Germany Visa Requirements

It depends on your nationality. Citizens from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and about 60 other countries can visit Germany and the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa. Most other nationalities, including India, China, Nigeria, and Pakistan, need a Schengen visa.

Yes, a Schengen visa issued by Germany grants access to all 29 Schengen member states including France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and more. You can travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Standard processing takes 15 calendar days, though it may extend to 30-45 days during peak season or if additional documents are required. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel. Some embassies offer expedited processing for urgent travel.

The Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6-12. Children under 6 are exempt. National (long-stay) visas cost €75. Additional service fees apply when applying through VFS Global or BLS International.

Required documents include a valid passport (3+ months validity beyond stay), completed application form, biometric photos, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage), proof of accommodation, flight itinerary, bank statements showing sufficient funds, and employment verification.

Germany has one of the highest Schengen visa approval rates. Overall approval is around 75-85%. Chinese and Filipino applicants see rates above 96%, Indians around 89%, while applicants from Bangladesh and Nigeria face higher refusal rates of 44-54%.

Apply at the German embassy or consulate in your country, or through authorized visa application centres (VFS Global, BLS International, or TLScontact depending on location). Appointments must be booked in advance, and biometrics are required for first-time applicants.

Apply to the country that is your main destination (longest stay). If visiting multiple countries equally, apply to the country of first entry. Applying to the wrong country can result in visa refusal.