--- title: When a C-Visa is sufficient and when a D-visa is required? description: Whoever applies for a visa for Germany, has to take a decision if he is looking for a C- or a D-visa. A C-Visa is a Schengen visa, while a D-visa a national visa. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/c-visa_for_schengen_and_d-visa_for_germany#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![DwyerLegal\_logo.png\]](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DwyerLegal_logo.png?height=42&name=DwyerLegal_logo.png) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://dwyer-legal-4951429.hs-sites.com/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://dwyer-legal-4951429.hs-sites.com/blog) - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/kb-tickets/new) - Contact us Contact us Dwyer Legal Citizenship Knowledge Base - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Dwyer Legal Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Visa and Work Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en) 3. [Entry visas (Schengen and National Visas)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#entry-visas-schengen-and-national-visas) # When a C-Visa is sufficient and when a D-visa is required? ## Whoever applies for a visa for Germany, has to take a decision if he is looking for a C- or a D-visa. A C-Visa is a Schengen visa, while a D-visa a national visa. As a general rule, a Schengen or C-Visa is the correct choice for the applicant who wants to stay in Germany for a short while and if he or she has no prodictive work intentions. On the contrary, a national or D-visa is required, if the applicant chooses Germany as his new country of residence and he or she intends to work there. The below article aims to provide some examples for C- and D-visa situations: **1. Pre-sales activities:** 1.1 Pre-sales Meeting only Typically covered by Business visas 1.2 Proposal Presentation / Defense / Orals If the employer is based in a non-EU-Country such final negotiations are covered by Business visas (should be highlighted in the visa application) 1.3 Assessment / Due Diligence (not linked to any project; part of the pre-sales cycle for a future, potential project) Also this is a part of the negotiations and it is covered by Business visas (should be highlighted in the visa application) 1.4 Project specific activities, but before the formal SoW / Contract is signed (e.g. Project preparation and detailed planning that happens in parallel with contract finalization) Also this is part of the negotiations and is covered by Business visas (should be highlighted in the visa application). **2. Project Preparation:** 2.1 Detailed Project Planning and Preparation for a fixed-bid project, once the contract has been signed If done from Germany, a work permit (D-Visa) is required 2.2 Project Kick-Off for a fixed-bid project by someone who is not formally part of the project team If done from Germany, a work permit (D-Visa) is required 2.3 Project Kick-Off for a fixed-bid project by someone who is formally part of the project team If done from Germany, a work permit (D-Visa) is required.   **3. Project Execution** 3.1 Any activity for a time and material project in which our consultants submit timesheets to the customer with their names on it Work activity (=D-visa required), please note that body leasing is usually not covered by a D-visa 3.2 Any activity for a fixed-bid project (Blueprinting / Training / Testing / Go-Live Support) for a limited period of time (up to 3 weeks) Work activity (=D-visa required), please note that body leasing is usually not covered by a D-visa 3.3 Any activity for a fixed-bid project (Blueprinting / Training / Testing / Go-Live Support) for a longer period of time (more than 3 weeks) Work activity (=D-visa required), please note that body leasing is usually not covered by a D-visa 3.4 Project Governance (e.g. SteerCo) participation If done from Germany, a work permit (D-Visa) is required. Applicants who are not sure if a C- or a D-visa applies, must discuss their case with a lawyer. If they decide to apply for a C-visa, they also have to describe the intended activity as detailed as possible within their applicatiuon letters. If a C-visa has been granted, it can usually be used as a base for the relevant activity.   Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need additional information or support with processing business visa for Germany. Dwyer Legal Law Firm, Schwanthalerstr. 13, Aufgang IV, 80336 Munich Tel: +49 (0)89 24 88 14 310, [www.dwyer-legal.com](https://dwyer-legal.com/) Note: Information provided in this Knowledge Database is for orientation only and not binding.   - [German Citizenship](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Dwyer Legal Citizenship Services for German residents](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#dwyer-legal-citizenship-services-for-german-residents) - [Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#einb%C3%BCrgerungstest-and-leben-in-deutschland) - [The new German citizenship law](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#the-new-german-citizenship-law) - [Citizenship aquisition by birth](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#citizenship-aquisition-by-birth) - [Citizenship applications by family relationships](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#citizenship-applications-by-family-relationships) - [Citizenship based on Nazi regime persecution](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-citizenship?hsLang=en#citizenship-based-on-nazi-regime-persecution) - [Permanent Residence Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/permanent-residence-permits?hsLang=en) - [Visa and Work Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Blue Card Work permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#blue-card-work-permits) - [Company Specialist Work Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#company-specialist-work-permits) - [ICT: Secondment work permits / Deputed employees](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#ict-secondment-work-permits-deputed-employees) - [Self-Employment / Freelancer Permits](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#self-employment-freelancer-permits) - [Dependency Visas](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#dependency-visas) - [Entry visas (Schengen and National Visas)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#entry-visas-schengen-and-national-visas) - [Job Seeker and Opprtunity visas](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#job-seeker-and-opprtunity-visas) - [Visa emergency situations](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#visa-emergency-situations) - [Dwyer Legal visa processing](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/visa-and-work-permits?hsLang=en#dwyer-legal-visa-processing) - [Employee Posting (General Information)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/employee-posting-general-information?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Posting of Employees within the EU (van der Elst)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/employee-posting-general-information?hsLang=en#posting-of-employees-within-the-eu-van-der-elst) - [German Labour Law](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/german-labour-law?hsLang=en) - [Temporary Employment Law (AUG)](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/temporary-employment-law-aug?hsLang=en) - [Payroll, Taxes and Contributions](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/payroll-taxes-and-contributions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Income taxes and contributions](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/payroll-taxes-and-contributions?hsLang=en#income-taxes-and-contributions) - [Payroll processing](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/payroll-taxes-and-contributions?hsLang=en#payroll-processing) - [Company Foundation](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/company-foundation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Company formation and processing](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/company-foundation?hsLang=en#company-formation-and-processing) - [Shareholder Work Permit Processing](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/company-foundation?hsLang=en#shareholder-work-permit-processing) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://dwyer-legal-4951429.hs-sites.com/blog) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledge.dwyer-legal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DwyerLegal_logo-1.png?width=64&height=24&name=DwyerLegal_logo-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://dwyer-legal.com) Dwyer Legal © Copyright © 2026, Dwyer Legal Law Firm