Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Internship / FellowshipVerified 2026-04-20Germany Short-term Internship / Fellowship Visa (Schengen Type C)
The Germany Internship / Fellowship Visa (Schengen Type C) is for Indian interns and fellowship recipients doing short-term paid or observational engagements at German companies / institutions. Internships are legally considered 'work' and almost always require Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) pre-approval.
Jurisdiction Notice — Germany Schengen Visa
SureshotVisa handles the New Delhi jurisdiction.
All Germany Schengen visa applications accepted in India are forwarded to the German Consulate General, Mumbai, for decision — but you must apply at the VFS Application Centre that matches your place of habitual residence. Choosing the wrong jurisdiction means your appointment is cancelled and the application is refused at the counter.
Covered States (New Delhi jurisdiction)
- ✓Haryana
- ✓Himachal Pradesh
- ✓Jammu and Kashmir
- ✓Punjab
- ✓Rajasthan
- ✓Sikkim
- ✓Uttar Pradesh
- ✓Uttarakhand
Covered UTs (New Delhi jurisdiction)
- ✓Chandigarh
- ✓NCT of Delhi
- ✓Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- ✓Lakshadweep (incl. Minicoy & Amini)
Outside these states/UTs? Germany splits Schengen applications across Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru consulates by residence. We can still guide you end-to-end — document checklist, appointment slot at the right VAC, and submission support. Contact us first before booking anything.
Processing
15 working days from when the application reaches the German Consulate General, Mumbai (not counting the up to 2 working days VFS takes to transport your file)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Starting Fee
€91
Apply At
14 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Germany visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1You MUST apply at the VFS Application Centre covering your place of habitual residence. New Delhi jurisdiction covers Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand + UTs of Chandigarh, NCT of Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep. Applying at the wrong VAC means your application is refused at the counter.
- 2Applications must be submitted NOT earlier than 6 months before and NOT later than 15 working days before intended travel.
- 3Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond scheduled return, issued within the last 10 years, have at least 2 blank pages, and must not have any observations on the data page.
- 4All documents, forms, and declarations must be submitted in German or English. Documents in other languages require certified German/English translation — missing translation = 'document not submitted'.
- 5Travel medical insurance must cover the ENTIRE duration of the Schengen trip, minimum €30,000 coverage, and is only accepted from approved Indian Travel Insurance companies (list at india.diplo.de/in-en/service/-/1984578).
- 6Fingerprints are collected at VFS for every in-person submission unless collected within the last 59 months for a previous Schengen visa.
- 7Photo specs: 35×45 mm, white background, face 70–80% of frame, ≤6 months old. Name-observation passports are NOT accepted.
- 8Incomplete documentation alone is grounds for refusal — the visa section is NOT obliged to request missing documents before denying your application.
- 9A booked flight ticket does NOT lead to priority processing. Do not purchase tickets until the visa is issued; reservations are enough.
- 10Internships are considered 'work' and require Federal Employment Agency pre-approval (Zustimmung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit) obtained by the German host BEFORE you apply. Missing approval = automatic rejection. Exemptions: already-degreed researchers at universities (apply for Guest Scientist instead), students enrolled at German university during the stay, GIZ skilled-worker/manager programs.
Who Can Apply
- Indian interns with signed contract at a German company / institution
- Fellowship recipients on observational programs (Hospitation) at German hospitals / institutions
- Students completing internships at German universities / public research institutes as part of their Indian university curriculum
- GIZ-organised skilled-worker / manager internships
Not eligible under this visa:
- Internships without Federal Employment Agency pre-approval (when required)
- Research without academic degree — apply for this visa; WITH academic degree — apply for Guest Scientist instead
- Long-term internships over 90 days — apply for National Visa D
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult — Schengen Short Stay (Type C) | €91 |
| Children 6–12 years | €45 |
| Children below 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,022 |
Embassy fees are set in EUR by the German Consulate General, Mumbai — the INR charged at VFS varies with the daily exchange rate. New Visa Fee of €91 is effective from 29 January 2026 for all cities. VFS service charge of ₹2,022 (inclusive of CGST 9% + SGST 9%) is fixed. Fees are payable in Cash / Visa / Mastercard / Amex / Rupay / Demand Draft (in favour of VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd) / UPI. All visa fees, VFS service charges, and value-added service fees are non-refundable regardless of visa outcome. Recipients of public German scholarships MAY be exempt from visa fee if scholarship details are submitted WITH the application.
Documents Required
Core Documents
- !VIDEX online application form (printed with barcodes, signed)
- !Signed Declaration of True and Complete Information
- !Signed Declaration on Travel and Health Insurance
- !Valid passport (3 months beyond return, 2 blank pages, ≤10 years old)
- !Copy of biometric & address page
- !One biometric photo 35×45mm
- !Personal covering letter — motivation for Germany + planned tasks
Internship Documentation
- !(Pre-) Approval of Federal Employment Agency
Zustimmung bzw. Einvernehmen der Bundesagentur für Arbeit. Must be obtained by the hosting German company/institution directly at the Federal Employment Agency — NOT by the visa section. Absolutely required for internships; missing = automatic rejection. Exemptions exist for students (see below) and GIZ programs.
