Documents Required for German Visa

In 2017, a total of 2,049,055 Schengen visa applications were received by German embassies across the world, according to statistical research by Schengen Visa Info. Being the seventh-largest country in Europe, Germany does receive a huge percentage of visitors to Europe. In fact, it is the 9^th most visited country in the world.

The type of visa issued for a visit to Germany depends on the purpose of your visit. You need to apply via the Schengen Visa Application Form, which you can either download and fill up in ink or fill up online and then print it for submission. There also are two types of visas that you can depend on the duration of your stay, a short-term visa, valid for up to 90 days, or a long-term visa, for durations longer than 90 days.

What are the Documents Needed for German Visa

1. Application Form
   Make sure you fill in accurate and complete information in the application form. Misrepresenting any data or filling up inadequate information can lead to the rejection of your application. If you are applying for the first time, you will be required to submit the documents to the embassy in person, with a prior appointment. 
2. A valid passport
   Your passport and copies of your previous travel visas, if any, are required. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your date of return from Germany. 
3. Photos
   Two photos in passport format are required. This must be recent photos, taken within the last three months. You can refer to other photo details here.
4. Travel Health Insurance
   Documents that prove that you have insurance that covers costs of sudden illness, accidents and even death are needed. The minimum insurance required is €30,000, covering the entire Schengen area. 
5. Cover Letter
   A cover letter, stating the purpose of your travel, an overview of the itinerary, your firm intent to return to your home country and other basic details. 
6. Travel Itinerary
   Proof of your travel reservations, along with details of your engagements throughout the period of your stay in Germany. 
7. Civil Status
   Proof of your civil status, including marriage certificate, birth certificate, or any other proof of identity.
8. Financial Proof
   You will be required to produce bank statements to show that you can finance your stay and expenses in Germany. An international visitor is required to have at least €45 for each day spent in the nation.

Along with these, you will also need some supporting documents to prove that you are applying for the right visa type and have no criminal history.

Also read: German Visa Fees & Cost

Where to Submit the Documents?

It is important to book an appointment to submit the application form and documents at your nearest German embassy. Keep in mind that if you are more than 10 minutes late for the appointment, the embassy might not process your request. Make sure all your documents are arranged according to the order mentioned in the checklist.

Visa application take about 10-15 working days to be processed. You can track the status of your visa application here.