The Schengen visa (also called tourist visa or Category C visa)1 lets you visit Germany and the Schengen area. They are valid for up to 90 days.
With a Schengen visa, you can:
- Visit Germany for up to 90 days
- Visit other countries in the Schengen area
With a Schengen visa, you can’t:
- Work or study in Germany4
- Convert your Schengen visa to a residence permit (with exceptions)2
- Extend your visa to stay longer (with rare exceptions)3
Who needs a visa? – Federal Foreign Office