Germany Visa Documents

If you are a non-EU national or an Indian travelling to Germany, having a Schengen visa is a must. Irrespective of the purpose of your visit, you should apply for the appropriate visa so that you can successfully enter the country for your purpose of visit.

This will include filling out the application form correctly and submitting it at the earliest with the necessary list of documents or their copies. Also, it is important to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance coverage as one of the primary documents so that your visa can be processed without any hassles!

It is also essential to have adequate funds and produce valid proof of the same when filling out the visa application form. This documentation will also be required when you appear for the visa interview.

As an Indian citizen visiting Germany, these are the following documents you must have during the visa interview and when entering Germany:

Application Form: The duly filled and signed Germany visa application form.

Passport: Your current passport with two blank pages and a validity of at least 3 months.

Passport-sized Photos: Two passport-sized photographs taken in the last 6 months, per the photo requirements.

Travel Insurance Policy: A valid travel insurance plan with adequate medical coverage in case of an emergency.

Employment Papers: If you are an employee, produce a No-Objection Certificate from your organisation and proof of leave from the office.

Flight Arrangements: Your flight tickets to and from Germany should be present.

Proof of Accommodation: Show proof or a receipt of your accommodation/reservation in Germany.

Proof of Income: Show adequate income proof, such as your ITR receipts or bank statements that indicate you can cover your expenses when in Germany.

Additional Documents: Depending on the visa you apply for, you may be needed to show additional documentation such as invitation letters, a letter from your sponsor, etc. As a student, be sure to carry your student ID and proof of admission to any recognised educational institution.

You must have a certain set of visa documents when travelling to Germany, including your travel insurance policy. Many tourists and visitors travel to the country with their families to visit extended family and friends who are German residents or citizens.

If you are travelling with children or relatives below the age of 18 years, a separate set of documents will be needed for them to be able to get a visa. This is the list of documents required for minors:

• A photocopy of both parents’ passports.

• The minor/child’s birth certificate.

• Notarised authorisation from the other parent if only one parent is travelling with the child.

• If the child is travelling alone, then a German application form should be duly filled and signed by both parents.

• If only one parent has complete custody of the child, a family court order is needed as an essential visa document.

• A letter of enrolment to the educational institution is a must for minor students travelling to Germany.

• They must also have a No-Objection Certificate from the previous school or university.

It is true that Germany has a lot to offer to tourists with its enthralling landscapes and architectural masterpieces! But Germany is also known for modern technology and attracts plenty of professionals and business owners from across the globe.

Therefore, when travelling to Germany with a new job offer or for business purposes, these are the visa documents you will be needed to provide. They are bifurcated below, as per your working status:

1. For employed individuals:

• For those travelling to Germany for a new job, a formal contract/letter of employment is a must.

• You must also have the bank statements for the last 6 months.

• If you are travelling for a temporary assignment, leave permission from your current employer in India should be produced.

• Also, present your latest Income Tax Return receipt or the ITR receipts from the last three years.

2. For self-employed persons:

• A copy of your business/professional license

• Your company’s bank statement for the last 6 months

• The latest Income Tax Return (ITR) receipts or the ITR receipts from the last three years.

3. For retired persons:

• A formal pension statement for the last 6 months

• If applicable, you may also be required to produce proof of income from a property over the last 6 months.

Note: The above list is incomplete; additional documents may be required depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Checking with the German Embassy or Consulate in India for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding visa application requirements is recommended.

While applying for a Schengen visa, the visa interview is a critical stage of your application process. This interview is essential as it helps the embassy officials gauge the actual purpose of your visit as well as your financial condition. Without adequate financial support and a genuine reason to visit Germany, you may risk having your visa rejected. The visa process may be strictly curated for security purposes.

The visa interview process is highly meticulous but can be quite simple if your purpose for visiting Germany is quite clear. Confidence and authenticity are key for clearing the interview. That being said, these are the documents you must carry along when going for the visa interview:

• A valid passport with at least 2 blank pages and a minimum validity of three months after your departure date.

