Welcome
Self employed freelancers including artists
Freelancers such as artists (painters, musicians or writers) or in other liberal professions may apply for a residence permit for freelance work. This visa/ residence permit category requires you to have the means or the income to fund your project and to support yourself.
EU citizens including freelancing performing artists do not require visas or residence permits if their activities are not classed as economic activities/ work, for details click
This exception includes artists performing in the context of festivals or music and cultural events (Musik- und Kulturtage). The exception also applies to individuals posted/ seconded by a non-German employer in the context of guest performances or foreign film and television productions. Any visa-free stay in Germany may not exceed 90 days within 180 days and additionally the cumulative days of performances (including rehearsals) may not exceed 90 days within one year. Freelance fashion models, freelance travel/ tour guides and freelance interpreters also do not require visas within the timeframes indicated above. These privileges also apply to all other nationals that do not require visas for visits not exceeding 90 days.
In all other cases a visa or residence permit authorising freelance work is required.
Processing period
The processing period may take 2-3 months. During the processing period you cannot inquire about the status of your application. Upon expiry of the processing period only the applicant, his/her legal representative or persons holding an authorization letter from the applicant may inquire about the status of the visas.
Fees
The fee is 75,00 €, payable in QAR cash or by international credit card in Euro (Mastercard, Visa). Euro cash, checks or debit cards are not accepted. The application form can be downloaded for free.
Necessary documents
Please bring the following documents in the mentioned order to your appointment at the Embassy. Additional documents may in some cases be requested. Documents sent in advance will not be archived.
Complete the online application form (application forms are required for each applicant separately; all children require separate forms).
Bring two signed copies of the form including the barcodes to your appointment.
A valid passport signed by the holder, issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least one year is necessary. The passport needs to have at least 2 subsequent blank pages. Please bring 2 photocopy of the passport biodata page to your appointment.
2 fully biometric passport photo, 35 x 45 mm, no older than three months. Digitally altered passport photos cannot be accepted. Please ensure that your photo adheres to German biometric requirements and is taken in front of a white/bright background.
Bring your valid Qatar residence permit (QID) and 2 photocopy to your appointment.
outlining the project/ business idea and the projected revenue (if any) for the first year
2x sets of copies
to support yourself and family (if applicable) during your stay in case no sufficient revenue can be generated.
Current bank statements of the past 6 month and saving account statemements of the past 6 month, stamped and signed by the issuing bank
2 x copies
Book an appointment
Please use our online appointment booking system. Booking via telephone or email is not possible. At the appointment, you will submit all required documents and pay the visa processing fee. You will be interviewed with regard to your planned stay in Germany and your biometric data (passport photograph and fingerprints) will be collected.