Almost 132,825 Indian travelers have been to Germany in the last year. This is because the country has several famous tourist destinations and hundreds of training or internship programs.
However, the first step is to apply for a visa before leaving your country. The visa application process can be tricky sometimes. But if you know the requirements, it will increase your chances of finishing the Germany visa for Indians process easily.
So, go through this guide till the end to learn about the essential guidelines of a German visa.
Info About Germany
Make sure to learn some key information about Germany before traveling to this splendid country.
- It is one of the most highly populated countries in the world.
- Surprisingly, its official language, German, has more than 35 dialects.
- Moreover, when visiting this state, you will find the largest station in Europe in Berlin.
- The Euro is the currency of Germany.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in public spaces.
- Furthermore, Germany has more than 2,100 castles.
Is Germany a part of the Schengen region?
Irrespective of your purpose, traveling to Germany has become stress-free. This is because of the Schengen Agreement signed in 1985.
Due to this contract, you can travel to Germany and other Schengen countries with a single visa. The Schengen region has zero internal border checks that allow free movement of people and goods.
Other Schengen countries that you can visit with a German visa from India are as follows.
- Austria
- Belgium, Bulgaria
- Croatia, the Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland, France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland, Italy
- Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg
- Malta
- the Netherlands, Norway
- Poland, Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland
Are Indians Required to Apply for a Germany Visa?
Yes. Nationals of India can apply for a visa to enter Germany legally. Similar is the case even if you are planning to visit the country for a short-term stay as a tourist or business enthusiast.
Moreover, you can also visit friends or family members living in Germany.
Furthermore, note that if you have a valid Schengen visa issued by another member country, you are allowed to enter and stay in Germany as well. However, this is valid for short visits only.
Who can apply?
Indian citizens can apply for a German visa in the following cases.
- If you intend to visit Germany only, then you can apply for this visa. However, if you want to travel to Belgium, then you are not eligible to get a German visa from India. Your first destination point should be Germany. After that, you can visit other nearby countries.
- Furthermore, if you are planning a tour to Europe and you will spend most of your days in Germany, then you can apply for this visa. For example, suppose you are going to spend 7 days in Germany, 5 in Spain, and 3 in Italy, then you can obtain a German visa.
Other than that, the citizens of these countries who have been living in India for more than three months can also apply for a German visa.
Germany Visa Types for Indians
A Germany visa for Indians is broadly categorized into the following Schengen visa types.
| Visa type | Alternate name | Purpose | Duration of stay | Validity |
| Short-stay visa | Schengen visa (Type C) | Vacation, Visiting friends/family/relatives, Business, Medical treatment, Film Crew, Internship/Training, Participating in sports/cultural/trade fairs or religious events, Nuclear scientist, Fair exhibitor | For short stays of less than three months | 180 days (6 months) |
| Long-stay visa | National visa (Type D) | Study, Employment, Family/spouse Reunification, Volunteer work | For stays longer than three months | One or two years |
| Transit visa | Type A | Transit through Germany while traveling to another country | Depends on the connecting flight | 24 or 48 hours |
Legal Documents for a Germany Visa Application for Indians
As an Indian citizen, make sure to fulfill the following Germany visa requirements for Indian when applying for a visa.
Visa application form
The first requirement is to fill out a visa application form. You can download it from the website of the embassy, print it, and fill it out. Make sure to not leave any blank unfilled as it may lead to the rejection of the visa.
Passport
Secondly, submit your passport with a validity period of at least three to six months after you leave Germany. This travel document should not be older than the last ten years and contain two blank pages to affix visa stamps.
Photographs
One or two passport-size photos should also be submitted with the rest of the documents. Also, make sure that they are according to the Schengen photo guidelines, which are as follows.
- The pictures should be recent, a maximum of three months old.
- It should be clear and sharp.
- The photo dimension must be 35mm*45mm.
- The background of the picture should be of light color such as white or gray.
- 70-80 percent of your face and shoulders are covered in the photo.
Declaration of accuracy
Submit a document stating that the information given is accurate. This declaration certificate should be signed.
Residency proof
Indian residents are also required to provide proof showing that they are nationals of the country. For this purpose, they can submit utility bills or Aadhaar cards.
Travel health insurance
Purchasing a travel health insurance policy is a mandatory requirement of the German Schengen visa. Therefore, make sure to choose a reliable travel agency in this regard.
It should be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the target country. Also, the coverage amount must be around 30,000 to 45,000 euros.
Proof of accommodation
Proof of accommodation is also required to show that you have a place to stay in the target country. Therefore, you can submit documents such as a hotel reservation or a rental contract for an apartment/house.
In case you are staying with someone else, submit an invitation letter.
Flight itinerary
A flight itinerary is required to prove that you have an intention of flying out of your home country to visit Germany. This document discloses your flight details such as flight number, your first & last name, airport terminals, travel dates & times, etc.
Other than that, a travel itinerary document with a complete list of activities is also required.
Cover letter
Submitting a cover letter as a supporting document when applying for a Schengen visa will increase the chances of the application approval. Therefore, the document must contain information related to the purpose of your trip, travel dates & itinerary, your intention to travel back to your home country, etc.
Proof of financial resources
Proof of financial resources having sufficient bank balance is also required. This shows that you can support yourself during the entire length of your stay.
In addition, you can submit documents such as a bank statement from the last three months or a salary slip in this regard.
Requirements for a minor
Lastly, if a minor is traveling with you, ensure to submit papers such as proof of custody, a copy of the parent’s passports, the birth certificate of the minor, a notarized consent letter, etc.