• Also, provide two clear and recent passport-size photographs.

• The duly filled and signed visa application form and the declaration form.

• Your travel itinerary, invitation letter or a letter of enrolment to state the purpose of your visit.

• Your flight tickets, the arrival and departure dates and the flight details.

• A valid travel insurance plan with a coverage of at least €30,000.

You can swiftly complete the German visa application process from the official website of the German Consulate in India. The steps to be followed are as given:

• The documents required to complete the online application will depend on the type of visa you opt for – business, tourism student visa and so on. Ensure you have all the documents needed per the guidelines and instructions under each type.

• Complete filling out the online application form with accurate and genuine details. The smallest discrepancies may delay the process. Provide any additional documentation or details as needed.

• Other than the application form, keep your valid passport, your photograph, travel itinerary, flight and accommodation details, and travel insurance document at hand.

• The visa processing fees can be paid online from the official website of the German Consulate in India. The fee will vary according to the type of visa you choose and the duration of your trip.

• Once the online application has been submitted and the fees have been paid, you may need to wait for up to at least 15 days. The confirmation of your processed application will be emailed to you. Alternatively, you may have to collect the confirmation letter at the German Consulate.

When applying for a Schengen visa, you will also need to be particular if the photographs in your application match the given requirements. They are as follows:

• Two identical passport-size photos taken in the last 6 months.

• The size of each photo should be 35x45mm.

• Be sure that they are taken in colour; black and white photos are disallowed.

• Your head should occupy about 70-80% of the whole photo.

• The background should have no pattern and must be either brightly coloured or light grey, preferably.

• Ensure that you are looking straight at the camera and not sideways.

• Maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed.

• Your attire should not be a uniform, and the colour should not match the background.

Before you attend the interview for your Schengen visa, keep the following documents ready with you. You will have to present these to the official at the Consulate, where the interview has been scheduled. While the documents may vary as per the type of visa you have applied for, some of the standard documents are:

• Your valid passport and a copy of the passport’s biodata page. Also, carry your previous passports, if any.

• The duly filled and signed visa application form.

• One latest passport-sized photograph as per the Schengen visa requirements.

• A copy of your travel plans/itinerary that should include the flight schedule and accommodation details.

• A letter of invitation from your friend, relative or sponsor in case you are not making hotel reservations.

• If you have a job offer or are visiting as a student, carry the letter of employment or the student ID card, respectively.

• Your travel insurance policy with adequate insurance coverage for different risks.

• Bank statements, ITR receipts or salary slips will be the proof of adequate funds for your stay.

• Any additional document that clarifies the purpose of your visit to Germany. This can be a letter of invitation or your travel itinerary.

Always ensure that your travel insurance policy has already been purchased at the time of appearing for the visa interview. As per the Schengen visa guidelines, a travel policy with sufficient insurance coverage can ensure that any medical emergencies or other losses and damages can be easily covered without you having to pay anything out of your own pocket.

At the time of filling out your visa application form, you will have to select which type of visa you will be travelling on. This is how you can carry proof of the purpose of your trip to Germany as per your visa type:

• Tourism: As a tourist wanting to explore the beauty of the country and experience the culture, you can carry your travel itinerary or show proof of your accommodation and flight tickets.

• Visiting family/friends: If you have family or friends who are legal residents or citizens of Germany, you can show a letter of invitation from your German host as proof of purpose.

• For students: Students wanting to pursue a course in a German educational institution should have a letter of acceptance from the institution as well as a No Objection letter from their previous institution.

• Business purposes: As a business person, you should have a letter, certificate or similar official document that states that you are visiting Germany on business.

• Medical reasons: People go to Germany seeking high-quality medical care and treatment. One can simply show their medical reports and official communication from the hospital as proof of the purpose of visiting the country.

