Declaration of commitment; Submission

You have the right to invite a foreign national requiring a visa for entering Germany for a visit. If that foreign national is unable to prove, however, that he or she is able to personally finance his or her stay in Germany, it is possible to establish the required evidence of assured subsistence required for the issuance or renewal of a visa or residence title by presenting a declaration of commitment.

Description

Your are a German or foreign national with the right of residence (refer to the various reference titles under "Related Issues") and wish to invite a foreign guest needing a visa to enter Germany for a visit.

Unless your guest is able to prove to the German diplomatic representation (see "Schengen Visa; Issuing and Renewal" and "National Visa; Issuing and Renewal") that his or her visit to Germany will be adequately financially covered (i.e. subsistence, health insurance coverage), the diplomatic representation will demand a so-called declaration of commitment. By this declaration of commitment, you in your capacity as the host commit to accommodate the foreign guest, to finance the foreign guest's subsistence for the duration of his or her visit, and to ensure adequate health insurance coverage. In summary: You commit to the payment of all costs which may be incurred for the public authorities.

However, proof of assured means of subsistence through presentation of a declaration of commitment is not applicable solely for visits, but also for other purposes of stay such as temporary stays for the purpose of job search.

To submit a declaration of commitment, you in your capacity as the donor of the declaration of commitment need to appear personally at the Aliens Department and complete the pre-printed form available there. The Aliens Department will then check whether or not you are financially capable of meeting the commitment made (credit rating) and will certify your signature. Please forward the original declaration of commitment to your guest who will need to present this document to the diplomatic representation.

Prerequisites

Adequate credit rating of the inviting party.

Required documents

Required document, Bavaria-wide: If necessary, you may be required to produce additional documents
The documents to be presented may vary greatly. Please find out more details from your competent Aliens Department (Ausländerbehörde). As a general rule, the documents listed above will be required (among others).
Required document, Bavaria-wide: Personalausweis oder Reisepass des Verpflichtungsgebers
Required document, Bavaria-wide: Einkommensnachweise des Verpflichtungsgebers
Required document, Bavaria-wide: ggf. weitere Unterlagen