To visit Germany or other countries in the Schengen Area, travelers need to obtain a Schengen visa. The Schengen visa application should be submitted to the embassy of the country that is the main destination or where the longest period will be spent. Different types of short-term visas like business, tourist, and training are issued according to the travel purpose. Applicants need to provide documentation like travel insurance, accommodation proof, financial documents or letters of invitation to support their visa application. Fees vary depending on applicant type and include a visa fee and service charge.

1. Module 10
Obtaining a Visa

2. To visit Germany you need a
Schengen visa

3. Germany is one of the 26 European countries forming the
Schengen Area, which have no border controls between them.
These countries issue a common visa, the Schengen visa, for
stay up to 90 days.

4. The Schengen visa has to be obtained from the Embassy of
the country where the main purpose of travel lies

5. In case of travel to multiple Schengen countries, submit
your application to the Embassy of the country, where
you will be staying for the maximum number of days

6. You could also submit the application to the Embassy of the
country of your point of first entry into the Schengen region if the
duration of stay is the same in more than one Schengen country

7. You may submit your application personally or through
a representative (with letter of authorization bearing
name of representative) at a VFS Application Centre

8. It is mandatory for travel agents
submitting seven (7) or more
applications to take an appointment

9. The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
at New Delhi reserves the right to ask the
applicant to appear for personal visa interview

10. You must carry a valid photo ID at the time
of submission and collection of visa

11. Visa applications should be submitted at the
German Visa Application Centers
The grant of visas will be decided by the German
Embassy in New Delhi only

12. Different kinds of visas are granted according to the
purpose of visit, primarily short term and long term
You can track your application online by providing
the receipt number and date of birth

13. Short Term Visas
Under short term visa following
categories are granted:
• Business
• Tourist/visiting family and
friends
• Guest scientist/visiting scholar
• Training/Internship

14. The Travel Agent’s involvement is limited in long term visa
applications, as applicants have to appear for a personal
interview at the Embassy with all necessary documents

15. Visa Fees
• Adult: 4,100
• Child (06- 12 years): 2,400
• Visa fee not required for children below six
years
• Service charge per visa application is to be
paid as per the rates below:
• To VFS: 1,011 (inclusive of taxes)
• Courier Fee (Optional): 258 (inclusive of taxes)
Note: The fees are as of April 30, 2015

16. Business Visa
All documents should be presented in the given order and in original
Please DO NOT staple any documents
Please fill checklist and bring along with documents
‣ Valid passport
‣ Duly filled in and signed application form
‣ Copy of your passport data page
‣ Travel Health Insurance
‣ Covering letter from the company with entire travel plan
‣ Invitation letter from the business partner (in English or German)
‣ For consultancy services please provide a confirmation letter from the
German client
‣ Detailed schedule of business meetings (only for stays over 30 days)
‣ Flight reservation, rail tickets, etc
‣ Proof of accommodation for entire stay in the Schengen area

17. Other Documents
‣ Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
‣ Company Income Tax Return (ITR) Form
‣ Company bank statement of the past three (3)
months, stating the drawing/credit limit
Proof of Financial Status
‣ If employed, salary slip of last three (3) months
‣ If self employed, certificate of proprietorship/other
proof of ownership (proof of land title, proof of
income from agriculture, sales form, etc.)
‣ Income Tax Returns or Form 17
Proof of Civil Status
‣ Marriage certificate, birth certificates of children,
death certificate of spouse, ration card, etc
‣ Two passport photos according to biometric
specifications, not older than 6 months

18. Tourist Visa
All documents should be presented in the given order and in original
Please DO NOT staple any documents
Please fill checklist and bring along with documents
‣ Valid passport
‣ Duly filled in and signed application form
‣ Copy of passport data page
‣ Travel Health Insurance
‣ Personal covering letter
For Minors
‣ If traveling unaccompanied by parent(s), consent letter signed by
both parents and the applicant
‣ Form signed by both parents
‣ Copy of the parent(s)’ passports data page
‣ No-objection certificate of school or university (if student)

19. Documents for Guest Scientist or
Visiting Scholar Visa
‣ Valid passport
‣ Application form duly signed
‣ One copy of passport data page
‣ Travel health insurance
‣ Personal covering letter
‣ No-objection letter of your university/research institute
‣ Invitation letter from German university/research institute
confirming conditions of stay in Germany including payment or
scholarship
‣ Proof of academic qualification (degree certificate or mark-sheets)
‣ Flight reservation, rail tickets etc.
‣ Proof of accommodation for entire stay in Schengen area
‣ Two passport pictures according to biometric specifications, not
older than six months

20. VFS Germany India Page
www.vfs-germany.co.in/NewDelhi_NorthIndia/business_docreq.html
German Missions in India
www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/06__Consu__Visa/visa__new/SCHENGEN/
SCHENGEN__VAC.html
Visa for Guest Scientists
http://www.vfs-germany.co.in/NewDelhi_NorthIndia/guest_scientist_docreq.html
Visa for Training
http://www.vfs-germany.co.in/NewDelhi_NorthIndia/visa_training_intership_docreq.html
Checklists for Visa Documents

21. End of Module
You can proceed to the quiz now