Declaration of commitment for a visitor visa

Even if you only want to visit family or friends for a short time: In order to obtain a visitor's visa for Germany, third-country nationals usually have to prove that they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. If someone cannot prove that they have enough money themselves, a person living in Germany can vouch for the visitor. This can be a relative, acquaintance or even a company or institution that can provide proof of sufficient funds. This guarantee is called a "declaration of commitment". Visitors can then present this letter of guarantee to the embassy as proof of funding when they apply for their visa.

Here you can find out whether and how you can submit a letter of guarantee for a visitor visa. You can find out everything about the visitor visa itself in our chapter"Visitor visa". You can find out more about declarations of commitment for longer-term stays in our chapter "Declaration of commitment for a national visa".

What do I need to know?

What is a declaration of commitment?

If someone wants a visa for Germany, they must prove that they can pay the costs of their trip and stay in Germany. If someone cannot pay the costs themselves, a third person can submit a so-called "declaration of commitment". This person undertakes to cover the costs for the visitor in an emergency. This also includes the costs of medical treatment or deportation.

So if, for example, friends or family members of yours would like to apply for a visa for Germany but cannot prove that they can pay the costs of the trip and their stay themselves, you can submit a declaration of commitment for them.

What requirements must I meet in order to submit a formal obligation for someone?

You must meet the following requirements in order to be allowed to submit a formal obligation:

You are registered in Germany.
You have German citizenship, citizenship of an EU country, citizenship of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway or a valid residence permit or settlement permit for Germany. Please note: Your residence permit must be valid for longer than your visitors want to stay in Germany. Important: People with a temporary residence permit, tolerated stay permit or fictitious certificate cannot submit a declaration of commitment.
They have sufficient income or savings and can provide proof of this. You can find out more about this in the section "How can I prove that I have enough money?" and "How much money do I need to have to submit a formal obligation?".

How can I prove that I have enough money to submit a formal obligation?

The documents that can be used as proof of financial means depend on your professional status.

I am an employee:Your last three payslips. If you do not receive a payslip every month: Bring your last payslip and your bank statements for the last three months.
I am a pensioner:The notification of your old-age pension.
I receive unemployment benefit I:The notification of the amount of your unemployment benefitPlease note: If you receive citizen's allowance or money from the social welfare office, you cannot submit a declaration of commitment.
I am self-employed or self-employed:
- Your last tax assessment or
- A certificate from a tax consultant or accountant about your current net income for the last three months
- Proof of the amount of your health insurance contributions if you are privately insured or proof of your membership of the statutory health insurance scheme
I have no regular income but have a savings balance:Proof of the amount of your savings balance. Important: You must bring the original proof with you. Only savings accounts or fixed-term deposit accounts with German banks will be considered. No accounts with foreign banks and no shares, funds, etc.

How much money do I need to have to submit a declaration of commitment?

How much income or savings you need depends on who and how many people you want to invite. It also depends on whether you are married and/or have children.

If you are unmarried and have no children, you should expect the following amounts:

For one person of legal age, you need at least an income of €1,265 net per month or a savings balance of at least €15,180. For each additional adult you wish to invite, the required net income increases by € 333 per month or the required savings balance by € 4,000.
For one adult + 1 child, you need a minimum net income of €1,502 per month or a savings balance of at least €18,030. For each additional child you wish to invite, the required net income increases by €237 per month or the required savings balance by €2,850.
If you only want to invite one minor, you need a minimum net income of €1,169 per month or a savings balance of at least €14,030.

Please note: If you have children or a spouse with no income of their own, the minimum income or minimum savings balance you need increases. Ask the Foreigners' Registration Office about the minimum income or minimum savings balance for your case.

How long is a declaration of commitment valid for?

A declaration of commitment can be used for six months as proof of financial means when applying for a visa. There should therefore be no more than six months between submitting the declaration of commitment and the visa being issued.

The obligation to pay all costs continues until the person for whom you have given a declaration of commitment leaves the Federal Republic of Germany or is granted a residence permit for another purpose. Your obligation ends after 5 years at the latest. Until this time, you must bear all costs for the person in an emergency or pay them back if the state incurs costs.

Important: Once the visa has been issued, you can no longer withdraw your declaration of commitment.

What do I commit myself to with a declaration of commitment?

With a declaration of commitment, you undertake to cover all costs that the German state may incur as a result of the person for whom you are submitting the declaration of commitment. This includes

The costs of living (food, clothing, etc.)
The costs of accommodation
The costs of medical care
The costs of any deportation

If the state incurs costs, you must repay these costs.

Where can I submit the declaration of commitment?

You can only submit a declaration of commitment at the Foreigners' Registration Office at your place of residence in Germany. You must appear in person and bring your documents with you. You can find the address of the foreigners authority at your place of residence at bamf.de.

You need an appointment. You can usually book this on the website of the foreigners authority. If this is not possible, call them and ask for an appointment. If you are submitting several declarations of commitment, you will usually need several appointments. Only if you want to submit declarations of commitment for married couples or parents with underage children is one appointment sufficient.

Submitting a declaration of commitment costs 29 euros.

What documents do I need?

You must bring the following documents with you to your appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office:

A completed "Information on the declaration of commitment" form for each person for whom you wish to submit a declaration of commitment. Exception: One form is sufficient for married couples or parents with underage unmarried children.
A completed form "Instruction on the storage and use of application data in the VIS".
An unsigned form "Additional declaration to the declaration of commitment".
Proof of your income or savings.
Your identity card or residence permit and passport.
A copy of the passport of the person for whom you wish to submit a formal obligation.

Please note: The foreigners authority may ask you for further documents.

What do I do after the appointment at the immigration office?

If all your documents are in order, the Foreigners' Registration Office will issue the declaration of commitment directly during your appointment. You will be given the original. You must send it to the person who wants to enter Germany. The person then hands it in with all the other documents to the German embassy. It is up to the embassy to decide whether the person actually receives a visa.

Important

Intentionally providing false or incomplete information when submitting a declaration of commitment is a punishable offense. You can be punished with a fine or a prison sentence.

Source: handbookgermany.de