Declaration of Commitment for a Visitor Visa

To obtain a visitor visa for Germany, third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) usually have to prove that they have enough money to support themselves during their stay, even if they only want to visit family or friends for a short time. But if someone cannot prove they have enough money themselves, someone living in Germany can vouch for the visitor(s). This can be a relative or acquaintance - or a company or institution in Germany that can prove they have enough money. Such a guarantee is known as a "Verpflichtungserklärung" or "declaration of commitment", and visitor(s) can present it to the embassy as proof of funding when they apply for their visa(s).

Here you can learn whether and how you can submit a declaration of commitment for a visitor visa. You can find all the other details about visitor visas in our chapter "Visitor Visa". And, you can learn more about the declaration of commitment for long-term stays in our chapter "Declaration of commitment for a national visa".

What do I need to know?

To visit Germany, one often has to prove that they can pay for their trip and stay in Germany. When someone cannot do so, a third person can make a so-called "declaration of commitment" for them. With such a declaration, the third person undertakes to bear the costs for the visitor(s) in an emergency, including costs of medical treatment or possible deportation.

If, for instance, friends or family members of yours want to apply for a visa for Germany but cannot prove that they can pay the expenses for the trip and their stay, you can submit a declaration of commitment for them.

To be able to submit a declaration of commitment, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be registered in Germany.
• You must have German citizenship, or the citizenship of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or a valid residence permit or permanent residence permit in Germany. Please note: Your residence permit must be valid for longer than your visitor's stay in Germany. Important: People with a residence permit, tolerated stay permit ("Duldung") or a so-called "Fiktionsbescheinigung" cannot submit a declaration of commitment.
• You must have enough income or savings and be able to prove it. You can find out more about in the section "How can I prove that I have enough money?" and "How much money do I need to have to declare my commitment for a visitor?".

The documents you can submit as proof of funding depend on your employment status:

I am an employee:

Your last three payslips. In case you don't receive a payslip every month, hand in your latest payslip and your bank statements from the previous three months.

I am retired:

Certificate of your retirement pension

I receive unemployment benefit I:

Certificate of your unemployment benefits

Please note: You cannot submit a declaration of commitment if you receive "Bürgergeld" or financial aid from the Social Welfare Office.

I am self-employed/freelancer:

• Your last tax assessment or
• A certificate from a tax advisor or auditor stating your current net income of the last three months
• Proof of the amount of your health insurance contributions if you are privately insured or proof of your membership in a statutory health insurance scheme

I do not have a regular income, but I have savings:

Proof of the amount of your savings. Important: You must hand in the original document. Only savings accounts or time deposit accounts at German banks are accepted, i.e., accounts at foreign banks, stocks, funds, etc., are not recognised as proof.