Germany tourist visa for Indians : Processing Guide 2025

The Prussian eagle signifies India’s need for a visa to enter Germany for any purpose—tourism, a short business meeting, long-term immigration, or job opportunities.

• Germany tourist visa: A short stay schengen visa (type C) with a stay of no more than 90 days within 180 days.
• Germany job seeker visa: A Residence Permit valid for six months for searching a job, which must be changed to a work permit after employment is secured.

Germany Tourist Visa from India

The following are the details to apply for a Germany tourist visa from India.

1. Schengen Visa Application Form: Completed, printed, and signed.
2. Passport: Valid for a minimum of 3 months after the date of return, with at least 2 blank pages.
3. Recent Photographs: 2 of 35×45 mm on a white background.
4. Cover letter: Purpose of travel, day-wise itinerary, and proof of intent to return.
5. Round trip flight and travel itinerary.
6. Proof of accommodation: Booking confirmation from hotels or invitation letter from a host residing in Germany.
7. Insurance: Travel insurance valid in the Schengen area with minimum coverage of €30,000.
8. Funds: Recent 3 to 6 months bank statements, income tax return, and salary bank statements.
9. Proof of employment: No objection certificate from the employer, business documents, or enrolment letter as a student.

For even more credibility, fill in forms like prior visas, land documents, and others. 

Booking Germany Visa Appointment (India) 

For booking the Germany Visa appointment, you must book an appointment through the VFS Global which processes the application for the German embassy and German consulates in India: 

• City and Visa options: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Kochi, and Visa Type: ‘Short-stay tourist’
• Pay and grant the appointment and biometric capturing.

All short-stay Germany visa applications from India are centrally processed at the German Consulate in Mumbai, no matter in which city you submit. 

Processing Time 

• There are Schengen regulations that strictly give the applicants a decision no more than 15 days from the time the application was submitted
• Executives from the German consulate are reporting that applicants from India tend to wait an average of 15 to 30 days, especially during the peak seasons
• There are suggestions for applicants to submit documents at least a month and a half before the intended travel date.

Germany Visa Fees (2025)

Note: Germany recently abolished the informal visa appeal (remonstration) process globally from July 1, 2025, making rejections final unless a formal legal route is taken

Read more

Germany Job Seeker Visa for Indians

What Is It?

The Germany job seeker visa (also known as Opportunity Card) lets eligible Indians stay for up to six months in Germany to look for a job. It is a form of a short-term residence permit, meaning formal employment cannot commence unless the visa is changed to a work/residence permit.

Read more

Processing Time

Processing time is usually 4 to 6 weeks, but many applicants report delays of up to 75 days due to additional documentation and verification requirements. Reddit. 

Requirements To apply, you will need:

1. A passport valid for 6 months.
2. Job seeker visa application form filled and signed.
3. Two passport-size photographs.
4. Proof of funds: blocked account in Germany (approximately €1,027/month for 6 months), a sponsor’s obligation letter, or good standing bank statements.
5. The documents attesting to the academic and/or professional qualifications that are the German equivalent of the German documents are included.
6. Curriculum Vitae or Resume is updated.
7. Insurance that is both medical and travel related that is valid for the duration of the stay.
8. Documented proof relating to accommodation available in Germany such as bookings for hotels and hostels.
9. Career objectives, strategies for seeking employment, and the justification for selecting Germany are elaborated.

While knowledge of the German language is not a strict requirement, knowledge at the B1/B2 is beneficial. German Reddit+4ItzEazy+4IDP IELTS India+4The Times of India. During the duration of stay in Germany, applicants are expected to apply to a minimum of 100 to 200 employers. Germany Visa. 

If employment is secured, the visa must be changed to the EU Blue Card or work residence permit at the (local immigration office) in Germany Visa. 

What Reasons are there to Select Germany? 

Germany is in the lists of countries that have a shortage in the workforce of skilled folk. The shortage is particularly in the IT, engineering, healthcare, and research industries. Nationwide Visasen_US. 

The partnership is more beneficial as in the year of 2022-2023, India and Germany signed a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility partnership which is aimed to promote skilled Indian workers. 

Germany was one of the countries that had high Schengen visa approval rating for Indians in the year 2024, with approximate 88.7% The Times of India.

Example Cover Letter: Visa Application For Germany

To: Visa Department, 

Re: Application for Germany Travel Visa  

Dear Sir or Madam, 

My name is [Name], and I would like to visit Germany for tourism purposes from [Start Date] to [End Date]. I wish to visit Berlin and Munich, and also take a look at Frankfurt. I am fully equipped with my round trip tickets, hotel reservations, and travel insurance. I work at [Company] and I am financially competent for this journey. I have attached all relevant documents. 

Thank you for your support. 

Yours sincerely, 

[Name], [Passport No], [Contact Info] 

Contact: German Embassy in India 

Embassy of Germany, New Delhi 

No. 6/50G, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021 

Note: Applications for Schengen Visa are processed at the Consulate in Mumbai irrespective of submission city using VFS Global.