German Visa for Indian Citizens

Thinking about studying or working in Germany? If you're from India, you'll need to secure a visa before you go.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of applying for a German visa for Indians, help you determine which type of visa suits your needs, and suggest where to get your professional visa photo taken.

Table of contents

• German visa types available for Indian passport holders
• German visa requirements for Indian citizens
• How to apply for a German visa from India: step-by-step process
• Documents required for German visa application
• German visa photo requirements
• Get your German visa photo online
• Schengen visa photo app
• German visa fees for Indian passport holders
• German visa processing time in India

German visa types available for Indian passport holders

The types of German visas for Indian nationals depend on your travel purpose. Here's a breakdown of the main visa categories and types:

• Short-stay Visas (Schengen Visas):
  • Tourist & Visitor visa — for vacations, sightseeing, or visiting friends or family. It's valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
  • Business visa — designed for attending business meetings, conferences, or other professional activities. It's also valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day span.
  • Airport Transit visa — necessary for those passing through German airports on the way to countries outside the Schengen area. This visa doesn’t permit entry into the Schengen region.
• Long-stay Visas (National Visas):
  • Student visa — for students accepted to universities or academic programs in Germany, valid for the length of the program.
  • Employment visa — for individuals with job offers from German employers, including skilled workers and researchers.
  • Family Reunion visa — for those planning to join family members or spouses already living in Germany.
  • Job Seeker visa — allows a stay of up to six months to search for employment opportunities.
  • Guest Scientist visa — for those participating in long-term research projects.
  • Freelancer visa — for self-employed individuals intending to pursue work in Germany.
  • Language Course visa — for enrollment in language courses in Germany.
  • Medical visa — for those in need of medical treatment within Germany.
• Specialized visas:
  • Opportunity card (Chancenkarte) — for skilled professionals seeking residency while job hunting in Germany.
  • EU Blue card — aimed at highly educated professionals who have secured a job offer in Germany.

German visa requirements for Indian citizens

If you're an Indian national wanting to visit Germany for business, tourism, or other nonimmigrant reasons, you will need a visa. This requirement also applies if you're an Indian citizen legally residing in Australia, Canada, the UK, or the US, or if you hold an Indian Green Card.

When to apply for a German Schengen visa in India:

• Visiting Germany only: you should apply for a visa in Germany if it’s your sole destination within the Schengen area. For instance, if your travel plans are exclusively for Belgium, you would need to apply for a Belgian visa instead.
• Longest stay in Germany: if your itinerary includes multiple countries within the Schengen zone, apply for your visa in the country where you plan to stay the longest. For example, if your trip includes 5 days in Germany, 4 days in Belgium, and 3 days in the Netherlands, you should apply for the visa from Germany. However, if another country’s stay is longer, apply through that country instead.

How to apply for a German visa from India: step-by-step process

Can I get a German visa online? — Currently, Indian passport holders cannot obtain a German visa completely online. However, you can begin the process on websites like VFS Global. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through:

• Schedule a visa appointment:
  • VFS Global: Book a meeting at the nearest VFS Global Visa Application Center via their online platform.
  • German Embassy/Consulate: You might also need to book an appointment directly at the German Embassy or Consulate in India if instructed.
• At the application center, provide your fingerprints and a photograph along with the necessary documents.
• Cover the visa application fee and any extra service charges imposed by VFS Global.
• Once your German visa application is approved, pick up your visa from the location where you submitted your application, either the VFS Global Center or the German Embassy/Consulate.

Documents required for German visa application

Collect the documents according to the following German visa checklist:

• Visa application form. Complete the form online, print it with its barcode, and sign it personally.
• A passport, that is valid for at least three months beyond your return date and has at least two blank pages.
• Two color photos.
• A copy of the passport page with your photo and personal details.
• Copies of all filled pages of your national ID or internal passport.
• Transport tickets that confirm your return date. If traveling by your car, supply documents relating to your vehicle and a detailed travel itinerary.
• Accommodation booking or invitation letter.
• Medical insurance. Obtain coverage with a minimum of €30,000.
• The fee payment receipt.
• Proof of financial stability. This can be a recent three-month bank statement showing your balance. If someone else is funding your trip, include a sponsorship letter, their financial documents, and their ID copy.

The list of documents required for a Germany visa from India varies based on the visa type.

German visa photo requirements

Ensure your photo for the German visa satisfies these criteria:

• The photo size must be 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
• Your face should cover 70-80% of the photo area.
• The background should be plain light gray, free from patterns or shadows.
• Keep a neutral expression.
• Eyes should be clearly visible without glare, especially if you wear glasses.
• Head coverings are only allowed for religious reasons.
• The photo should be taken within the last six months.

Here is an example:

Get your German visa photo online

Research indicates that using professional photos boosts the acceptance rate for German visas for Indians. For the best results, consider using an online service like Visafoto, which boasts a 99.7% success rate for visa photos.

Simply take a picture that adheres to the guidelines and upload it. Don’t worry about the format, background, or size requirements — Visafoto will manage those. Having processed document photos since 2013, we understand the specifications for every document type around the globe.

First, take a photo of yours like this under daylight:

Upon completion, you'll receive both a digital copy suitable for online submissions and a print-ready version. If you're unsatisfied with the outcome, we offer free photo replacements, and if the photo is rejected by authorities, we provide a full refund.

Schengen visa photo app

Meet 7ID, the best app for creating Schengen visa photos! This user-friendly app makes it simple to produce ID, passport, and visa photos straight from your smartphone. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, 7ID is accessible to everyone.

To use 7ID, just upload your photo, choose the document type, and select your country. The app automatically adjusts your photo to match official standards, taking care of the size, format, and background color, while ensuring your face and eyes are perfectly aligned. You'll receive a digital file and a print template compatible with standard paper sizes such as 4×6, A4, A5, or B5.

Got questions? Our support team is available around the clock to help you out.

German visa fees for Indian passport holders

Here are the German visa prices for Indian citizens as of 2025:

Schengen visa fees:

• Adults: EUR 90 (around INR 8000, subject to current exchange rates).
• Children (ages 6-12): EUR 45 (about INR 4000).
• Children under 6: No charge.

National visa fees:

• All applicants: EUR 75 (approximately INR 6,750).

Additional costs:

• VFS Service fee: roughly INR 1697 for Schengen visas and INR 898 for national visas.

German visa processing time in India

How long does a German Schengen visa take? And can I get a German visa in one day? — Unfortunately, it's not possible to receive a German visa in just one day. For Schengen visas, the process usually takes between 15 to 21 working days. National visas often require more time, typically ranging from 1 to 3 months.