Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visit / Family & FriendsVerified 2026-04-20Germany Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
The Germany Visit Visa (Family & Friends) is for Indian citizens visiting relatives or friends who are legally resident in Germany. The visit is sponsored or hosted by the German-based family member / friend. Maximum 90 days per 180-day period.
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.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens visiting family (spouse, children, parents, siblings, extended relatives) in Germany
- Parents visiting their children in Germany (including pregnancy/childbirth visits)
- Indian citizens visiting friends legally resident in Germany
- Grandparents visiting grandchildren
Not eligible under this visa:
- Applicants whose German-based host refuses to provide invitation + sponsorship documents
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for National Visa D / Family Reunification
- Spouse-reunion / permanent settlement in Germany — apply for Family Reunion National Visa instead
Previously Refused?
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Most refusal letters read like code. We decode the real reason behind your refusal — often different from what the letter says — and rebuild your case with a refusal-specific strategy. Refused applicants pay the same fee as first-time applicants, and we back it with our dedicated refusal-rebuild process.
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.
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
Valid 3 months beyond return, 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years.
- !Copy of biometric + address page + last page of Indian passport
- !One biometric photo 35×45mm
White bg, 70–80% face coverage, ≤6 months old.
- !Personal covering letter
Purpose of visit, relationship to host, intended dates and itinerary.
Host Documentation (Family/Friend in Germany)
- !Original signed invitation letter from family/friend in Germany
Must include: host's address and contact details; intended period and duration of stay; proof of legal residence (passport/national ID first+last page + residence permit if non-German); traveller's name and passport number; purpose and itinerary.
- !Host's proof of legal residence in Germany
Copy of passport/national ID (first and last page if Indian) + copy of residence permit (if non-German citizen).
- ○If visiting your child: additional evidence of child's legal residence
Only if the child is not already the inviting person.
- ○If visiting a pregnant person: Mutterpass (maternity pass)
Accommodation
- !Proof of accommodation at host's residence
Host's confirmation + signature + address proof + passport/German ID copy. OR hotel reservations if not staying with host.
Financial Documents
- ○Sponsor letter + passport copy of host/sponsor + host's bank statements (3 months, stamped)
If host sponsors the trip.
- ○Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter)
If host has one — provides strong financial backing.
- ○If sponsor is spouse — marriage certificate
- ○If sponsor is parent — birth certificate
- !Applicant's own bank statements last 3 months, stamped
- ○Applicant's ITR last 2 years OR Form 16
If employed / self-employed.
- ○If employed: pay slips + employment contract + leave sanction letter
- ○If retired: pension statements last 3 months + income proof
- ○If student: enrolment certificate + NOC from school/university
Civil Status & Minor Applicants
- ○Marriage / divorce / custody / birth / death certificates (if applicable)
- ○For minors: birth certificate + both parents' passport copies + signed forms from both parents
- ○For minors travelling alone: notarized consent from both parents/guardians
Travel Essentials
- !Flight reservation
Do NOT purchase tickets until visa is issued.
- !Overseas travel medical insurance — €30,000 min, approved Indian insurer
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Ask your host in Germany to prepare invitation letter
Host writes original signed invitation with all required details. Host sends scanned copy + hard copy (if possible) with passport/residence permit proof.
Fill VIDEX + sign declarations
Fill videx.diplo.de, print with barcodes, sign. Also sign the Declaration of True Information and Travel Insurance declaration.
Book appointment + gather documents
Book at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu at the VFS matching your jurisdiction. Assemble host docs, financial docs, civil status docs.
Submit at VFS
In-person submission + biometrics. Pay €91 + ₹2,022. Optional services available.
Decision from Mumbai
15 working days standard processing. Passport returned at VFS or via courier.
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
- Fill your VIDEX application online BEFORE visiting VFS — most VFS centres have limited PCs and on-site filling creates long queues.
- Apply 3–4 weeks before travel as the sweet spot — early enough to handle extended processing, not so early that bookings expire.
- Book travel health insurance ONLY from the approved Indian insurers list — VFS rejects insurance from non-approved providers even if coverage exceeds €30,000.
- Carry ALL previous passports with old Schengen stamps — the consulate wants to see full travel history.
- Your cover letter should match the trip: matching hotel nights, matching itinerary, and matching financial strength.
- If travelling across multiple Schengen countries, make sure Germany is your MAIN destination (most nights) — otherwise apply to the country where you spend the most nights.
- If your host can issue a Verpflichtungserklärung at their local Ausländerbehörde, it's the strongest financial proof — it makes the host legally responsible for your stay costs.
- If visiting for a birth, include the Mutterpass (German maternity pass) — consulates treat this as a priority-worthy reason.
- Relationship documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate) must be originals or apostilled copies — not plain photocopies.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Invitation letter missing host's passport/residence permit copy
- 2.Host's sponsorship insufficient and applicant's own finances also weak
- 3.Applicant's cover letter doesn't match host's invitation (different dates, different purpose)
- 4.Wrong VFS jurisdiction
- 5.Relationship with host not clearly documented
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my host in Germany need to have a Verpflichtungserklärung?+
Can my friend invite me, or only family?+
I want to visit my pregnant daughter in Germany — what extra document?+
My host is not a German citizen — is that okay?+
Can a minor visit grandparents in Germany alone?+
My Germany relative sponsors my trip — do I still need my own bank statements?+
Let us prepare your Germany Visit Visa — Family & Friends — (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 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.
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.