Where Can I Apply?
You can apply for a German visa for Indians through the VFS Global Visa Application Center. It is an official processing company that the Embassy of Germany has authorized in India.
India has several application centers located in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Puducherry, Pune.
How to Get a Germany Visa from India?
Follow the steps mentioned below to start the application process for a Germany visa from India.
Visit the website
The first step requires you to search and visit the website of VFS Global on Google search. After opening it, move to the main page.
Choose your visa category
Secondly, based on the purpose of your trip, ensure to select the right visa category. You can choose from tourism, business, study visa, etc. This step is essential as you are also required to submit additional documents depending on the chosen type.
Select your application center
Since India has various application centers of VFS Global, it is important to select the one nearest to your residence.
Schedule an appointment
After that, make an appointment with the same application center. You can either get the application form physically or download it from the website. Also, ensure to fill it out by providing the requested details correctly.
Collect the required documents
Then, prepare the documents needed such as a passport, photos, flight reservation, etc. In case, you do not have any document, get it from the relevant authorities as soon as possible.
Pay the visa fee
Paying the required amount is also a vital step in the application process. You can deposit the amount either after or before the visa interview. However, this depends on the embassy or the application center through which you apply.
Submit your application
On the day of the appointment, bring your documents along with the visa application form to the selected center. The visa officer may ask you for an interview on the same day and you are supposed to provide your biometric data as well.
Collect your passport
Lastly, wait for the processing time. After that, you can collect your passport or get it delivered through a courier service by paying additional charges. The embassy will notify you about your application status through email.
Germany Visa Cost for Indians
Recently in 2023, the Schengen visa cost changed. According to the latest updates, the new visa fee structure is effective from February 2023.
These visas are broadly categorized into two main types, short-term visas and long-stay visas.
So, the standard amount for each visa type has been specified below in the table.
| Visa category | Purpose | Fee in Euros | Fee in Indian Rupees |
| Short-term visa (Schengen visa) | Including Tourism, Visit of Family & Friends, Business, Transit | 90 euros (Above 12 years). 45 euros (For children between 6-12 years of age) Children below 6 years of age are free to travel | 8,410 Indian Rupees (Above 12 years). 4,210 INR (For children between 6-12 years of age) No visa fee for children below six years of age |
| Long-term visa (National visa) | Stays more than 90 days | 76 euros (Above 12 years). 38 euros (For children between 0-17 years of age) | 7,100 INR (Above 12 years). 3,550 Indian Rupees (For children between 6-12 years of age) |
Service charges of VAC
In case you apply for a German visa for Indians through a visa application center (VAC), you also have to pay the service fee of VFS Global, which is almost 1,800 Indian Rupees.
How can I deposit my amount?
The visa fee cannot be returned to you even if the embassy rejects your visa. You are required to pay the fee in Indian Rupees either by,
- Cash
- Credit card
- Amex card
- Demand Draft
- Rupay
Possible Reasons for a German Visa Rejection
In case the relevant embassy denies your German visa, there could be several reasons for rejection. Some of them have been mentioned below:
- Your documents showing involvement in immigration or other criminal activities
- Unclear travel purpose and no documents showing details of arrival and departure from Germany
- Insufficient monetary funds to manage your trip and daily expenses
- If you have submitted an incomplete application form
FAQs
- When should I apply for a German visa from India?
Usually, the application process for a German visa takes at least two weeks. However, in extreme cases, the processing time gets extended leading to a delay in the embassy sending your passport back.
So, it is advisable to apply for a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months for a visa before your intended travel date.
- Is it necessary to attend the visa interview?
It is always recommended to prepare yourself for the visa interview. This is because the German embassy or consulate in India sometimes asks you for an interview or may not at all.
Moreover, the visa officer may ask you questions such as your reason for visiting the country, the duration of your trip, or whether any family member is accompanying you or not.
- How much does an Indian citizen require to travel to Germany?
When applying for a Germany visa for Indians, you are required to show certain financial documents to prove that you can manage your daily expenses in the host country.
For this purpose, you must have at least 45-50 euros, equivalent to almost 5,000 Indian Rupees. Moreover, you can also submit your recent bank statement or a salary slip.
- Can I visit other European countries with a German visa?
Yes. A German Schengen visa allows you to visit other European countries as well. However, this offer is valid for short stays only. In case you want to reside in another Schengen country for a longer period, apply for a separate visa.
- What is the processing time for a Germany visa for Indians?
A Germany visa for Indians typically takes six to fifteen working days to process. However, depending on the number of applicants, the standard processing times can get extended as well.
Moreover, it is informed by the German embassy to not contact them regarding the status of your application. Once they reach a point, they will notify you through an email.
- Is it necessary to translate my documents when applying for a German visa?
Yes. The German embassy in India requires you to translate some of your documents such as a civil status certificate to be translated into German or English. Besides, the legalization or the Apostille stamp is not acceptable in the name of certification by the authorities of Germany in India.
For this purpose, depending on the embassy or consulate, you must bring your documents to the embassy before the visa interview to authenticate them. This may take almost 12 weeks. Also, you must pay the service charges for this authentication.
- Can I live and work in Germany with a tourist visa?
No. A Type C or tourist visa allows you to enter the country for holiday, business, or family visits. Therefore, you cannot convert it into a work or study visa.
- Can I extend my German visa?
Yes, you can extend the validity of your German visa for Indians. However, this is applicable only in rare or exceptional cases. For more details, go through this website of the Berlin Service Portal.
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