Requesting information on the visa warning file via your own organization

If you would like to know what information the Visa Warning File has on file about your organization, you can request information.

The Visa Warning File (VWD) supports authorities in issuing visas. This includes the German missions abroad. It supports foreigners authorities in the examination of declarations of commitment.

If you would like to know whether and what information the Visa Warning File stores about your organization, the Federal Office of Administration will provide you with information. To do so, you must submit an application.

The Visa Warning File stores information about an organization if persons have acted on its behalf and have

• act as an inviter, obligor or reference person in the visa procedure and thereby
  • have made false statements or
  • have not fulfilled their obligations when claimed, or
• have voluntarily allowed their data to be stored if, for example, there is suspicion that statements have been made under their name in visa procedures without permission.

The data that the Visa Warning File stores on organizations include:

• Name of the organization
• Address
• Registered office
• Mission or field of activity
• the name and location of the register in which the organization is registered, as well as the register number
• the reason for the storage
• the visa warning file number of the Federal Office of Administration
• If a person acts on behalf of an organization, the data of the person is also stored in the WVD for the organization.

The application data is stored, depending on the decision (positive, negative), up to 10 years.

If applying online:
Proof of identity:

• Online ID function (with self-selected, six-digit PIN)
  • of the identity card
  • the electronic residence permit
  • the electronic residence card
  • the electronic permanent residence card or
  • the eID card

In case of personal application:
Proof of identity:

• identity card, passport

In case of application by mail:
Proof of identity:

• in Germany:
  • by official certification of the signature on the application
    • Usually the local city hall or citizens' registration office can certify the signature. Please inquire about local responsibilities and fees.
• Abroad:
  • by notarization of the signature on the application by the foreign representation or
  • by certification of the signature on the application by an authority of the country of origin authorized to certify, or
  • by a separate letter from a notary public certifying the signature with a German translation by a sworn translator.
• In case of information to representative (authorized) person:
  • Power of attorney with certification of signature

Notarization is not necessary if the authorized person is a lawyer admitted to practice before a German court.

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: No

Online services available: Yes

There are no legal requirements for the application.

• Objection
• Objection
  Detailed information on how to file an appeal can be found in the notice of your application.
• Administrative court action

You can apply online, in person, or by mail.
Online application:

• Log in to the federal portal using your online ID card function.
• Fill out the online application and submit the data.
• You will then receive the requested information in writing by mail (in the future, also in the mailbox of the federal user account).

Personal application:

• Download and complete the application form from the Federal Administration Office website.
• Make an appointment at your local location of the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).
  • Use the telephone hotline or the e-mail address of the Visa Warning File (BVA, Unit S I 4).
  • An overview of the locations can be found on the BVA website.
• You will then receive the requested information in writing by mail.

Application by mail:

• Download the application form from the Federal Administrative Office (BVA) website.
• Send the completed application form along with the required documents to the address of the Federal Office of Administration listed on the application form.
• You will then receive the requested information in writing by mail

You do not have to meet any deadlines.

If there is nothing to prevent you from providing the information: As a rule, you will receive a reply within 4 weeks of receipt of the mail.

There are no costs for you due to the application.

If the proof of identity is not provided, a notice will be issued with a refusal to provide the information.