Working holiday visa processing times

My girlfriend and I are heading to Munich fairly soon and are going to get a Working Holiday visa when we arrive (we're from NZ). I've had a look around the forum and couldn't find out how long it takes to get a visa processed at the Ausländerbehörde. Does anyone know how long it takes?

Might be some info in this thread: Waiting times for work permits for Germany

This took me all of 10 seconds (including typing time) to find via yahoo.

Do it from NZ, it'll be much much easier than doing it here. Mine took a total of 3 days. One day to courier the documents & passport to Wellington, they processed it the next day, then they couriered it back to me the following day. I get the impression that the Germans in NZ are far more efficient than the Germans in Germany...either that or the demand for Kiwis going on the working holiday scheme in Germany is really low and the people in that department jump at the opportunity to do a bit of work...which is my current favourite theory.

Thanks for the replies, I guess I didn't explain it enough - we're already in Germany and will be applying for the visa in Munich. I had a look at the "Waiting times for work permits for Germany" thread and it looked to be focussed on Work Permits instead of the working holiday visa.

From what Timmeh has said it sounds like it could be done in a day... as long as NZ efficiency has migrated here ;-D

Ok, so I got my visa in München yesterday. It took about 2.5 hours, including getting my Anmeldung. The first person didn't know about the Working Holiday visa but another person used their initiative and found out about it. All in all, not too bad.

Hey!

I'm a kiwi thats been living in the UK for the last few years (WHV and WP) and I'm planning to move to Munich in August on the Working Holiday Visa.

Is it really that easy to get when you get there?! I've made an appointment at the German Embassy here in London to get it before I go (which has cost £15 worth of phone calls alone!) but I'm worried that they won't have a clue how to process the visa application as its not a standard visa! Also, the 'Health Insurance' critieria on the application form...Did you just set up something from home for 12months to cover you? If so, could you tell me which company and policy?!

Thanks! I'm doing this all on my own now due to unforeseen circumstances...

Yip, it wasn't too hard but cost us a little extra than getting it in NZ (€50 instead of €30) - random! I just had to convince them to look up the visa requirements for New Zealanders (applies to Aussies too).

Re: health insurance... you have to have it get the visa. I was asked for proof and it's supposed to be 12 months - I had 10 months (went to Oz first) and the immigration office here said to come back in 10 months with proof of new insurance. I used Southern Cross from good old New Kiwiland but I reckon it's a rip-off. My girlfriend used this place www.1cover.co.nz - it's cheap.

Also make sure you have proof of funds (bank statement is ok). They do check sometimes (I was checked but my girlfriend wasn't).

If you're willing to spend half a day in the Ausländerbehörde then it's no problem. Do you know any German? Don't expect the officials to know English, as my girlfriend found out (I managed to get us through ok with bad German!).

PM me if you do decide to get it in Munich. We can meet up here and I can give you some more help.

Have a look at this post for information about getting your WHV in Munich:
Working holiday visas for NZers and Aussies

Your a star! Thanks so much for that.

Your right about the difference in price for the insurance too.. Another bonus!

My German is pretty basic, so will defo get in touch if I get stuck.

Wish you guys all the best anyways!!