Schengen Visa
German Schengen Visa Checklist For Visit/Family & Friends
Want to know
What is Schengen Visa ?
The German Schengen Visa for Visit, Family, and Friends allows you to travel to Germany for short stays to meet loved ones or attend personal visits. With this visa, you can enter Germany and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. To apply, you need the right documents, financial proof, travel insurance, and an invitation letter from your host in Germany. Our checklist and guidance make the process simple, helping you prepare every requirement step by step.
Schengen Visa
The German Schengen Visa for Visit, Family, and Friends allows you to travel to Germany for short stays to meet loved ones or attend personal visits. With this visa, you can enter Germany and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Understand the process below:
Timeline
A typical timeline for the visitor visa process is as follows:
Budget & Our Fees
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (INR) | Details |
| Our Consultation Fees | ₹35,000 Per Applicant | This covers all services, from initial consultation and document review to interview preparation and post-visa guidance. |
| Visa Application Fee | ~₹7,000 | This is the official fee for the Schengen visa, paid directly to the consulate or visa application center. |
| Travel Health Insurance | ₹3,500 - ₹6,000 | The cost of the mandatory travel health insurance policy. |
| Other Expenses | ~₹25,000 | This includes costs for document copies, photographs, and any personal travel to the consulate for your interview |
Documentation
Guide to necessary documents for guaranteed Schengen Visa
- Application Form
- Declarations: The signed “Declaration of True and Complete Information” and “Declaration of Travel with Valid Medical Insurance.”
- Passport
- Biometric Photo: At least one recent biometric passport-sized photo ( 35 x 45mm, white background, 70-80% face coverage).
- Personal Covering Letter: A letter explaining the purpose of your trip, your travel itinerary, and the duration of your stay.
- Flight Itinerary: A round-trip flight reservation.
Invitation Letter: An original, signed invitation letter from your host in Germany. This letter must include:- Your host’s address and contact details.
- The purpose and duration of your visit.
- Your name and passport number.
- A brief itinerary of your visit.
- Accommodation Proof:
- If staying in a hotel, provide hotel reservations.
- If staying with a host, provide a Formal Obligation Letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) and proof of your host’s address (e.g., a copy of their passport/ID and residence permit).
- If a German/EU resident is sponsoring you:
- Formal Obligation Letter (Verpflichtungserklärung): This is a mandatory letter issued by the local Foreigners’ Authority in Germany.
- Sponsor Letter: A signed letter from your sponsor.
- Sponsor’s Documents: Copies of the sponsor’s passport/ID and German residence permit (if applicable).
- Proof of Relationship: A copy of your marriage or birth certificate to prove your relationship to the sponsor.
- If you are funding the trip yourself:
- Bank Statements: Your bank statements for the last three months, stamped by the bank. Passbook copies are not accepted.
- Income Tax Returns (ITR): Acknowledgment for the last two assessment years (or Form 16).
- Additional Documents based on your employment status:
- Employed: Pay slips for the last three months, employment contract, and a leave sanction letter from your employer.
- Self-Employed/Company Owner: Company registration certificate (including GST number) and business bank statements for the last three months.
- Retired: Pension statements for the last three months.
- Student: A certificate of enrollment and a “No Objection Certificate” from your school or university.
- Unemployed: Your bank statements for the last three months.
- Proof of Civil Status:
- If married: Marriage certificate.
- If divorced/widowed: Divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate.
- If single: No additional documents required.
- Travel Medical Insurance: Proof of a travel insurance policy valid for all Schengen countries with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- For Minors: The application form and all declarations must be signed by both parents. You must also provide the child’s birth certificate and passport copies of both parents.
- Translations: All documents not in German or English must be submitted with a proper, notarized German or English translation.
- Processing Time: Applications are typically processed within 15 working days. Individual status inquiries are not answered during this time.
