Definition
A national visa, also called a Type D or long-stay visa, is an entry authorisation issued by a Schengen Area member state allowing a non-EU national to reside in that specific country for more than 90 days. It is distinct from a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C, max 90/180 days) and is issued for purposes such as employment, study, or family reunification. Upon arrival, the holder typically must register with local authorities and apply for a formal residence permit within the first weeks of stay. A national visa is valid only in the issuing country, unlike the portable EU Blue Card.
Official name
Type D Visa (Long-Stay Visa)
Official sources
Related terms
Aufenthaltstitel
The German term for a residence title — the physical or digital document confirming a non-EU national's legal right to reside in Germany.
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Residence Permit
An official document or authorisation that entitles a non-citizen to legally reside in a country for a specified period, often but not always including the right to work.
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Schengen Area
A zone of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and border controls at their mutual borders, allowing free movement of people.
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Third-Country National
TCN
A person who is not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland — the primary applicant group for European work and residence permits.
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