Security and visa matters
In-person exchange projects with Teams up! can only be carried out in countries where the participants’ safety is guaranteed. The travel warnings issued by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office (“Auswärtiges Amt”) also apply. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the advice of the Robert Koch Institute must also be followed. All participants on development-related youth exchanges need a valid visa in order to enter the countries taking part in the project.
Current security warnings
Since many of the Teams up! partner countries are subject to travel and/or entry restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the possibilities for implementing in-person visits under the programme are currently very limited. If you are planning projects, please make sure you first contact your supervisor at the Teams up! team and consult the chcklist of resumption of in-person visits. Please be aware that it is also possible to conduct visits on a completely virtual basis, in consultation with Engagement Global, if in-person visits cannot take place due to security alerts or the pandemic situation, for instance.
Checklist for resumption of in-person visits
You can read the latest international travel and security guidance on the Federal Foreign Office website:
Visa
All participants in Teams up! projects need a valid visa for the duration of their stay in the partner country. Information on current visa rules can be obtained from the countries’ embassies and consulates.
The Teams up! team can assist with visa applications by supplying a covering letter and a visa support letter from the BMZ to be presented to the embassy, if required. To do so, team needs an up-to-date, full list of participants, which should be sent in digital format to: