Germany Visa for Indians

Germany Visa for Indians- First Requisite to Visit Germany

According to the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), Germany has emerged as one of the most preferred tourist destinations for Indians visiting Europe. Apart from being flocked by tourists, many Indian nationals are now travelling to Germany for work and some even for medical treatments. Students also account for a large chunk of those travellers. German tourism is now expecting about two million Indian tourists by 2030.

Yet despite being the most recurrent visitors, Indian citizens often encounter problems obtaining information about the entire process of acquiring a German visa. One of the most bewildering confusion is whether there is a provision for an on arrival visa in Germany for Indian citizens. However, the answer is no. Like other European countries, Germany does not provide an on-arrival visa to Indian citizens and thus, you may have to apply for a German visa for Indians in advance.

Thus, today, we aim to bring a comprehensive guide about all you need to know about a German visa.

Before proceeding further, we shall elaborate on the different types of German visas.

Types of German Visa

To visit Germany, you must apply for a German visa from India. Based on your purpose of visit, you can apply for multiple types of visas. The list of visas issued by the German embassy are of the following types:

• Tourist Visa: As the name suggests, a tourist visa applies to individuals who wish to visit Germany for tourism purposes.
• Student Visa: A German student visa is issued to students from India who have already been accepted to a German University for higher studies. The validity of a German study visa varies based on your study program.
• Student Applicant Visa: This type of visa differs slightly from the German student visa. It applies to Indian students who want to study in Germany but are yet to receive acceptance from a German University or are still trying to find the right program. The German student applicant visa is valid for up to 3 months.
• Training/Internship Visa: This type of visa is acquired by those who wish to undertake training or pursue an internship in their respective field in Germany. The validity of a German training visa varies based on your contract. It generally can be anywhere between 1 to 3 years.
• Working Visa: As the name suggests, this visa is for those who wish to go to Germany for employer-related assignments or work.
• Job Seeker Visa: A job seeker visa is issued to Indians who want to enter Germany to seek a job.
• Medical Treatment Visa: Indian patients travelling to Germany for medical treatment should apply for a Medical treatment visa.
• Business Visa: A business visa is for Indians who want to enter the country to do business.
• Language Course Visa: A language course visa is specifically issued to individuals who wish to travel to Germany to learn the German language.
• Guest Scientist Visa: This is the visa for Indian scholars or scientists whom a credible institution has invited to undertake a research study.
• Trade Fair and Exhibitions Visa: This is the visa acquired by those who want to go to Germany to participate in an exhibition or trade fair in their field or business.
• Airport Transit Visa: This is the visa for Indian travellers who change flights for their destination countries through one of the German international airports. The airport transit visa for Germany is valid for up to 24 hours.
• Schengen visa for Germany: A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any member country of the Schengen Area. It permits stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. Schengen is the term used for the EU passport-free zone covering most European countries. 27 countries, including Germany, have signed the Schengen agreement, which permits citizens from member countries to travel freely within the zone without border and passport control. Every member country of this zone can issue a Schengen visa. These countries are Austria, Estonia, Malta, Czech Republic, Croatia, Iceland, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Italy, Slovakia, Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, France, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Lithuania.

Apart from these, another nineteen countries are not a part of the Schengen zone. Yet, they permit Schengen visa holders to enter, transit or stay in their territories by showing a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa.

Eligibility To Apply for a German Visa for Indians

Based on the type of visa you apply for, the eligibility criteria for a German visa for Indians may differ. The list of common criteria for a German visa is as mentioned below:

• You must not be involved in an ongoing criminal hearing where you must be present in the country of your residence.
• You should be able to submit a valid passport with a validity of up to six months from the date of your visa application.
• The Passport must also have space of at least 2-4 pages.
• You must present complete details of your trip itinerary.
• Possess a Schengen travel insurance with efficient coverage.
• Have proof of sufficient funds in your bank account.
• Provide complete details about your trip itinerary.
• Possess proof of employment if you are applying for a German work visa.
• If you apply for a German study visa, you should fulfil the requirements, such as an admission letter and an eligible IELTS score. Please note that 5.5-6.0 is the minimum IELTS requirement for a German student visa.

Documents Required for German Visa for Indians

Based on the type of your visa application, German visa applicants should possess the below-mentioned documents:

• Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months before the due date of travel.
• Photograph: You must present two photographs, adhering to the criteria specified by the German embassy.
• Proof of Accommodation: You must be able to provide proof of your booked and paid accommodation in Germany.
• Proof of Transportation: You should be able to present your purchased airline return tickets within your trip.
• Valid Travel Health Insurance: It is mandatory to have valid German travel insurance covering the duration of your stay in Germany.
• Travel Itinerary: You should provide the complete trip itinerary from your trip start to trip end date.
• Bank Statement: You must submit a formal statement of your financial situation from the bank for the last three months.

Apart from these generic requirements, there could be specific document requirements based on the type of visa. For example, if you are applying for a student visa, you would also be asked to submit proof of enrollment in the educational institution. To apply for a work visa, you must submit a copy of a formal letter from your employer, along with the employment period, the job's nature, and the exact dates of when you would be entering and leaving the country. For minors below 6 years, a copy of the birth certificate would also be required.

Application Process for a German Visa:

To obtain a Germany visa from India, you would have to follow the given steps to submit your application:

• Contact the visa consulate or your trusted agent and acquire the checklist of the required documentation for the type of visa you want to apply for.
• Fill in the application form correctly.
• You would then be required to make an appointment with the embassy. Please note that the earliest date to schedule the appointment is three months before your trip.
• Your next step would be to pay the visa fee and retain the receipt to show to the consular officer during your interview later.
• Be punctual on the appointment day, with all required and correct documentation.
• Submit your biometrics, fingerprints, and digital images.
• Wait for the approval/rejection of your application.
• Collect the visa if approved.

A few things you should remember while applying for a Germany visa application form is that the visa fee would differ depending on the type of visa you opt for. A long-stay visa would have a higher fee than a short-stay visa. The processing of a German visa application takes anywhere between 10 to 15 working days. There may be delays depending on the number of applications or, in certain cases, the applicant's specific situation.

Germany Visa Fee in 2023

Germany visa fees from India may vary depending on the visa type you apply for, your trip duration and other criteria. Generally, the Schengen visa fee for Germany for an adult is ₹7200, whereas, for minors, the German visa fee is ₹3600. Additionally, the visa fees (in Euros) for major types of German visas are as tabulated below:

Germany Visa Processing Time for Indians

Germany visa processing time in India may take 15-30 days to be approved/rejected. However, certain circumstances, such as many visa applications or discrepancies in the visa application procedure, may delay the processing of your visa. Thus, it is suggested that you apply for a German visa at least six months in advance.

How to Track the Germany Visa Application Form?

You can track your Germany visa application online by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Step 1: Obtain the visa reference number provided to you during the German visa application.
• Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Application Tracking’ section on the official website- VFS Global.
• Step 3: On the newly appeared page, enter the tracking number, your last name and the given captcha and obtain the visa status.

Please note your visa application may take between 15-30 working days for complete processing. Once your visa is approved, you can collect it from the consulate office.

Reasons for Germany Visa Rejection

A few reasons leading to German visa rejection may include the following scenarios:

• Failure to provide a valid passport
• Selection of the ‘wrong category’ during visa application
• Presenting incomplete information about the trip itinerary
• Lack of round-trip ticket booking
• Involvement of court in the country of residence
• Insufficient bank balance
• Failure to provide proof of travel insurance

Secure Your Trip to Germany with the Best Travel Insurance

To ensure a successful German visa application, you should fill out the visa application form carefully. You should also ensure all your documents are in place for submission and evaluation. Additionally, applying for a German visa requires you to provide proof of additional funds, as your travel insurance is a prerequisite for travelling to Germany. Thus, you must consider buying Schengen travel insurance for Germany. Travel insurance for international trips is imperative to provide cover against numerous unforeseen events that you might encounter during travel.

The best travel insurance for Germany would cover you not just under the circumstances of medical emergencies but also when you encounter unforeseen trip hiccups. A few scenarios when travel insurance can come to your rescue are as mentioned below:

• During a medical emergency: Travel health insurance covers you when you face hospitalisation during your trip itinerary.
• If you lose your checked-in belongings: When you face loss or theft, your travel insurance can rescue you.
• Under Personal Liability: Based on your policy terms & conditions, your travel insurance covers you with new-age benefits such as liability coverage.
• During Unforeseen Accidents and Deaths: Your travel insurance also provides a lump sum if you or an insured member encounters an unfortunate accident or event of death.