General Information on Visa Requirements, New Delhi
Find all the necessary information required to apply for a visa, along with application forms for a short-stay visit (Schengen visa, upto 90 days) or a long-stay visit/permanent stay (residence permit).
The German Embassy in New Delhi serves:
| applicants from INDIA and other nationals residing in the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Minicoy and Amindive. |
|---|
| applicants from BHUTAN or other nationals residing in BHUTAN |
Applicants from other parts of India need to apply at the German Consulates General in Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata or Mumbai, as per their state of residence.
Please note, the visa fee for Schengen visa as well as residence permits is €60. The visa fee should be paid in Indian Rupees according to the exchange rate fixed by the Embassy. All children under 6 years of age, as well as spouses and children of all ages of EU Nationals can apply free of charge.
Please be advised that visa applications for certain nationals, including holders of Indian IC (Tibet), Afghanistan, Nigeria, Iraq and Iran (among others) require a processing time of at least 10 days.
Kindly note that due to a high volume of queries received by the Embassy, we will not respond to standard inquiries that are already clarified under the 'Consular Services & Visa Information' section of this website.
GERMAN VISA RECEPTION CENTRE
All applicants for any type of visa are advised to first report to the Visa Reception Centre to get an appointment for a personal interview at the German Embassy's Visa Section, as well as for general counselling and advise on visa issues.
Due to an extremely high number of visa applications, kindly arrange for your appointment early. Business Visa applicants should be able to be scheduled within 1 to 3 days; for family reunion visas, the waiting time at present is approximately four weeks.
For upcoming trade fairs in Germany (for example MEDICA, Heimtextil, DOMOTEX, etc.), you are requested to apply well in advance - approximately five weeks - for the necessary visa.
Visa applicants are required to report to the Embassy for a personal interview.
Minors have to be accompanied by their legal guardians or any authorised person carrying proof in the form of a written authorisation attested by a notary public, and a photo ID.
Exemptions:
| Applicants holding at least two Schengen visas from within the last 24 months prior to the date of application, having travelled on the visa and returned to India in due time. |
|---|
| Applicants holding a previous visa with a validity of one, two or five years and having travelled on this visa within the last 24 months according to the Schengen regulations (max. stay in the Schengen area of 90 days per 6 months) prior to the date of application. |
However, if deemed necessary, the personal appearance of the above mentioned persons may also be asked for.
Information on appointment booking
Important Information on Visa Requirements
Please study the following section carefully in order to present a complete application. Presenting an incomplete application may result in immediate visa refusal.
Visa Categories (Short Term Visa/Long Term Visa)
Visa Applicants from Bhutan
The German Embassy in New Delhi serves applicants from Bhutan and other nationals residing in Bhutan as there is currently no German diplomatic or consular service available in Bhutan.
Please note, all applicants, regardless of their position in the Bhutanese Government, Administration or society, must apply in person at the German Embassy in New Delhi.
To facilitate visa arrangements, Bhutanese nationals are kindly requested to contact this Embassy well in advance of their travel schedule.
Contact for Visa services, Bhutan
Please be advised that, at this moment, no travel insurance agency from Bhutan is accredited with us. Therefore, it is mandatory to arrange your travel insurance either through your German host or through an Indian insurance company.
Tibetans travelling on Indian IC
Please be advised that visa applications for holders of Indian IC (Identity Certificate) require a processing time of at least 10 days. Furthermore, it is mandatory to hold a Return visa (valid until at least two weeks after your intended return to India) apart from your residence permit (NORI, no objection to return to india).
Holders of Indian Diplomatic Passports
Holders of Indian Diplomatic Passports do not need a visa to travel to Germany for a short term visit of up to 90 days. Please be prepared to provide proof of travel insurance upon entering Germany.
As this exemption is based on a bilateral agreement, you are kindly requested to check possible visa requirements for transit through third countries and/or onward destinations.
Holders of UN Laissez-passer Travel Documents
Holders of UN Laissez-passer Travel Documents, regardless of their nationality, on official duty only, do not need a visa to travel to Germany for a short term visit of up to 90 days. Please be prepared to provide proof of your official mission as well as your nationality (national passport) upon entering Germany. You are also expected to provide proof of travel insurance upon entering Germany.
Holders of UN Laissez-passer Travel Documents intending to enter Germany for a private visit, must apply for a visa with their national passport. You are kindly advised to follow the general rules and requirements provided by the German Embassy in New Delhi.
