Germany visa requirements for Indians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Indians visiting Germany

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a German Visa.

  • A Schengen visa application form that has been appropriately filled and signed.
  • An original passport with a validity of more than 6 months from the traveler's entry date.
  • Two blank pages of the passport for visa stamps.
  • Identical passport-sized photographs which fulfill the visa photo requirements set by the Schengen states.
  • Health insurance with a coverage of £30,000 for the entire Schengen area.
  • Proof of accommodation provision for the traveler.
  • Host details (name, address, passport details, etc) for travelers who have hosts in Germany. A letter of invitation from the host should back this up.
  • Bank statements dating back to the last 3 months of consistent use. There can be 0ther proof of financial sustenance as well.
  • A detailed flight itinerary.
  • A declaration of accuracy of information. 
  • Application form should be completed in either English or German.
  • Return ticket to India or Onward ticket to the other country.

Germany Visa for Indians

Facts about Germany

Visiting Germany is a vacation worth taking for every traveler. Asides from being one of the safest travel destinations in the world, the country is rich in history, culture, outdoor activities, and of course its cities. The country is home to the world’s leading trade fairs, the ITB Berlin. Also, the Oktoberfest which takes place in Munich between September and October is one of the main events which draws a lot of tourists to the country. The Oktoberfest draws as much as 6 million tourists to the country yearly. Tourists in the country also have the liberty of engaging in winter sports like alpine skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding, and cross-country skiing in various regions in the country.
 
Germany is the ninth most visited country in the world. In 2012, over 30.4 million international tourists visited the country bringing over $38 billion in international tourism. The tourism industry is responsible for contributing 4.5% of the German GDP and provides 2 million jobs. The number of visitors is expected to increase significantly in the years to come.

Types of Germany Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Visitor Visa Three weeks 90 days
Student visa Three weeks For the duration of course study in Germany.
Work visa Three weeks As stated on the contract.

General Requirements for Germany Visa

  • A Schengen visa application form that has been appropriately filled and signed.
  • An original passport with a validity of more than 6 months from the traveler's entry date.
  • Two blank pages of the passport for visa stamps.
  • Identical passport-sized photographs which fulfill the visa photo requirements set by the Schengen states.
  • Health insurance with a coverage of £30,000 for the entire Schengen area.
  • Proof of accommodation provision for the traveler.
  • Host details (name, address, passport details, etc) for travelers who have hosts in Germany. A letter of invitation from the host should back this up.
  • Bank statements dating back to the last 3 months of consistent use. There can be 0ther proof of financial sustenance as well.
  • A detailed flight itinerary.
  • A declaration of accuracy of information. 
  • Application form should be completed in either English or German.
  • Return ticket to India or Onward ticket to the other country.
Germany Visitor Visa Germany Student visa Germany Work visa

Germany Visitor Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is given to applicants who intend to stay in Germany for a short period for purposes such as tourism, visiting and vacationing.
  • The type of visa issued to travelers going to Germany for a short period is the Schengen visa. This is because Germany is part of the 26 Schengen countries in Europe.
  • There are uniform rules that guide the Schengen visa and the possession of this visa (if issued for multiple-entry) allows travelers go to as many Schengen countries as they want to.
  • Travelers on this visa go to Germany for other reasons such as business trips, holiday or to visit relatives as well.
  • For the short-stay visa, the reasons or purposes for travelers' visits would be clearly stated on their visas. The purpose of your trip to Germany must be plausible and comprehensible.
  • Applicants' passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond their stay in Germany.
  • Passports that contain illegible data cannot be accepted and your passport must not be damaged.
  • The short-stay visa is valid for up to 90 days within a 180 day period in Germany. Your date of entry starts your 180- day period.
  • The Schengen visas can be issued for one, two or multiple entries. These entries depend on the visa holder’s reason for travel. 
  • If you will be leaving and re-entering the Schengen area during your visit, you will need to apply for a double or multiple-entry visa.   
  • Please note that with a Schengen visa you are not allowed to work or study.

Germany Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The student visa is for students who aim to study in any of Germany's learning institutions.
  • All documents submitted for this visa application must be original and should have 2 clear photocopies for the application.
  • You are required to submit documents showing that you've been accepted into an institution in Germany is required.
  • You'll also need to show proof that you satisfy the conditions for access to studying in Germany. This proof could be academic results or previously obtained learning certificates.
  • Applicants are to provide proof of travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 covering any medical emergency for the duration of their stay.
  • A medical certificate stating you don’t carry any diseases that may endanger public health (such as TB, diseases that require quarantine and other infectious diseases) is also required.
  • Proof of financial sustenance for the entire stay in Germany is needed. This proof could be a valid scholarship offer, recent bank statement from your sponsor or guardian, letter attesting sponsorship and a valid ID of your sponsor.
  • You need to have €8640 in your bank account before applying for a German student visa.
  • Additional documents can be required by the visa officer upon the visa interview. You are expected to appear in person for the visa interview.
  • Be cautious about your passport validity. It needs to be valid for your entire period of stay, including the expected extended period.
  • Bear in mind that the incomplete visa application can be refused. Do not stick your photographs in the visa application form.
  • Original documents can be required upon arrival at the airport.
  • The fee for the German student visa application is £75.

Germany Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to foreigners who have been given paid employment in Germany.
  • This visa is referred to as the Type-D Schengen visa or the National visa. This is a long-stay visa issued for Schengen states.
  • Before initiating the visa application process, you must have gotten a job in the country.
  • To be issued this visa, your reasons must be clearly stated and will be duly indicated on your visa.
  • The national visa grants entry to Germany on the basis that you will be applying for a residence permit.
  • It allows you to enter Germany as a potential resident and stay while you apply for residency. 
  • You are expected to convert your visa into a residence permit within three months of arriving in Germany. 
  • Your visa can only be converted into the corresponding type of residence permit (a visa for work must be converted into a working residence permit).
  • There should be a letter from your employer in the country confirming that you have been offered a job in Germany.
  • The address of the company, as well as your job description, should be clearly stated in the letter.
  • Your employer should provide proof that there was no German available to take a job before you were offered this job.

Germany Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Visitor Visa

60.00 (EUR)

Student visa

75.00 (EUR)

Work visa

99.00 (EUR)

Germany Visa Application Centres & Embassies in India

Location

Address

German Embassy in New Delhi

No. 6/50G, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, P.O. Box 613, New Delhi 110021, India.

www.india.diplo.de

info@new-delhi.diplo.de

(+91) (11) 4419 9199

German Consulate General in Chennai

No. 9, Boat Club Road, R.A. Puram, Chennai 600 028, India.

www.chennai.diplo.de

info@chennai.diplo.de

(+91) 44 2430 1600

German Honorary Consulate in Goa

Cosme Matias Menezes Pvt. Ltd. Cosme Matias Menezes Building, Rua de Ourem, Panaji, Goa 403 001, India.

goa@hk-diplo.de

(+91) 83 2243 0793

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the cost of living for foreigners expensive in Germany?

Germany is not expensive for foreigners as it is a budget-friendly country that helps travelers save money while they are there. Accommodation and food are quite cheap in Germany. The only thing to look out for is the fare for common high-speed trains as they can be very expensive.

Can the invitee inquire about the status and outcome of the visa procedure?

In principle, information on the visa procedure is only given to those involved in the procedure, i.e the applicant himself. They can, however, give the rights to another person most especially family members.

Is it possible to extend a German visa?

Yes, it is possible to extend the validity of visas only in exceptional cases. The extension must be done at the foreigners’ office covering your area of residence. If your German visa extension is on the grounds of compelling personal reasons or late entry, it costs 30 euros but you do not have to pay fees if your visa extension is due to a natural disaster or for humanitarian reasons.