- !Covering letter from German inviting institution on letterhead
Traveller name, passport number, purpose, duration, activities planned.
- !Original signed sending letter from Indian institution on letterhead
Traveller name, passport number, purpose, duration, financing details.
- !Full copy of internship / fellowship contract
OR if unsigned: detailed invitation letter covering tasks, obligations, payments, patient contact details (for medical).
- ○For Indian students: confirmation of current enrolment + study status
Subject, degree being obtained, mark sheet from Indian university.
Accommodation & Travel
- !Proof of accommodation (hotel / campus residence / private with host sponsorship)
- !Flight reservation
- !Overseas travel medical insurance — €30,000 min, approved Indian insurer
Financial Documents
- !Proof of finance of entire trip (if not in sending/invitation letter)
- ○Sponsor documentation if sponsored
- ○If employed: pay slips + contract + leave + bank statements + ITR/Form 16
- ○If self-employed: company registration + GST + ITR + bank statements
- ○If student/retired/unemployed: appropriate proof
Civil Status
- ○Marriage / divorce / custody / birth / death certificates (if applicable)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Check FEA approval requirement
Internships almost always need FEA approval — hosting company/institution must obtain this directly at Bundesagentur für Arbeit BEFORE you apply. Exemptions: Guest Scientist status (apply for that visa instead), students enrolled at German university, GIZ-organised programs.
Get signed contract + invitation + sending letters
Contract (or detailed invitation with task/payment/patient contact details for medical), German host letter, Indian institution sending letter.
Fill VIDEX + sign declarations
Include motivation letter detailing Germany motivation + planned tasks.
Book VFS appointment
At visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu matching jurisdiction.
Submit + biometrics
Pay €91 + ₹2,022 (or claim scholarship exemption upfront). Processing 15 working days.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (VIDEX online)
MUST be filled online on the VIDEX website. Print ALL pages including the barcodes and sign. Paper-only forms are not accepted.
Declaration of True and Complete Information (§54 AufenthG)
Signed declaration confirming all application information is true. Mandatory for all categories.
Declaration on Travel and Health Insurance
Signed declaration confirming €30,000 minimum travel health insurance for the full duration of stay.
Power of Attorney — Annexure A
Only if the application is submitted via a representative or travel agent.
VFS Germany Downloads & Checklists
Per-category checklists (Tourism, Business, Visit, Airport Transit, Trade Fair, Culture/Sport, Medical, Student, Internship, Seamen).
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- Fellowship (Hospitation) is observational ONLY — legally NOT considered work. Internship IS considered work. The Consulate reviews the actual activities to decide which category applies — don't mis-label or the visa gets refused + possible legal consequences for the German host.
- For medical internships / fellowships, the invitation must describe WHICH PATIENT CONTACTS you'll have and WHICH TASKS you'll perform — vague descriptions lead to rejection.
- Exemptions from FEA approval: (1) already have academic degree + research at university/public institute = apply for Guest Scientist visa. (2) Will be enrolled at German university for the stay — submit enrolment proof. (3) Organised by GIZ for skilled workers / managers.
- GIZ (German International Cooperation) programs usually handle FEA approval themselves — coordinate with their India office for documentation.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.FEA pre-approval missing when required
- 2.Invitation letter vague on tasks / payments / activities
- 3.Mis-labelled as fellowship when it's actually an internship (or vice versa)
- 4.Medical internship invitation missing patient-contact description
- 5.Wrong VFS jurisdiction
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Internship and Fellowship?+
Do I really need Federal Employment Agency approval?+
My German host says I don't need FEA approval — is that right?+
I'm doing hospital internship — what extra detail?+
Can my family accompany me?+
I'm a DAAD fellow — fee exemption?+
Let us prepare your Germany Short-term Internship / Fellowship Visa — (Schengen Type C) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Germany Visa Types
Germany Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to Germany for tourism, sightseeing, and leisure — up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Germany Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay business visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, negotiations, conferences, or contracts in Germany — up to 90 days.
Germany Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family members, relatives, or friends in Germany — up to 90 days.
Germany Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Type A)
Schengen airport transit visa for Indian citizens transiting through a German airport's international zone without leaving it.
Germany Trade Fair / Exhibition Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian exhibitors and visitors of German trade fairs (Hannover Messe, IFA, Drupa, Automechanika, etc.).
Germany Medical Treatment Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen visa for Indian citizens seeking specific medical treatment at a German hospital / clinic — up to 90 days.
Germany Culture / Sport / Religious Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian artists, sportspeople, film crews, cultural performers, and religious workers invited to Germany.
Germany Seamen Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian seafarers joining ships at German ports — requires CDC, shipping company invitation, and Indian agent documentation.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Germany website and Embassy of Germany. Last verified 2026-04-20. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.