The West Germans are required to go through humiliating and frustrating experiences. and the East Germans may not go west at all unless 65 or over if on pension or over 60 if very ill. To visit someone in East Germany or East Berlin. the West Berliner must have a certificate. called an invitation. obtained from the person in the East. who must apply for it at the Mayors office. When received by the visitor named therein. he must carry a passport and obtain a visa or road privilege at the border. valid only for the place specified. A telegram can substitute for a certificate only if the Eastern relative is extremely ill or dying. Until Dec. 31. 1971. the West German going east had to exchange hard currency for somewhat under $2 for the visa and a similar amount if the visit was for one day or about $3.50 for each day if longer. The maximum stay was thirty days annually unless the person visited was extremely ill or dying. On Jan. 1. 1972. West Germany undertook to pay for Its citizens visas. The total is estimated at about 204.9 million West marks annually for three years. Excluded from visits are those who left East Germany "illegally since 13 August 1961" and West Germans who committed crimes recognizable by the East Germans.
Keywords matched
visas visa