Germany has relaxed rules for Indian tourists who want to apply for visas, centralizing visa processing at its center in Mumbai.
Appointments can be booked as well as Schengen visa applications can be submitted at all Visa Application Centers across the country run by VFS Global, regardless of the applicant’s place of residence, The Economic Times quoted German missions in India as saying. Told.
“Appointments can be booked and Schengen visa applications can be submitted at all Visa Application Centers run by VFS Global across India, regardless of your place of residence,” the German Missions in India said in a statement.
The report also states that if an application centre, which is closest to the applicants’ hometown, is fully booked, applicants can check other Indian major cities for available appointment slots. It added that this will make it easier for everyone to book appointments.
The German Embassy said, “If the application center closest to your hometown is already fully booked, please do not hesitate to check for available appointment slots in one of the other major Indian cities.”
However, the report also stresses that the relaxation of rules does not apply to Indian nationals applying for German national visas (D-visa category), such as employment, student or family reunification visas.
As of now, all Indians need to obtain a visa to be allowed to enter Germany for travel purposes as the country has not reached a visa-liberalisation agreement or any other bilateral agreement allowing its citizens to enter Germany visa-free. Will give
A Schengen visa allows its holders to stay in any member state of the Schengen Area for tourism as well as business purposes for up to 90 days within 180 days.
A German Schengen visa costs 80 Euros (roughly Rs. 6,700) for adults and 40 Euros (roughly Rs. 3,400) for minors, while a work permit (or visa) costs 75 Euros (roughly Rs. 6,400). Visa fee is waived for children below six years of age.
The earliest that an application for a Schengen visa can be submitted is three months prior to travel. Apart from this, applicants also need to submit all the required documents.
Those applying for a German student visa must submit a visa application form, which includes two recent photographs, as well as a valid passport that must be valid for three months beyond the planned stay in the Schengen area.
In addition to the documents mentioned above, applicants must also submit proof of purchase of health insurance, round-trip itinerary reservation, proof of financial means, proof of residence and an invitation letter in their application. Depending on the employment status, applicants may also be asked for additional documents.
Earlier in 2022, the German National Tourism Office had projected a year-on-year growth of 214 per cent in Indian tourist arrivals in Germany. It further revealed that 55 per cent of Indians travel to the country for leisure while 38 per cent travel for business.
