Visa Germany from India
For Indian citizens: All information on applying for a visa for Germany from India
Migration from India to Germany
On this page you will find all the information you need to apply for a visa from your home country or country of residence . In this respect, special rules apply for each nationality . This applies not only to visa-free status, but also to the possibility of working and the qualifications required for this (see Section 26 of the Employment Ordinance ) and the question of whether the visa can be applied for directly in Germany (see Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance ). In this respect, some nationals are clearly privileged compared to other foreigners. This differentiation is not only evident in the possibility of applying for a visa at all, but also in the availability of appointments and processing speed at the respective embassies or foreign missions.
In this article on visa law for citizens of certain nationalities you will find out all the special visa regulations that apply to your nationality .
Table of Content
1. As an Indian to Germany
2. Requirements for a visa to Germany from India
2.1 GATS Agreement India Germany Visa (Section 29, Paragraph 5 of the Employment Ordinance)
2.2 Visa requirements for EU Blue Card from India
2.3 Visa requirements for study and job-seeker visa Germany from India
3. Application process for a visa to Germany as an Indian
3.1 Embassy and appointments Visa Germany from India
3.2 Get a visa appointment for Germany in India
3.3 Form and documents visa application Germany from India
3.4 Processing time for Germany visa from India
4. Golden Visa Germany from India
5. FAQ Visa Germany from India
1. As an Indian to Germany
India is one of the most important countries of origin for immigrants to Germany. India plays a leading role, especially in educational and labor migration (see Monitoring of educational and labor migration: Issuing residence permits to third-country nationals, BAMF 2023 ). Almost 20% of third-country students and around 13% of foreign skilled workers come from India, as the BAMF Monitoring 2023 shows. Indian citizens are also strongly represented in the EU Blue Card according to Section 18g of the Residence Act: 25.2% of holders of an EU Blue Card in Germany come from India . Most Indian immigrants live in Berlin, in the area of responsibility of the State Office for Immigration (LEA).
Indian skilled workers are particularly in demand in Germany because they are generally young and the Indian education system is highly recognized internationally and in Germany . This is especially true for the recognition of universities and degrees in Germany, which facilitates professional integration. Many Indian degrees are recognized in Germany, which is particularly advantageous when applying for the EU Blue Card (Section 18g of the Residence Act) and the Job Seeker Visa (Sections 20a and 20 of the Residence Act). This gives Indian citizens a better chance of entering the German labor market quickly and being successful in the long term.
Below you will find out everything you need to know about applying for the relevant visas from India.
2. Requirements for a visa to Germany from India
India is not one of the privileged nationalities in Germany, which is why Indian citizens are generally subject to visa requirements. A valid visa is therefore required to enter Germany (see the visa list of the Federal Foreign Office ). This applies to both long-term stays and short tourist stays. Indian citizens must therefore apply for a Schengen visa in accordance with Section 6 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) in order to be able to enter Germany. An exemption from the visa requirement is currently not provided for Indian travelers. It is recommended that you apply for the visa and the visa requirements in good time, as the processing time in India can be very long.
2.1 GATS Agreement India Germany Visa (Section 29, Paragraph 5 of the Employment Ordinance)
However, Germany and India are linked through the World Trade Organization (WTO) , which allows for special visa options and simplifies the requirements for applying for a visa from India. According to Section 19c Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act in conjunction with Section 29 Paragraph 5 of the Employment Ordinance, under certain conditions work visas can be issued to nationals whose countries have a free trade agreement with Germany. This is the case for India through the WTO's GATS agreement ( General Agreement on Trade in Services ). In certain cases, the agreement allows the posting of workers without formal recognition of qualifications. However, these simplifications do not apply to the EU Blue Card.
2.2 Visa requirements for EU Blue Card from India
The most popular residence permit from India for Germany is the EU Blue Card in accordance with Section 18g of the Residence Act. The requirements for applying for an EU Blue Card from India are basically the same as in all other countries (see our VISAGUARD guide to applying for an EU Blue Card ). What is special in the case of India, however, is that Indian citizens usually do not need a certificate evaluation or formal recognition of their degree in Germany, as many degrees have already been examined by the German recognition bodies (Anabin). This applies in particular to degrees from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (see IGNOU at Anabin) and the University of Delhi (see Delhi University at Anabin). For this reason, it is often particularly easy for Indians to apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany .
2.3 Visa requirements for study and job-seeker visa Germany from India
Indian citizens also benefit from the Indian education system, which is recognized in Germany, when applying for a study visa and a job-seeker visa (or an opportunity card). In many cases, Indian school qualifications meet all the requirements to apply for a study visa for Germany. The same applies to the job-seeker visa and the opportunity card.
You can find more information about the study visa in our VISAGUARD guide to studying in Germany . You can find more information about the Opportunity Card in the guide to the Job Seeker Visa and the Opportunity Card .
