stay
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation explaining why you want to do voluntary service and what your plans are after your voluntary service
- Proof of education (school reports, diplomas, etc.)
- Proof of the economic situation in the home country
Fees
The processing fee is FCFA 50,000 and must be paid when the application is submitted.
If the application is rejected or withdrawn, the fee will not be refunded!
Duration
The processing time for your visa application is usually 2 to 3 weeks after all documents have been submitted to the embassy.
You should therefore submit your visa application well in advance!
Further information
• Official information can only be provided by the visa section of the German Embassy Dakar. The Embassy does not work with agents, travel agencies or other third-party providers.
• Languages spoken at the counter: German, French, English and Wolof. If the applicant does not speak any of these four languages, it is advisable to bring a third person for interpretation.
• Translation of documents: Documents not in German, French or English must be submitted with an officially certified translation.
Original documents will be returned after processing. Application forms and passport photos will be retained by the embassy.
A visa appointment and complete documents do not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
Collection
You will be notified once a decision has been made.
You can then collect your passport and documents at the following times:
• Embassy Dakar: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 13:30.
• Embassy Banjul: Additional waiting time approximately two weeks
Check your visa upon collection. When collecting your passport, you should check the visa sticker for accuracy and completeness. Any errors must be reported immediately.
Entry
Please carry all original documents submitted in the visa procedure in your hand luggage when travelling. The border authorities may require you to present these documents again at immigration control. These documents must also be presented again when applying for a residence permit at the Aliens' Authority.
Border authorities may refuse entry even if a valid visa is held.
Data protection
Your personal data is processed and stored in the visa procedure. You can find information on this on our page on data protection in the visa procedure.