• Cultural events/sports: If you have been invited to Germany to attend a cultural or religious event or are going there on your own accord, gather formal supporting documents to prove your purpose of visiting Germany, along with the duration of your stay.

When arranging for your visa documents and proofs, be sure to include your travel insurance plan as part of the documentation. This is especially important as different unforeseen risks and losses can be expensive to handle on your own in a foreign country. Germany is known to be an expensive country, depending on which city you may be travelling to. In the event of a medical emergency or sickness, hospital bills can be unmanageable.

However, with a suitable Tata AIG travel insurance policy, you can reach out to customer care, get adequate guidance on how to get appropriate medical care in the country and also understand how to claim your travel insurance policy.

Below are the visa fees for the different short-term and long-term visas:

Short-term

Visa Category - Short Term – Schengen Visas (Including Tourism and Visit of Family and Friends) Business, Transit.

Visa Fees (Adults) - €80 or ₹7,100

Visa Fees (Child) - €80 or ₹7,100 (above 12 Years) and €40 or ₹3600 (for children between 6-12 Years of age). No visa fee is charged for children below 6 years of age.

Long-term

Visa Category - Long Term – National (More than 90 days)

Visa Fees (Adults) - €80 or ₹6,600

Visa Fees (Child) - €80 or ₹6,600 (for children between 0-17 years of age)

Apart from the visa processing fees, there are some optional value-added services such as courier service, mobile biometrics, etc., as well as other service charges that may be charged for every applicant. Moreover, these fees are non-refundable, but they do not affect the timelines given for the visa procedure.

Also, remember to carry enough cash with you when travelling to Germany. Even though credit cards and debit cards are popular modes of transaction in most big businesses, you can easily navigate through your street shopping with the help of loose change and cash.

Short-stay visas can take up to 15 days for your visa to be processed. The same processing time can be doubled during the peak season and go up to 30 days since the German Embassies receive a greater number of applications. However, in some cases, there is a chance that the visa processing time may take up to 60 days.

You can do your bit to eliminate any possible delay by submitting your application as soon as possible. Hence, when you start planning your trip to Germany, you are allowed to apply 3 months in advance so that there is no last-minute hassle. However, if you are delayed, you can submit your application 15 days before travel. The only drawback here would be that a delay in visa processing can affect your travel plans.

Lastly, always make it a point to fill out the application form carefully and gather all your original visa documents and their copies before you start the process. You must also have a photocopy of your documents in case the German Consulate wishes to retain a copy of your documents for the visa procedure.

As a tourist or visitor in Germany, you will have a lot to explore during your stay. However, since there are numerous things to do, here is a short list of some things that you cannot miss when in Germany:

Visit the famed Europa Park: This thrilling theme park in Rust is where you can spend a whole day exploring over 100 shows, rides, and other attractions. And this place is not just limited to children, adults and senior citizens are also welcome to join in and have their share of fun. Check the park timings and the entry fee before visiting as the former may vary as per the season.

Spend a quiet moment in the Englischer Garten: Located in the heart of Munich, this lush garden is the best place to catch your breath before you continue your sightseeing tour. Apart from walking on the beautiful trails, you can also enjoy a swim, go surfing, read a book, or get tasty snacks from one of the many stalls or a beer from the beer garden there!

Explore the Mercedes Benz Museum: Spread over 8 floors, this renowned museum covers the enthralling journey of the Mercedes Benz, right from its very first model to the upcoming ones. If you are visiting Stuttgart with your children, alone, or with family and friends, this is one place you should have on your list if you want to watch the luxurious display of cars!

Visit the Aachen Cathedral: This famed historical monument is not only the oldest cathedral in Germany but also in Northern Europe. The sophisticated architecture of the basilica is a masterpiece in itself and has a rich history of coronating numerous German kings and queens between 936 and 1531. This Roman Catholic church is also known as the Imperial Cathedral.

Information last updated Aug '23. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.