Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visit / Family & Friends Verified 2026-04-20Germany 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.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Germany visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
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
Where do you stand?
Tell us your situation
Pick what fits — no long forms, just a quick WhatsApp or a call.
Why files get refused
Most Germany visit visa refusals come down to a few fixable things
Refusals are common now, and the government fee is non-refundable. The good news: almost every reason below is something we can strengthen before you submit.
Invitation letter missing host's passport/residence permit copy
Host's sponsorship insufficient and applicant's own finances also weak
Applicant's cover letter doesn't match host's invitation (different dates, different purpose)
Wrong VFS jurisdiction
Relationship with host not clearly documented
What we actually do
We build a stronger file — you don't guess
Check your profile before filing
We tell you honestly if the case is ready — before you spend the government fee.
Review funds & ITR alignment
Bank statement, income and tax records presented the way officers expect.
Structure purpose & cover letter
A clear travel story that answers the officer's real questions.
Show strong ties to India
Job, business, property and family framed as genuine reasons to return.
Sponsor & invitation papers
If family is inviting you, we line their documents up with your profile — a common silent refusal trigger.
Guide the full submission
Online portal or VFS appointment, biometrics and passport steps — supported until the decision.
Refused before?
We rebuild refused Germany cases the right way.
Reapplying with the same file usually earns the same answer. We find the real reason first, then rebuild — no guarantees, just a properly prepared reapplication.
Before you reapply, we check:
- What your refusal letter actually says — and what it doesn't.
- Whether the officer's GCMS notes are worth pulling for the real reason.
- Which documents were weak: funds, employment, purpose, or ties.
- Whether reapplying now — or strengthening first — is the smarter move.
Same flat fee whether it's your first application or a reapplication.
Your whole Germany Visit Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong Germany file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
4.9★ · 90+ reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee.
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, justified
₹14,999 fee — what exactly is included?
Our professional fee isn't just form-filling. It covers complete Germany visitor visa preparation, document & refusal-risk review, financial-proof structuring, submission support and post-filing guidance. Tap any item to see what's inside.
Before we prepare your Germany visitor visa file, we understand your complete profile — every applicant is different, so no two files are built the same way.
- Purpose of travel
- Employment or business background
- Monthly income & savings
- Funds available for the trip
- Family ties in India
- Property / assets, if any
- Previous travel history
- Relatives, friends or a sponsor in Germany, if any
- Previous visa refusals, if any
- Planned trip duration
- Who is paying for the trip
- Whether the trip is realistic for your profile
A visitor visa isn't approved just because documents are attached — the purpose, funds, travel plan and return ties all have to support each other.
We don't hand everyone the same checklist. After understanding your profile, we build one for your exact case type:
- Salaried
- Business owner
- Self-employed
- Farmer / agriculture income
- Student or minor
- Retired parent
- Housewife / dependent
- Family visit
- Tourist visit
- Business visitor
- Previous refusal
- Sponsor-supported
- First-time traveller
This avoids missing key documents — and avoids piling on documents that aren't explained properly.
We review your documents before preparing and submitting, checking they're complete, readable, consistent and well-arranged:
- Passport & photographs
- Bank statements
- Salary slips
- ITR / Form 16
- Employment & leave-approval letters
- Business / GST / registration proof
- Income proof
- Property documents, if any
- Family & marriage documents, if applicable
- Invitation & sponsor documents, if applicable
- Previous refusal letter, if any
- Travel history, itinerary & stay proof
Funds are one of the most common refusal triggers. A high balance alone isn't enough if the money doesn't look genuine, stable, and tied to your income. We check:
- Whether the balance is reasonable for the trip
- Average balance vs trip cost
- Sudden large deposits that need explaining
- Salary / business income vs bank statement
- ITR vs income profile
- Whether you can afford the trip without leaning entirely on a sponsor
- Whether sponsor support is properly explained
- Whether funds look genuine and traceable
We help structure the financial side professionally so it reads as genuine, not borrowed for the application.
We help present a clear, realistic purpose — tourism, a holiday, a family/relative visit, an event, a business meeting, or parents visiting children — and make sure it lines up with your dates, funds, itinerary and documents.
A weak or vague purpose makes a file look doubtful. We keep it clear, simple and professional.
We prepare or structure the main explanation letter — a professional summary that makes your case easy for the officer to understand. It covers:
- Who you are and why you want to visit
- How long you'll stay and where
- Who is paying for the trip
- What you do in India
- Which financial documents are attached
- Your family ties in India
- Why you'll return after the visit
- If previously refused — what has changed since
This is not a guarantee letter — it's a clear, professional explanation of your case.
The officer must be satisfied you'll leave Germany after your authorized stay. We identify and present your reasons to return:
- Job continuity or business ownership
- Regular income source
- Spouse / children / parents in India
- Dependents and family responsibilities
- Property or assets in India
- Education or business commitments
- Previous travel compliance, if any
If someone in Germany is inviting you, we guide the sponsor-side documents:
- Invitation letter
- Sponsor status proof (passport / PR / citizenship)
- Sponsor employment & income proof
- Sponsor bank statement, if needed
- Relationship & communication proof
- Who bears expenses & stay arrangement
A sponsor supports the case but never guarantees approval — your own purpose, funds and ties must still be strong. We also flag if a file is leaning too heavily on the sponsor.
