Visa Types
Germany Visa Application Simplified
Find out what documents you need to travel, visit family And friends, do business, or transit through Germany.
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What Is Schengen Visa?
The Schengen Visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to visit and travel within the Schengen Area, which is a group of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This means that a person with a Schengen Visa can move freely between these countries without having to go through immigration checks at the border.
To obtain a Schengen Visa, applicants need to apply at the embassy or consulate of the country they intend to visit or spend most of their time in. The visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and can be used for tourism, business, or other purposes. However, the visa does not grant the holder the right to work or study in the Schengen Area.
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Here Are The Schengen Area Countries As Of March 2024:
Schengen Area signifies a zone where 29 European countries abolished their internal borders(countries of Schengen agreement). Here is the list of the countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia , Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. These countries apply common policies in terms of short-term visas.
Key Points for Germany Visitor Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to Germany?
To visit Germany, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
German visa application is made online or offline?
The visa application form and file submission, including all needed papers, are done offline.
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain a German visa?
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain a German visa, but it may vary. The embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a visit visa?
On a visit visa, you can stay for up to 8 Weeks.
What kind of visa will we acquire from Germany?
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page in your passport.
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 16-10-2023)
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VISA CATEGORY |
VISA FEE IN EUROS (ADULT) |
VISA FEE IN EUROS (CHILD) |
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Short Term – Schengen Visas (Including Tourism and Visit of Family and Friends) Business, Transit |
€ 90 |
€90(Above 12 Years). |
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€45 (For Children between 6-12 Years of age) |
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No visa fee is charged for children below 6 years of age |
To more information about visa fee, please click here
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
- Before applying for a visa to Germany as a Schengen State, determine the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, business, education, or employment, to choose the appropriate visa type.
- Refer to the official website of the German embassy or consulate in your country to find detailed information on visa categories, requirements, and application procedures for Schengen visas to Germany.
- Ensure you meet the specific documentation, financial, and eligibility criteria for the chosen visa category to increase the chances of a successful visa application for Germany as a Schengen State.
Get started with your visa application
Start your visa application process by filling out the application form and collecting all the required documents. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
- As a visitor to the Schengen area, you are permitted to stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. You can use the Schengen Visa Calculator to determine the duration of your stay. It is important to note that you cannot take up residence or work with a Schengen visa.
- To avoid any last-minute issues, we recommend that you apply for your visa well in advance of your planned entry into the Schengen area. Please be aware that visa applications can only be processed up to 6 months prior to your intended entry.
- All applicants must schedule an appointment to submit their visa application.
Choose a Visa Application Centre and make an appointment
To apply for a Schengen visa (stay in Schengen for less than 90 days) or a National visa (stay in Germany for more than 90 days), click on the "book an appointment" button to schedule your appointment.
If you have any queries related to visa application appointments or need to schedule a National visa appointment, you can get in touch with us via email by clicking here.
Find out the amount you need to pay
After submitting your visa application, the next step is to pay the visa application fee. If you have downloaded the application form, you can print it and take it to the Visa Application Centre for payment during your appointment. The fees can be paid either in cash or by card (Visa, Rupay, and Mastercard are acceptable).
To determine the exact fees applicable to your location, please refer to Step 1 and select the location that pertains to you. The fees for each location may vary.
New Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Chennai
Attend your scheduled appointment
Important Information about Jurisdiction for National Visa Applications
To apply for a National Visa, it is important to know the jurisdiction of the German Embassy and Consulate General in India.
The German Embassy in New Delhi covers Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Minicoy, and Amindive. It also represents the Federal Republic in Bhutan.
The German Consulate General in Bengaluru accepts National Visa applications only from residents of Karnataka and Kerala.
The German Consulate General in Chennai covers the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the Union Territory of Puducherry for National Visas.
The German Consulate General in Mumbai includes Maharashtra, the Union States of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The German Consulate General in Kolkata includes West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Appointments for National Visa applications should be scheduled at the respective Embassy/Consulate or Visa Application Centre (VAC) under their jurisdiction. Please bring the completed visa application form and all required documents listed on the checklist for your visa category.
Biometric enrolment must be completed in person if the biometrics have not been given in the last 59 months for any Schengen mission.
Please note that VFS Global does not accept National Visa applications under centralization.
Stay informed about the progress of your application
You can easily track the status of your visa application online by using the Reference Number provided on the invoice or receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre, along with your last name. This service is available for your convenience.
Additionally, if you would like to receive SMS updates regarding your application status, you can opt for this service at the time of submission for an additional fee.
Receive your passport from the Visa Application Centre
Once a decision has been made on your visa application, you can retrieve your documents/passport from the Visa Application Centre or have them delivered to you by courier for an additional fee.
Effective from 16th July 2014, the collection of documents or passports by a third party is no longer permitted, except in the following cases:
- Immediate family members (i.e. parents, children, siblings)
- One member of a group collecting for the entire group
- A person collecting on behalf of government officials if authorized on the government letterhead or department
- Representative of a company with an authorization letter on the letterhead of the company and the official ID card
If any of the above individuals come for passport collection, they must bring the following documents:
- Photocopy of government ID card
- Original ICR
- Authorization letter from the applicant
Applicants who do not wish to collect their documents in person and whose documents cannot be collected by one of the above should select delivery mode as courier at the time of submission.