3. Application process for a visa to Germany as an Indian
3.1 Embassy and appointments Visa Germany from India
To apply for a visa for Germany from India, you must first book an appointment at the relevant embassy. You can find out which embassy is responsible for your visa application on the website of the German embassies in India . The website of the German embassies also has a so-called “consulate finder” for India . There are (in addition to the honorary consuls) the following German diplomatic missions in India:
You must then book an appointment at the relevant embassy or consulate general.
3.2 Get a visa appointment for Germany in India
To get a visa appointment at the German Embassy in India, you must either contact the Embassy by email (visa@newd.diplo.de) or make an appointment via the VFS Global 's automatic booking systems . Which route you need to take to book an appointment in India depends on your specific case. In most cases, you have to go through VFS Global. The German Embassy in India explains on its website which appointment booking works for which cases .
If you cannot get an appointment at the embassy, it is advisable to use the so-called accelerated skilled worker procedure in accordance with Section 81a of the Residence Act (see also the VISAGUARD guide to the accelerated skilled worker procedure ). With the accelerated skilled worker procedure, you will receive a preliminary approval from the Federal Employment Agency, which you can then use to book an appointment directly at the embassy by email (visa@newd.diplo.de) instead of with VFS Global. This is usually much quicker.
If the accelerated skilled worker procedure is not an option for you, then you will have to go the regular route of booking an appointment. If, despite many and lengthy attempts, you cannot get an appointment for a visa to Germany in India, the only thing that often helps is to hire a lawyer who can threaten and file a lawsuit for failure to act on your behalf . An independent lawyer certified by VISAGUARD will be happy to assist you with this.
3.3 Form and documents visa application Germany from India
At the appointment at the embassy in India, you will need to prepare numerous documents. You can find out which documents are required for the visa from the information sheets on the website of the German embassy in India . The application form (PDF) for the visa application is a printout of the so-called VIDEX form . You will need to provide numerous details on the VIDEX form. The VIDEX web app will then create a QR code for you, which will be scanned by the embassy. Please note that the VIDEX form must be signed personally . In addition to the documents and the VIDEX form, you must also submit a biometric photo for the visa. The exact requirements for the visa photo (photo size) can also be found on the website of the German embassies in India .
Regarding the documents, you should note that the German Embassy in India also requires a “Declaration on true and complete information” (PDF) and a printout of “Additional contact and legal representation information” (PDF) .
3.4 Processing time for Germany visa from India
The processing time for a visa in India is about 3 - 6 weeks for work visas. Family reunification visas usually take significantly longer, as approval from the immigration authorities in Germany must usually be obtained. Due to the overload of the immigration authorities, it can take several months to obtain approval.
To reduce the processing time of visa applications, we have written our own VISAGUARD Guide .
Once the visa has been issued, you can enter Germany and convert the visa into a residence permit. You can find more information on this in the VISAGUARD guide to applying for a residence permit .
4. Golden Visa Germany from India
In Germany, there is no direct "Golden Visa" program as is known in other countries. However, there are ways for Indian citizens to obtain a visa through investments (see only Section 7 of the Residence Act). One option is to purchase a property or set up a company in India (see Section 21 of the Residence Act). A corresponding visa can be applied for for an amount of around 250,000 - 500,000 euros. However, it should be noted that the issuing of investment visas in Germany is at the discretion of the authorities . The embassy can issue the visa, but does not have to. It is therefore advisable to commission a lawyer to arrange the Golden Visa or Investor Visa from India. An independent lawyer certified by VISAGUARD will be happy to advise you on the requirements and how to apply for a Golden Visa or Investor Visa from India.
As soon as the Golden Visa/Investors Visa has been issued, it can be converted into a permanent EU residence permit after a few years (Section 9a of the Residence Act). The permanent EU residence permit allows you to stay in Germany permanently and does not expire if you travel abroad (see Section 51, Paragraph 9 of the Residence Act). With the permanent EU residence permit, you can therefore spend large parts of the year in India and then come to Germany and the EU for a few days or weeks on holiday . The permanent EU residence permit can also be recognized in other EU countries , so that it ultimately entitles you to permanent residence throughout the EU without expiring if you stay abroad. Wealthy people from India in particular value this option very much.
5. FAQ Visa Germany from India
What is the rejection rate for visa applications for Germany in India?
The rejection rate of visa applications in India varies greatly depending on the type of visa. In general, it can be said that the rate is around 15% - 25% (see the Federal Government's response to the minor inquiry from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group - Document 20/10299 - on the effect of the German-Indian migration agreement of February 27, 2024 ). The most common reasons for rejection are forged documents and, in the case of Schengen visas, a lack of willingness to return.
How much does a visa for Germany cost in India?
The visa fee for German visas in India is 75 euros for adult applicants.
Where can I get the checklists for the necessary documents for a visa to Germany from India?
What health insurance do I need for a visa to Germany from India?
For a work visa for Germany, you need what is known as substitutive health insurance (Section 2, Paragraph 3, Sentence 3 of the Residence Act). One such insurance is statutory insurance with Techniker Krankenkasse (not an affiliate link). A list of travel health insurance policies recognized by the German embassies in India can be found on the website of the German Embassy in India .
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