Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Trade Fair / ExhibitionVerified 2026-04-20Germany Trade Fair / Exhibition Visa (Schengen Type C)
The Germany Trade Fair Visa (Schengen Type C) is for Indian exhibitors and visitors of trade fairs / exhibitions in Germany — Hannover Messe, IFA, Drupa, Automechanika, Medica, and many more. Requires either an Exhibitor Pass, Visitor Pass, OR stand allocation + payment confirmation.
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.
- 10The start date of an exhibition / trade fair does NOT result in preferred processing of the application. Apply 3–4 weeks before the fair.
Who Can Apply
- Indian exhibitors with allocated stand at a German trade fair
- Indian visitors holding an individual Visitor Pass for a specific German trade fair
- Company representatives attending trade fairs on behalf of an Indian company
Not eligible under this visa:
- Without an Exhibitor/Visitor Pass or Stand Confirmation + payment — apply for Business Visa instead
- Fair scheduled more than 6 months from application date — apply closer to fair dates
Previously Refused?
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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. IMPORTANT: Exhibitors MAY be exempted from the visa fee ONLY if the individual Exhibitor Pass is provided with the application. Later submittal of the Exhibitor Pass will NOT result in visa fee reimbursement. Holders of Visitor Passes are NOT exempted.
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
Trade Fair Documentation
- !Exhibitor Pass OR Visitor Pass
Individual pass matching the traveller's name. Exhibitor Pass may exempt visa fee (Visitor Pass does NOT).
- ○OR Stand Confirmation + Payment confirmation for stand allocation
Alternative to Exhibitor Pass — for exhibitors only. See remarks on visa fee exemption above.
Company Documentation
- !Original covering letter from Indian company on company letterhead
Must state: traveller name, passport number, purpose of trip, duration, brief itinerary.
- !Certificate of Incorporation + GST Registration + Proof of Company Registration
ALL three required in addition to the covering letter.
Additional Schengen Appointments
- ○Invitation letter from Schengen business partner (if meeting outside the fair)
On company letterhead, mentioning purpose, itinerary, personal data.
- ○Detailed schedule of business meetings
ONLY for stays over 30 days.
Accommodation + Travel
- !Proof of accommodation (hotel reservations)
- ○Accommodation in each Member State if travelling to multiple
- !Flight reservation
- !Overseas travel medical insurance — €30,000 min, approved Indian insurer
Financial Documents (Applicant)
- ○If employed: pay slips (3 months) + employment contract + leave sanction + bank statements + ITR/Form 16
- ○If self-employed: company incorporation + GST + ITR last 2 years + bank statements
- !Applicant's bank statements last 3 months, stamped
Sponsor Documentation (if applicable)
- ○If sponsored by Indian company: ITR acknowledgment for last 3 years (latest first, e.g. 2022-2020)
- ○If sponsored by German company: Sponsor letter + passport copy + German residence permit (if non-German)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Get Exhibitor/Visitor Pass from fair organiser
Register with Messe Frankfurt / Hannover / Messe Berlin / etc. and obtain individual pass matching your name.
Fill VIDEX + sign declarations
Print with barcodes, sign.
Collect company docs
Company letterhead covering letter + COI + GST + Company Registration proof.
Book VFS appointment
At visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu matching your jurisdiction.
Submit + biometrics
Pay €91 + ₹2,022 (exhibitors may be exempt with valid Exhibitor Pass). 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
- If you're an exhibitor, submit the individual Exhibitor Pass WITH your application — it may waive the €91 visa fee. Submitting it later does NOT get you a refund.
- Fair start date does NOT trigger priority processing — apply 3–4 weeks before the fair.
- Large fairs (Hannover Messe, IFA) have extremely tight accommodation — book hotels 2–3 months out and include hotel vouchers with your application.
- If you have business meetings outside the fair too, include invitation letters from each German partner on their letterhead.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Exhibitor/Visitor Pass missing or not individually named
- 2.Company documents incomplete (need all three: COI + GST + Proof of Registration)
- 3.Accommodation booking doesn't cover the full fair duration
- 4.Applied too close to fair — processing couldn't complete in time
- 5.Wrong VFS jurisdiction
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Exhibitor Pass exempt me from the €91 visa fee?+
Can I combine a trade fair visit with business meetings elsewhere in Germany?+
Which trade fairs qualify?+
How early should I apply?+
My Exhibitor Pass will arrive only 1 week before the fair — can I apply without it?+
What if the fair organiser sent only one Visitor Pass for 3 team members?+
Let us prepare your Germany Trade Fair / Exhibition 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 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.
Germany Guest Scientist / Research / Short-term Student Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian scientists, researchers, and students visiting Germany for research, academic programs, or short courses under 90 days.
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.