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When does the Germany visa start?
1. Start Date of Validity on the Visa Itself
Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C):
The visa is valid from the “Valid From” date printed on the sticker. You can enter Germany (or any Schengen country) on or after that date, not before.
Long-Stay National Visa (Type D):
This typically allows you to enter Germany from the date printed on the visa and may be tied to appointments (e.g. residence registration or student enrollment). It's often valid for 90 days initially, during which you must apply for a residence permit in Germany.
2. When the Visa Processing Starts
If you're asking when the application processing starts, it begins:
- On the day of your visa appointment or document submission, whichever is applicable.
- For Schengen visas, you can apply up to 6 months in advance (or 9 months for seafarers), and no later than 15 days before travel.