If you are already in possession of a valid German national residence permit and this was lost, stolen or expired during your stay in Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau or Cabo Verde, you can apply for a visa to re-enter Germany.

The visa process

1. Contact the embassy: Contact the embassy as soon as possible using the contact form.
2. Contact the Aliens' Authority: Contact your local Aliens' Authority and inform them that your residence permit has been lost, stolen or has expired. You may be able to apply for prior authorisation (“Vorabzustimmung”) there. You can find more information on prior authorisation here.
3. Personal appearance: All applicants must appear in person at the embassy in Dakar.
4. Processing of the application: The embassy will process your application. Information on the duration of the visa process can be found here.
5. Collection

Please do not send any documents to the embassy in advance. The applicant must bring all documents with him/her when submitting the application.

If you are asked to submit additional documents when submitting your application or afterwards by e-mail, always quote the file reference (five-digit number). This can be found on the receipt under the barcode.

Prior authorisation (“Vorabzustimmung”) from the Aliens' Authority

For a re-entry visa, the embassy must obtain the approval of the Aliens' Authority in Germany. There are two options for this:

1. Obtain prior authorisation from the Aliens' Authority and then apply for the re-entry visa. Many Aliens' Authorities have a special contact option for emergencies.
2. You apply for a re-entry visa without prior authorisation.

Prior authorisation shortens the visa procedure considerably.

​​​​​​​Required documents

All documents listed below must be submitted in the original and with a good quality photocopy.

• A fully completed application form signed by the applicant (application forms are free of charge).
  • You can fill out the application form online in VIDEX and print it out or download it here, print it out and fill it out by hand.
  • Note: Applications from minors under the age of 18 must be signed by all persons with parental authority.
• 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)

• 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 lost, stolen or expired German residence permit
• ID card
• Copy of old passports with (already expired) German visas and copy of entry and exit stamps, if applicable
• Report of loss or theft to the police
• If you have been abroad for longer than six months: written authorisation from the Aliens' Authority regarding your stay abroad
• If available, prior authorisation from the Aliens' Authority

Note: The embassy reserves the right to request additional documents

Duration

The embassy will process your application for a re-entry visa as quickly as possible. However, the processing time depends on whether or not you have submitted a prior authorisation from the Aliens' Authority.

Processing time with prior authorisation

Processing is often possible within a few working days. We will contact you immediately as soon as a decision has been made.

Processing time without prior authorisation

The embassy will send your application electronically to the local Aliens' Authority on the day you submit your application. The Aliens' Authority examines your case and then notifies the embassy electronically of its approval or rejection.
The processing time depends heavily on the capacity utilisation of the Aliens' Authority in Germany and can therefore take several weeks!
Please do not send any enquiries about the processing time to the embassy, but contact the responsible Aliens' Authority in Germany directly.

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!

Further information

Information on visa processing can only be provided by embassy staff, not by security personnel or third parties. The Embassy does not work with agents, travel agencies or middlemen. Persons who claim to do so are usually acting fraudulently. Information from third parties is often incorrect. Please refer to the official information on the embassy website.

Languages spoken at the Counter

At the counter, we speak 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

All documents that are not in German, French or English must be submitted together with an officially certified translation.

Retention of certain documents

Original documents will be returned after processing has been completed if you submitted a copy when you submitted your application. Application forms and passport photos will be retained by the embassy.

Submitting an application does not guarantee a visa

A visa appointment and complete application documents do not guarantee that a visa will be issued.

Refusal / “Remonstration”

If a visa is refused, you or a third party authorised by you in writing have the option of requesting a reconsideration of the application (“Remonstration”) in writing within 4 weeks, stating the reference number and a postal address suitable for delivery. Please enclose further documents. The processing time for remonstrations is at least 4 weeks, often several months.

Collection​​​​​​​

As soon as the embassy has made a decision on your visa application, you will be contacted by phone/SMS or email.
You can then collect your passport and documents at the following times:

Check your visa sticker!

When you collect your passport, check that the visa sticker is correct and complete. Any errors must be reported immediately.
Your visa contains your full name, your passport number and your photo. The validity period of the visa and the number of authorised days of stay are stated.
As a rule, the visa is initially issued for 90 days. After entering the country, you should immediately make an appointment with your local Aliens' Authority. You must then apply for a residence permit at the Aliens' Authority.

Entering the country

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.

The border authorities may refuse entry to visa holders even if they are in possession of a valid visa.

Data protection in the national visa procedure

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.