First of all I would like to introduce myself. My name is Uli Kuhler, I arrived in Uzbekistan in August 2003. Since then I have been working as an consular officer in the passport and visa section of the German Embassy. Before Tashkent I worked four years in Sibiu, Romania. I joined the German Ministry of Foreign affairs in 1991. I would like to thank AMCHAM Uzbekistan for allowing me the opportunity to provide people with some information about the Shengen treaty, our Shengen partners in Tashkent and the application requirements to be filled in order to obtain a Shengen or National visa from the German Embassy in Tashkent.

About the volume of the Visa business of the Embassy: The passport and visa section of the German Embassy in Tashkent issues between 6000 to 7000 visas per year, the monthly average is between 500-650 visas each month. These visas are either Shengen visas or National visas.

Q.: What are the different types of visa used for entry to Germany?
A. You can enter Germany either with a Shengen visa or a German National visa.

Q.: What is the Shengen Agreement?
A. On 14th of June 1985 the Shengen Treaty, named after a small town in the Netherlands, entered into force. The countries that initially signed the treaty in 1985 were Germany, France, Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. Since then Italy, Spain and Portugal, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Finnland, Sweden, Iceland and Norway have joined the Shengen Treaty. The main goals of this treaty were the reduction and finally abolition of border controls between its member countries and the facilitation of travel within the Schcngcn States.

Q.: How docs the Shengcn visa differ from other types of visa? What right docs it give and what are the restrictions or obligations?
A. As a result of the Shengen Treaty the border controls between the member states have been abolished. In addition a common visa procedure has been introduced. This means that all the member states allowed to issue a Shengen visa follow the same legal requirements: the socalled "Common Consular Instruction". There are only two other Embassies of Shcngcn Member States in Tashkent yet: the French Embassy and the Italian Embassies. The Common Consular Instruction requires regular meetings of all the member states. That means that every two months my French and Italian counterparts and I get together to discuss recent developments and to harmonize our practices. On the basis of the Common Consular Instruction it is even possible that a Shengen member state can issue a visa on behalf of another Shengen member state that is not accredited in the same country. These practice is quite common in Uzbekistan. For example: the German Embassy often issues visas on behalf of Finland, Austria, Spain and Sweden. The French Embassy issues visas not only for France, but also for the Benelux-States, Portugal and Iceland (!). Shengen visa are usually issued for business or private reasons. With a Shcngcn visa you are allowed to travel freely within the Shengen area as soon as you enter a Shengen member state. For example, somebody wants to visit his/her relatives in Germany. During the allowed period of their stay it is possible for her/him lo travel to Paris, Rome or Madrid etc. too. Another example: somebody has to go to France and then to Berlin for business reasons, could then apply at the French Embassy for a Shengen visa. With this visa s/he can enter France and then travel on to Berlin. Shengen visas generally do not entitle somebody to take up employment or to establish a permanent residence in one of the member states. The maximum period of stay are 90 days within half a year, counting from the date of the first entry into the Shengen area.

Q.: What is a National visa? What right does it give and what are the restrictions or obligations?
A. If somebody wants to take up employment in Germany or to intends to stay longer than three months in Germany than this person needs to apply for a national visa. For example: to work  as an  Au-Pair in Germany, in cases of family integration, to marry or to study in Germany. Usually a National visa gives somebody the right to take up employment in Germany and in addition the right to stay for a longer period of time. In these cases, the immigration authorities in Germany have to be involved in the visa process. Thus, it takes up to 6-8 weeks before a national visa can be issued.

Q.:  What documents must the applicant submit when applying for a visa?
A. Due to the different kinds of visa I recommend strongly that  every applicant take a look at our web side (www.taschkent.diplo.de). There you find all necessary information.

Q.: What is the content and form of an invitation required for a Shengen visa?
A. Two kinds of visas have to be considered:
a) Visa for Business purposes: you need an original invitation from Germany, the signature of the person has to be certified by a notary and a copy of the registration of the company in  the trade register.  Usually the invitation contains a confirmation that all costs during the stay in Germany will be covered and if health insurance will be necessary or not.
b) Visa for private purposes: you need the official invitation from Germany, the so-called "Verpflichtungserk/drung". This invitation can be obtained at the local alien authorities in Germany Upon application the original invitation has to be presented.

Q.: Where and when does the applicant go to apply for a visa?
A. The Passport and Visa Section of the German Embassy is open from Monday to Friday every week, from 8 a.m. to 11 .a.m. The address is Sharaf Rashidow Street, 15, Tashkent.

Q.: How long does the application process take? i.e. how long must the applicant wait for decision?
A. The process for a Shengen visa takes two working days. National visas need longer, the application process can take up from 6 to 12 weeks.