Travelling with a cultural visa

Cultural visa – What is it?

For travel for non-commercial reasons in the fields of culture, sport and science, some countries offer the option of applying for a so-called cultural visa. This special type of visa is comparable to the humanitarian visa. The terms are often used interchangeably. There are forms of cultural visas for countries such as Algeria, China or Russia, for example, where there are numerous opportunities for exchange programs thanks to their multi-layered traditions. The cultural visa is suitable for people visiting a trade fair or congress and for participants in international sports, music or art competitions. Under certain circumstances, research stays, short-term guest lectureships at foreign universities or internships in non-profit organizations also fall into this visa category. Please bear in mind when planning your trip: The travel intentions that entitle you to apply for a cultural visa vary depending on the entry and visa regulations of the respective destination country. In most cases, the main focus is on cultural exchange between travelers and hosts. However, the cultural visa not only gives you the opportunity to attend pre-arranged appointments abroad, but also entitles you to go on tourist tours.

What proof is required for the cultural dialog visa?

As with other types of visa, the requirements to be met when applying for a cultural visa vary from country to country. As a rule, the following documents must be submitted to the responsible consulate in Germany:

• Passport (min. Valid for 6 months, blank pages for visa entries)
• Completed application form
• Current passport photo (1-2)
• Official invitation from the host country
• Proof of financing for the duration of the stay
• Proof of foreign insurance
• For foreign citizens residing in Germany: residence permit

The invitation letter, also known as a visa support letter, is sent to visitors by a museum, a cultural office, a university, an event organizer, a research institution or another non-commercial institution, depending on the travel intention. The host usually determines how long a visa is valid by specifying the time and information on the intention to visit in the Visa Support Letter. In China, for example, the validity of the cultural visa is usually limited to 30 days. However, if the invitation letter explains why a stay requires more time, the Chinese embassy will also issue a cultural visa for a longer period or multiple visits.