Traveling with the group visa

Group visa - What is it?

You don't like traveling alone, but prefer to travel with a group? A group visa offers you the opportunity to save time and money. Together with your friends, you can explore the nature, cities and sights of foreign countries and take part in group tours. Or you can join a community with a tour operator and meet new people. When groups apply for a travel permit, the relevant authorities in some countries, such as Belarus, issue a single tourist visa for all travelers. The group members receive a note or stamp in their passport. However, group visas are not only available for tourists, but also for school, music or work groups.

What are the requirements for a joint visa?

The number of people required to obtain a visa for a group varies depending on the destination country. For China, for example, there is a requirement of at least 10 travelers, while the consulates of Belarus already speak of a travel group from five people. The tour as a group with a visa requires that all travelers choose the same entry and exit dates and board the plane, bus or ship together. Please note that in some countries (e.g. China), entering or leaving the country with a group visa can be problematic if a group member falls ill, cancels the trip, leaves early or is unable to return on the specified date. In order to apply for a visa, all members of the group generally require the documents listed below. These must be submitted to the relevant consulate of the country of travel in Germany as part of the application process:

• valid passport
• completed application form
• current passport photo
• international health insurance
• registration confirmation for non-EU citizens

In addition, tourist groups must submit a travel confirmation from the organizer with detailed information on the flight, travel time, means of transport used and accommodation as well as a complete list of names with the dates of birth and passport numbers of the group members. Groups that are not entering the country for purely tourist reasons are - like applicants for other types of visa - obliged to submit an official invitation from a host in the destination country.

How long is the visa valid for?

The maximum period of validity of the visa is essentially the same as for the tourist visa for single travelers. It varies depending on the destination selected. In most cases, a tourist stay is limited to 30 days. However, there are exceptions in some countries. In China, for example, you can extend a visa to 90 days under certain conditions, provided you are staying in the country. When applying for a visa, you must specify whether you wish to travel once or several times.

Residence permits for groups at Buch-Dein-Visum

Buch-Dein-Visum has a rule of thumb: the larger the group, the less each individual pays for the entry permit. On the one hand, we offer the group visas described above, which are regularly available at consulates. On the other hand, you have the option to make a group booking with us together with other travelers. In this case, it does not matter if you will be separated in the destination country. Although all travelers will get their own visa, they will get a discount on the order. If you have any questions about group visas, please contact our visa service.