We guide or assist with the application form and details (online portal or the VFS/embassy form, depending on Germany), and check consistency between the form and your documents:
- Personal, passport & travel-history details
- Employment & education history
- Family information
- Purpose of visit & funding details
- Sponsor information, if applicable
- Previous-refusal declarations
- Background questions
- Correct document categories
Wrong, incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt this application — and future ones too.
How a file is lodged depends on the country — some are fully online, while others (most Schengen states) need you to complete the form first, then book a VFS appointment and submit a physical file in person. We guide the exact Germany process:
- Completing the application form first, where required, to unlock the appointment
- Booking the VFS / embassy appointment
- Arranging documents in the right order — for upload or the VFS counter
- Guiding the visa-fee payment
- Final review before submission or your VFS visit
- What to carry to the appointment (originals, photos, forms)
- Submitting / lodging and saving the confirmation
- What happens after submission
After submission, if biometrics are required, we guide you through:
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- VFS appointment booking
- Documents to carry
- What to expect at the VFS centre
- How biometrics update in your application
- What to do once biometrics are done
Biometrics fee is separate, paid to the authority / VFS as applicable.
Our support doesn't stop at submission. We stay connected and guide you on:
- How to check application updates
- What official messages mean
- What to do if more documents are requested
- What to do after a Passport Request
- VFS passport submission & courier return
- Decision-update explanation
- Next steps after approval
- Basic guidance if refused
What's not included (paid direct, at actual cost)
- Government / embassy visa fee
- Biometrics fee
- VFS service charges
- VFS courier & SMS charges
- VFS premium-lounge charges
- Travel insurance
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Translation charges
- Notary / attestation
- Medical exam, if ever required
- Any other third-party charges
No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision is always the visa officer's. Our role is to prepare, review, structure and present your file professionally from the documents and profile you provide.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Germany visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 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?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Germany cases the right way.
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Germany / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| 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.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Core Documents
7 items- VIDEX online application form (printed with barcodes, signed)Required
- Signed Declaration of True and Complete InformationRequired
- Signed Declaration on Travel and Health InsuranceRequired
- Valid passportRequired
Valid 3 months beyond return, 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years.
- Copy of biometric + address page + last page of Indian passportRequired
- One biometric photo 35×45mmRequired
White bg, 70–80% face coverage, ≤6 months old.
- Personal covering letterRequired
Purpose of visit, relationship to host, intended dates and itinerary.
Host Documentation (Family/Friend in Germany)
4 items- Original signed invitation letter from family/friend in GermanyRequired
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 GermanyRequired
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
1 item- Proof of accommodation at host's residenceRequired
Host's confirmation + signature + address proof + passport/German ID copy. OR hotel reservations if not staying with host.
Financial Documents
9 items- 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, stampedRequired
- 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
3 items- 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
2 items- Flight reservationRequired
Do NOT purchase tickets until visa is issued.
- Overseas travel medical insurance — €30,000 min, approved Indian insurerRequired
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
5 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
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.
- 02
Fill VIDEX + sign declarations
Fill videx.diplo.de, print with barcodes, sign. Also sign the Declaration of True Information and Travel Insurance declaration.
- 03
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.
- 04
Submit at VFS
In-person submission + biometrics. Pay €91 + ₹2,022. Optional services available.
- 05
Decision from Mumbai
15 working days standard processing. Passport returned at VFS or via courier.
What works
9 levers that flip a borderline case.
- 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.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Invitation letter missing host's passport/residence permit copy
- 2Host's sponsorship insufficient and applicant's own finances also weak
- 3Applicant's cover letter doesn't match host's invitation (different dates, different purpose)
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 the official VFS Global page for Germany
- 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
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Germany Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
Not mandatory — a simple invitation letter + sponsorship + host's bank statements can work. But a Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter from the local Ausländerbehörde) is the strongest financial proof and speeds processing.
Friends can invite you too — the German Consulate treats family and friend invitations under the same Visit Visa category. The host must be legally resident in Germany.
Include her Mutterpass (German maternity pass) with your application. This confirms the pregnancy timeline and strengthens your visit purpose.
Yes — the host just needs to be legally resident in Germany. Include a copy of the host's passport (first+last page if Indian) AND their German residence permit.
Yes — a minor can travel alone with notarized written consent from BOTH parents/guardians + passport copies of both parents. If one parent has sole custody, include the custody decree or death certificate of the other parent.
Yes — you must provide your own economic status proof (bank statements last 3 months) regardless of sponsorship. The Consulate wants to see that you have ties to India and aren't going to overstay.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
Before you apply
Two ways to file your Germany visa.
One quietly burns your fee, your trip and your record. The other gets it right the first time.
Do it yourself
The risky route
- You guess which papers Germany actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
The gamble
One mistake = fee, flights & record gone
With SureshotVisa
Professionally guided
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Germany file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind most Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Typical result
1200+ approvals · refused files rescued
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive Germany visa file on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by families
We've helped many families get their Germany visa — the easy way.
From first-time Germany visa applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided families through Germany's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
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.
View guideGermany 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.
View guideGermany Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Type A)
Schengen airport transit visa for Indian citizens transiting through a German airport's international zone without leaving it.
View guideGermany 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.).
View guideGermany Medical Treatment Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen visa for Indian citizens seeking specific medical treatment at a German hospital / clinic — up to 90 days.
View guideGermany 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.
View guideGermany 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.
View guideGermany 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.
View guideSource & 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.
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