Applicants are asked to include the complete delivery address on the cover letter. If no specific address is mentioned on the cover letter, the passport will be sent to the address mentioned on the Visa Application Form.
This procedural change ensures the safe and secure return of documents to applicants.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Here is a general document checklist for Indian citizens applying for a visitor visa to Germany. Please note that the specific requirements may vary depending on the purpose of your visit and individual circumstances. It is advisable to check the official website of the German embassy or consulate in India for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
1. Valid Passport:
- Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in Germany and should have at least two blank pages for visa stamps..
- Copies of the bio page and any pages with stamps or visas.
2. Completed Application Form:
- Visa application form: Complete the visa application form accurately and legibly. You can usually download the form from the official website of the German embassy or consulate.
- Ensure all sections are completed accurately and signed.
3. Digital Photographs:
- Provide two recent passport-sized photographs for each applicant.
- The photos should meet the specifications mentioned by the embassy or consulate..
4. Proof of Identity:
- Copy of your national identity card (if applicable).
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Divorce or separation certificate (if applicable).
- Adoption certificate (if applicable).
5. Travel Documents:
- Provide a copy of your flight itinerary or reservation showing your entry and exit dates from Germany. It is not necessary to purchase the actual tickets at the time of application..
- Submit proof of accommodation arrangements during your stay in Germany. This could be hotel reservations, an invitation letter from a host in Germany, or any other supporting documents.
- Travel insurance coverage for the duration of your visit to Germany.
6. Financial Documents:
- Bank statements for the past six months to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Germany.
- Proof of employment, such as employment letter, pay slips, or income tax returns.
- Business registration documents and financial statements (if self-employed).
- Sponsorship letter and supporting financial documents (if applicable).
7. Ties to India:
- Property ownership documents.
- Proof of employment or business ties in India.
- Family records or documents to demonstrate close family ties in India.
- Any other documents that prove your intention to return to India after your visit.
8. Additional Documents:
- Previous travel history, including copies of visas and entry/exit stamps.
- Marriage certificate or wedding photographs (if visiting for a wedding ceremony).
- Any other relevant supporting documents based on your specific circumstances.
9. Purpose of Visit:
- Tourist Visa:
- Detailed travel itinerary outlining the places you plan to visit in Germany.
- Proof of hotel bookings or accommodation arrangements.
- Sightseeing or tour reservations (if applicable).
- Visitor Visa:
- Letter of invitation from a host in Germany (if visiting friends or relatives).
- Detailed itinerary of your visit, including activities and events.
- Proof of family relationship or ties to the host (if applicable).
- Business Visa:
- Letter of invitation from the German company or organization you will be visiting.
- Proof of business activities, such as meeting agendas or conference invitations.
- Proof of your employment or business ties in India.
- Transit Visa:
- Confirmed flight tickets for your onward travel.
- Valid visa for your final destination (if required).
- Proof of transit purpose, such as hotel reservations or connecting flight details.
Please note that this is a general checklist, and additional documents may be required based on your specific circumstances. It is essential to consult the official website of the German embassy or consulate in India for detailed information and requirements specific to your visa category.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
When applying for a visitor visa to Germany from India, the following application forms are typically required:
Schengen Visa Application Form: This is the standard application form for a short-term Schengen visa, which includes the visitor visa for Germany. It collects personal information, travel details, and purpose of visit.
It is important to note that the specific forms and requirements may vary depending on the purpose of your visit and individual circumstances. It is recommended to consult the official website of the German embassy or consulate in India or seek guidance from a visa application center to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information for your visa application.
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
The process for applying for a Germany visitor visa from India typically involves the following steps:
- Gather the required documents: Collect all the necessary documents, including a valid passport, completed visa application forms, photographs, proof of travel insurance, proof of accommodation, financial documents, and any additional supporting documents depending on the purpose of your visit.
- Complete the application forms: Fill out the Schengen Visa Application Form and, if applicable, the National Visa Application Form, providing accurate and detailed information.
- Book an appointment: Schedule an appointment at the German embassy or consulate in India or at the visa application center responsible for processing German visa applications.
- Pay the visa fee: Pay the required visa fee, which may vary depending on the type and duration of your visit. Fees are usually paid in local currency or as specified by the embassy or consulate.
- Submit the application and documents: Submit your completed visa application form and supporting documents at the visa application center. Ensure that all the documents are in the specified format and meet the requirements.
- Track the application: Keep track of your application status by using the tracking facility provided by the embassy/consulate or the visa application center.
- Collect your passport: Once your visa application is processed and approved, collect your passport from the visa application center or the embassy/consulate. In some cases, you may be required to provide a pre-paid envelope for the return of your passport.
It is important to note that the visa application process and requirements may vary slightly depending on the specific embassy/consulate or visa application center. It is recommended to visit the official website of the German embassy or consulate in India or consult with a visa application center for detailed and up-to-date information regarding the application process
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